Topic: potty training

A Devout EC Mom Tells Mommyish What The Press Is Getting Wrong

Postpartum doula and lactation counselor Sarah Longwell-Stevens is a stay-at-home mother of two. Among many other parenting accolades, including being an early childhood education specialist and a certified babywearing educator, Sarah is an advocate of elimination communication (EC) — a childrearing practice in which parents learn to read baby’s cues that it’s time for potty without relying solely on diapers.

She has been recently quoted in the now highly clickable DNAinfo.com piece, espousing the virtues of this “au natural parenting trend” that is allegedly sweeping through Brooklyn. But Sarah tells Mommyish that the press’s depiction of her as a deranged helicopter mom is all wrong — as is the sensationalizism of EC. Turns out EC parents do use diapers, claim that there is less cleanup, and overall less potty training struggle. Sarah admits that she too initially thought the tactic was “batshit” and nearly gave up herself. Oh, and she also doesn’t let her kids poop and pee all over Brooklyn. More »

Going Diaperless Is All The Rage Among Hip, Urban Babies

Sometimes I really miss Brooklyn. Then I read something like this article that was in The New York Times this week and I really don’t. It seems going diaperless in public is all the rage amongst the hipster mommy circles in New York. What the hell? More »

13 Must-Haves For Parents Attempting Elimination Communication

Towels you don't mind getting pooped and peed on

Since elimination communication is reportedly the swanky new parenting philosophy that all the hip mommies and daddies are doing these days, a hot accessory list is obviously in order. Grab a pen. We’re going to do this right. More »

Potty Training Is My Favorite Part Of Parenting

I love potty training.

It’s not because I love cleaning poop off my lap. And it’s not because I have a magic method that works instantly — I do elimination communication, which means I start “potty training” (in the loosest possible sense) at birth and continue for at least a couple of years. So even though my kids are out of diapers around their second birthday, I spend the entirety of those two years actively teaching them to use the potty.

No, I love potty training because it teaches me so much about parenting. And really, about life. More »

STFU Parents: How Not To Act With Your Child In Public, As Told By Parents On Facebook

I’m one of those people who really doesn’t care if a crying baby gets on my plane or sits behind me at a restaurant (unless the restaurant is so upscale that I wore a nice dress). I can drown out noises that happen because of human nature. What I can’t drown out, however, and what I refuse to tolerate are parents who allow their children to throw food, tantrums, or run all over the place without supervision. You know who I’m talking about. The parents who think the world is their changing table, and throw dirty diapers at drivers they don’t like. The parents who act like the rest of civilization is the problem, certainly not them. More »

I’m Learning That Not All Daycares Are Poop Friendly

I have recently heard two stories about parents having to leave work because their kids have had a “dirty” diaper. My cousin’s 2-year-old is in “school” for a few hours a day. She recently has been called because her daughter pooped and because of licensing they aren’t allowed to change her diaper. So my cousin has to leave work, change her daughter’s diaper and go back. Not only is this a major inconvenience but her daughter gets so excited when her Mommy shows up and wants to leave with her. More »

Angelina Jolie Is Completely Correct — Dealing With Your Child’s Poop Is A Rather Humbling Experience

How does Angelina Jolie stay grounded? What with all of the fans and media obsession and constant nonsense about being one of the most beautiful people in the world, it could surely go to a girl’s head. Well, according to a quote from Total Film magazine, the award-winning actress keeps a level head on her shoulders thanks to her children. Specifically, thanks to their bowel movements. More »

You Probably Don’t Need A Huge Parade When Your Kid Flushes The Toilet During Potty Training, Or Grown Men Dressed As Toilets

I think every parent makes a big deal out their kids potty training, using everything from reward stickers to toy store promises to clapping and praising and generally acting like their kid just discovered the cure for cancer, but the majority of us don’t include 10,000 pieces of confetti toilets in the celebration. We all suck as parents you guys. More »

Something Called The ‘iPotty’ Actually Exists

A new toilet training tool called the iPotty made its debut at CES 2013. I’m not sold on iPads for toddlers. This thing might make me change my mind. Emphasis on the word “might.” More »

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STFU Parents: The Naked Truth About Children And Nudity On Social Media

Technically, you’re not supposed to post pictures with nudity on the site because doing so violates Facebook’s Terms Of Services, but rules were meant to be broken, especially according to the parents of babies and young children. In fact, many of the parents who happily post pictures of their kids naked will likely tell anyone who disagrees with their decision that “babies aren’t sexual” and “there’s nothing wrong with a naked baby.” I’ve even seen parents imply that if you think a picture of a naked child on Facebook is inappropriate, then you’re the one with the problem. (By “problem” they mean, “There’s nothing wrong with a naked baby, you sick pervert.”) More »

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