Toilet Training - The Potty

Decades ago in the 1960's, 80% of all babies were potty trained by the age of 18 months. Today, the average is closer to 36 months (3 years) - in other words it has almost doubled in a shade under fifty years. The technology of the modern diaper is largely to blame because they are now so absorbent that the baby can hardly feel any discomfort when an accident occurs and therefore has no reason to want to get out of diapers. Back in the old days of the cotton diapers, it wasn't comfortable and you'd soon know as a parent if the baby needed changing!

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It was called "using" when I was a young mother. As stated before I could write numerous pages on the subject. All I can suggest, is just be prepared to spend hours and hours in a "bathroom". If you travel out of state during this time in your child's life, be prepared to see many bathrooms/rest rooms. Believe me, everywhere you take your child, the child will have to "use". Every trip you take, your child will have to "use". In the home of friends, your child will have to "use".

Children can "smell" at this age. They can smell a toilet. Every bathroom will inspire your child to use, (those within a 25 mile radius.)

Of course the odds that your child will actually "use" are slim to none.

Avoid, "out of state" traveling. If this, "out of state" traveling cannot be avoided, allow at least several days of extra travel time for your child to "use".

In today's world, you may want to invest in those big boy/girl pants. You could save allot of time.

The Ear Tube Issue

The baby is almost a year old and that little bundle of joy still cries most of the night. He has been to the doctor's office, at least once every two weeks for the last several months. The doctor says, "It appears you have a healthy baby. But, but, but, maybe the baby needs ear tubes." Of course, almost every parent eagerly agrees. I mean, anything to get the baby to sleep at night, as well as the parents.

The tubes have been put in and still the baby does not sleep well on most nights.

Are tubes in the ears necessary? I really do not know.

Not one person I know, who is my age, has ever had ear tubes. But this was the 1950's and 1960's. However, not one of my children had "ear tubes".

When did the "tympanostomy" make it's debut? And does it really help? I am not sure. It did help one of my grandchildren, or so it appears. But, the other still cries all night.

Those "ear tubes", are they ALL really necessary? I am still not convinced.

Of course, I remind myself that in the 1950's, 1960's and early 1970's, there were hardly any daycare facilities. These facilities, so common in the 1980's through this day, may be spreading these ear infections.

Yet, this evening, while attempting to gather more information on this "tympanostomy" procedure, I came across this little gem. More than 500,000 children undergo this procedure. In the end, long term studies have called the necessity of routine ear tube surgery into question. I am still not certain what my opinion is just yet.

Roll back to 1962. My grandmother, on why cousin "t-putt, putt" was still crying. "Well he is a digger. I saw him digging in the toilet and his diaper and he put his fingers in his mouth. His stomach is upset. That's why he cries all night."

Of course,no medical research has come out to support Maw Maw Tib's theory, but there is no medical research to disprove it.

Special Thoughts Through The Years

Stage 1 - The Pregnancy

Heartburn, hemorrhoids, hormones, Triple "H".
The thought:  These three words represent the good old days, when life was simple and carefree.

Stage 2 - Newborn -1 year

Diaper rashes, spit-up and poop, oh my.
The thought:  I remember pure cornstarch working wonders for diaper rash and thinking NO my life will never be the same again.

Stage 3 - 1-2 years old

My many purchases of designer baby clothes.
The thought:  Learn from my mistake. Save your money.  You will need it.  When your child is old enough he/she will "demand" designer clothes.

Stage 4 - 2-3 years old


Shopping with a child.
The thought:  Again learn from my mistake.  You will not be able to shop in peace and should avoid shopping,  Shopping with your child at this age is almost impossible and will shorten your life expectancy by at least 10 years.

Stage 5 - 3-5 years old

Traveling and buying the things my child demanded.  At this age they "want" things.
The thought:  Even if you give in and buy your child what he/she wants (all in an effort to preserve your sanity), when you get home the item will break or will not work, "like it did on television."  Your child will scream and cry anyway. Save your money, let them cry at the mall.

Stage 6 - 5-15 years old

Joining and quitting
The thought:  Gasoline is not cheap (even in my day). They do not have to "join" everything. Because they will "quit". See definitions.

Stage 7 - 15-18 years old

Aggravated battery is felony, punishable by law.
The thought:  Control yourself, aggravated battery is a felony, aggravated battery is a felony ...

Here is my beautiful family today (minus Libby Claire).  Nothing in the world means more to me than my family.