Going Pee Pee on the Potty

So we have begun potty training Cecelia. She is 17 months old and has been showing all the signs that she is ready and gets it (crying when she goes in her diaper, showing interest when we go on the potty, flushing the toilet, going in her diaper IN the bathroom, etc). I have received a lot of feedback from people that she is too young and i should just make life easier and wait a few more months until summer/ she is older. People tell me this like i don't know it's hard to potty train a nonverbal YOUNG and strong willed girl. They say things that make me feel like they don't trust my instincts as a mother. They piss me off and i want to slap them.

I know she is young and if i had it my way i would wait until summer when she can run around naked and get it done in 2 days! However there's more to the story than me hating changing diapers (true story it's easier than cleaning my carpet when she craps on it).

Cecelia has allergies (we all know!) and a result is SEVERE excema all over her body and especially in delicate parts, behind her knees, on her ankles, her shoulders and HER DIAPER AREA! The places don't get a lot of air flow and therefore her skin is awful! i can't count the amount of times people ask me how she got injured and scraped BEHIND HER KNEES. there's nothing i can do about it that i'm not already doing (and thanks for making me feel like an incompetent mom, lady at the mall who has NO CLUE why my daughter is covered in a rash and sores). We lotion her at least once an hour using 3 different lotions (one to heal, one to moisturize and one to seal), we see the dermatologist, i purged my house of anything she's allergic to so not even crumbs can cause her to react and we keep our house MUCH WARMER than i would like. She has a humidifier i clean and fill daily and She wears summer clothes in the winter to avoid her sweating or getting over heated. I work all day every day to ensure she isn't scratching, but half the time i can't stop myself from scratching when i'm itchy, let alone my 1.5 year old.

What does all this have to do with potty training, well the worst area is her diaper area. There's no airflow down there and with a diaper, onsies AND pants it gets very warm down there. We tried cloth diapers for a year and she but was so raw her skin peeled off in my hand one day. Then we tried disposables and she got excema so bad it looked like chemical burns on her butt. we tried cloth aloe wipes, fancy disposable wipes, spraying water with no wipes, baths multiple times a day, one bath a week, every lotion possible, new cloth diapers, old cloth diapers, stripping cloth diapers daily, 5 different brands and a variety of sized diapers.... no matter what her poor but was raw. She squats instead of sitting and i can't help but think it's because her butt ALWAYS hurts.

So our solution is to potty train. It's taking longer than normal, but she is young and doesn't have the ability to tell us when she needs to go. She's also a normal busy toddler who can't be inconvenienced by sitting on the toilet, there are things to do people!

I read every book, researched methods and even though they all say to wait a bit; however i don't have a choice. my daughter deserve to not have a fiery burning pain on her ass all day. We got some undies and a potty seat for Christmas for her and Jan 2 we started. She is doing REALLY REALLY well for a young kid who can't tell us when she needs to go.

Day 1: sat every 30 minutes, got a skittle for sitting and 4 or 5 when she peed on the toilet. No pants all day just bare but! 1 accident and it was while i was peeing on the potty (monkey see monkey do, i have to sneak my pees now or hold it until nap time). Dry after nap adn went on potty after nap! Successful but exhausting day one!

Day 2: ask about every hour and sit her when she says yes. Naked butt again irst half of day and underwear second half of the day. She had 2 big accidents, one she said "OOPS" as she started peeing and ran (while peeing) to the bathroom. BEST kind of accident because i know she is getting it! Second one again while i peed!

Day 3: she did great for Kel. in underwear and pant for the day and only had accidents for me, but went every time for Kel. He is amazing with her and very patient for this whole process, however i am the caregiver while he works and i kinda need her to pee for me! One accident in the car on our way to church but then went pee pee at grandma and grandpas!

Day 4: she was being an intentional stinker. she would look at me and pee on the floor while smiling and laughing. i know she gets it, but i also know she is my kid and thinks that's funny. she went every time on the potty for kel though!

Day 5: SNOW DAY! Kel is on potty duty all day hoping it clicks before i take over tomorrow. she gets it and goes on the potty 80% of the time when we are paying attention. I see this as win for only being 17 months old!

So i am sick and tired of hearing people's opinions, especially if they don't know the whole story. It's not easy but it's easier than watching my daughter in pain from her diapers.  I am doing a GREAT job as a mother and as her mother. i have taken on all the hurdles and challenges we've had and gone with it. she is a happy and spirited little girl who gets everything she wants or needs and knows it. I love her more than words can describe and i NO LONGER need the approval or opinions of other people. Since getting pregnant i have looked to others for approval or advice or acceptance and after all the crap i've heard lately about potty training my young toddler i feel NO MORE NEED for approval. I know i'm right and everyone can take their thoughts and opinions and keep them to themselves.

wow just typing that is liberating.

UPDATE: Day 6- NO accidents (2 poops in her pants, but that is a different battle for a different day, she does not have a regular poop schedule and i'm jsut happy she poops some days!). SUPER pumped! she consciously went on the toilet every time. you could actually see her controlling when to go and when to hold.