Potty Training Answer - Toothfxr

Hello Steve, We miss you too. We might not be good golfers but I don't think anyone else enjoyed bad golf as much as us. On to your question - "Any thoughts on potty training an almost 4 year old boy who is either lazy or feels dad will always be there to clean up after him?"
Ok, I have a couple of ways to handle potty training. First there is the traditional way with much yelling, beatings and frustration and it usually yields dismal results and big time messes. Both literally and emotionally. If you have a strong desire to be in therapy and send your 4 year old off to great start in life... go this route. Second there is the positive reinforcement route. Some of our boys have responded well to this. Go to the store and buy one of those 20 packs of little matchbox cars and reward the dirty deed. We only gave cars for #2 and maybe jelly beans for #1. The third method which is difficult to commit to and usually takes time, patience and close-pins is the "wait and let it happen" plan. Believe it or not, this is the way our #5, #6 and #7 boys have made the conversion from Diapers to "Big Boy Underwear" This last way seems to be the best route so far. You still have to remind them to go sit on the pot and try to go. Also, you reward them with letting them pick out their new BVDs. Sponge Bob is one of my favorites but it gets frustrating when I have to go to the boys' room to find my drawers. I hope this helps. Oh yea and for anyone that is wondering... Potty training boys is no picknic but if you let them pee outdoors... it makes picknics easier and speeds up the potty training.

Europe for Teens

When I was 15 I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a summer in Europe. It was a great learning experience. Most people think that traveling to Europe is out of reach financially and wait until they are older to finally experience it but I suggest it is easier to do it early in life. If a teen works very hard during the year and saves their money it is possible to make the trip on a very tight budget. Before college, work, adult life in general is quite possibly the best time to make it happen. I suggest doing some serious planning first including but not limited to... interviewing people who have lived in Europe, checking on pricing for Eurail passes (get the 1st class one... it is well worth it in the long run), start writing letters to youth groups at parishes in the countries you would like to visit, get your passport and lastly get in shape. I stayed with youth groups in Ireland and Begium and it didn't cost me a penny. I bought a heavy duty backpack with an aluminum frame. I hiked a lot. Stayed with families in England, Ireland, Belgium, Austria and in a kibbutz in Israel. There are also youth hostels which I recommend only as a last resort. With the proper planning you should not have any trouble finding places to stay in "Covenant Christian Carismatic Communities"or church youth groups. Also, if you time it right, you may even be invited to join them as they usually have trips and camps during the summer months. I had the great pleasure of hiking across the Ardennes from France back to Brussels. We spent a week together, sleeping under the stars and trying to communicate with 4 different languages represented. It was awesome. One trick to remember... Travel at night on the train. This will save you from having to pay for a hotel room as you can sleep on the train. Plus, you have all day to check out the local area in the light! Europeans are very hospitable people. Be careful because you may come back fat. They will feed you and feed you and then feed you some more. You will have a great time and usually after a couple of months, you will be ready to return home with a newfound appreciation for the good ole' US of A. Rollerblades can be helpful in some cities, imposible in others. Rome is the 2nd most hilly city in the world after Mexico City (or so I've heard) and unless you are a great skater I'd suggest walking or taking the bus when there. I skated. It was great. The younger locals loved it. The older ones hated it. The hills nearly killed me but it sure was faster than walking.
My Favorite Cities:
1) Innsbruck Austria (Ski Stubai, even if you don't ski... You will never forget it)
2) Rome Italy (Hang out on the spanish steps by trevi fountain)
3) Capri Italy (take the tour of the "Blue Grotto")
4) Geneva Sui (take a bus to Bern "The Most Beautiful Place on Earth" tough to argue with)
5) Dubrovnik Croatia (Yugoslavia when I was there. What a beach!!!)

Blog Comments

Everyone likes to be recognized. When you speak to someone for the first time it is polite to use their name repeatedly. This helps you remember their name and builds raport. It makes them feel more comfortable talking with you and vice versa. I think the same applies to blogging. When you read someones blog it is polite to comment on it. Agree or disagree it is nice to get feedback and it is welcome. Ask questions when you don't understand their perspective or when you disagree. My Dad used to say, "Praise in public and punish in private" and I try to follow that advice. Pleople seem to think that I am confontational but I think I am just curious and inquisitive. I will ask a lot of questions when I do not understand someone or something. I was told in school that arguing is meant to unearth the truth... Not to win by proving the other person wrong. I agree. It is better to learn and know than to persuade. Please post comments. The more comments I get, the more likely I will want to respond. Share your thoughts, questions and concerns. It will make everything more interesting. Thanks, DD