As a parent, there’s a daily ritual that fills me with dread: entering my daughter’s room after a nap or in the morning. My heart races as I hope against all odds that today will be different. My eyes scan the room, and there it is—a diaper on the floor, the very one she wore to bed. I look up to meet her sparkling blue eyes as she cheerfully exclaims, “Hi! Poo buuur! Pooh pooh. No no!” while pointing at the offending diaper. Yes, “Poo buuur” is her version of Pooh Bear.
This has become a regular occurrence—nearly every day for the last two months. Sometimes it’s poop, sometimes pee, and occasionally both. I’ve gained a PhD in what strategies fail miserably. Yes, that’s right, I said it twice for emphasis! So, grab my hand and let’s navigate this chaotic journey together—my chaos, your entertainment.
The Beginning of the Chaos
It all began with subtle clues that hinted at what was to come. My daughter would frequently remove her shirt during the day or pull it down to expose just one arm. Then came the naps. I’d find her shirt in various states of disarray, and once, she managed to pull her footed pajamas down to her waist, arms flailing in the air.
Then came the morning when I walked in to find her completely unclothed. Well, not entirely true—she was covered in poop. Dehydrated, she produced little pellets and flung them like confetti across a six-foot radius from her crib. To add to the mess, she had smeared some on her body and even tasted it. Thankfully, my husband was off to work, so I whisked her away for a quick bath while my kind sister-in-law tackled the cleanup.
Back to the Routine
Hoping this was just a one-off incident, we returned to our normal routine, only to repeatedly find the diaper on the floor. I’ve become quite proficient at changing crib sheets, wiping down the crib, and cleaning the carpet and walls.
Mornings are a dance of chaos. My husband gets our daughter up while I nurse in bed. I often hear him enter her room, followed by her chatter and his low voice. If I hear water running, I know we’re in trouble—water running equals poop. One night, he went in to comfort her, only to realize there was no diaper in sight.
Desperate Measures
Duct tape became our go-to solution, but she quickly learned to remove it. We tried longer strips, and she managed to outsmart us again. Cold baths became a frequent consequence for her little escapades. Each time I would point at the diaper on the floor, saying, “No, no!” until she began cheerfully preempting me with her own “No, no!”
Recently, we traveled to Texas to visit family, and I thought her sleeping in a kids’ tent would solve the issue, as it was too small to stand in. Nope! In the middle of a family gathering, my husband walked in holding our naked daughter at arm’s length, bath water running in the background. More than once, she handed us her diaper with a bright “poopoo,” whether it was clean or dirty.
A Glimmer of Hope
The one lifesaver I’ve found is a special onesie that snaps between the legs. Hallelujah! But I only have a few, and putting her in one beneath her fleece pajamas at night makes her too warm. Ugh!
If you find yourself in a similar situation, know that you are not alone! I’ve learned to find the humor in it (not in front of her, though) and look forward to sharing this story at her wedding rehearsal dinner someday. While these moments may be messy (pun intended), I’m grateful for her naps, her ability to express herself, and the washing machine that helps us through it all. Focusing on the little things has given me a fresh perspective on this small trial that is now part of our family story.
Further Reading
For more parenting adventures, check out this article on our blog! And remember, resources like Make a Mom and News Medical offer excellent insights on pregnancy and home insemination.
Conclusion
In summary, navigating a toddler’s refusal to keep their diaper on can be challenging, but finding humor and gratitude in the chaos can help ease the stress. As we deal with the ups and downs of parenthood, it’s essential to remember that you’re not alone in this journey.