Well, we seem to have entered a new phase in the long road of toilet training. The underwear phase. So far so good, but we are only on day three.
Three days ago, after pooping in the toilet of a local restaurant and not wanting to put his semi-wet diaper back on I decided to just leave it off for a while. Then when we got home we tried some underpants and so far he is very motivated to keep them dry. At home I still usually keep him bare-bottomed, but yesterday and today we are spending the bulk of the day away from home at a summer fair in our town.
He has been "house-trained" for a while in that he asks to go outside to pee (fun) or uses his little potty if he is diaperless in the house. Away from home and at night we have just been doing diapers until the other day. He has this thing with his hand where it's very hard for him to pull up or down pants, so I am not adding that part in yet. Also, when we do go out he wears underpants but no shorts or pants over top - it seemed like a good idea because it helps him notice his fabulous underpants. Plus where we live it works out for him to just wear panties and no one is weird about it.
I try not to nag him to go pee too much and he is (though I have heard otherwise) able to go most of the time if I ask him to (like before we leave the house, he can also stop if he starts to go indoors) and i am being pretty calm about it, but it's such a weird thing. I think toilet training is one of those parenting things that I really worry about. I don't want to cause a problem or do it too early, but he seemed pretty ready (knows before he goes, gets the idea, likes underpants, is very focused, doesn't get over-absorbed in activities to the extent that having to stop and go to a bathroom would cramp his style, he's over two (2 years and a few months) and I am pretty much always with him so I don't have to worry too much about someone else doing weird stuff with him or turning him off to the idea) But I am still nervous. I keep hearing that boys can't be really ready until they are three or older. ANd maybe that's true for some of it - going without any assistance and handwashing and stuff, but he seems ready for being able to tell me he needs to go and wearning underpants during the day - which is all I am interested in at this point anyway. Am I missing something really obvious here, or is this ok? I hear so many horror stories and don't want to create one if I can help it.