wee ones babies like pretty faces better than plain ones according to University of Texas researchers

[0–18 months] i see you

Independent is defined as free from outside control; not depending on another's authority. We can all agree that independence is great…sure, wonderful! But when you’re talking about your independent wee one, it is more like terrifying!

When we bring our wee ones home, we are ready for the job at hand. Late nights, little sleep, sore nipples, lots of laundry and thousands of diapers. We are ready to be THE caregiver for our very dependant wee one.

Fast forward a few months, and your wee one is doing more than just sleeping, eating and pooping. He is ready to engage his world, investigate and explore. You can’t stop it [and shouldn’t want to], so you need to embrace your wee one’s venture for independence:

• early start Even at a very young age we can help our wee one become more independent. Lots of tummy time, letting him reach and work to get toys he wants rather than just giving them to him and putting him to bed while he is still awake so he can fall asleep on his own are things that teach coping skills and independence.

• survey the scene Unless you love to hear the sound of your own voice repeatedly say, “No,” make sure your home is safe and your mobile wee one can experience some freedom. Plug electrical sockets, block stairs, keep dangerous items out of reach and make sure tempting rooms with non-wee one friendly items are inaccessible.

• this or that Very quickly your wee one will show you his very own, unique personality. And with that his likes and dislikes, so let him make some choices. What toy to bring in the car, which outfit to wear or which snack to eat are great opportunities for your wee one to express himself.

While your wee one is becoming more independent, don’t be surprised if he also hits a rough patch of separation anxiety, usually around 10 to 24 months. This is normal, but if your wee one cannot bear to be without you or if he is left with someone else and remains inconsolable well after you have left, consider talking to your trusted physician.

All is quiet…eerie quiet. You know the type of quiet that isn’t calm, but rather a precursor of something looming. And then it happens…from the shadows of the bathroom…a declaration loud enough to scare the birds from the trees…”MOOOOM! I’M DONE!!!” Cue the official butt wiper… everybody poops

Yep, everybody does it, but teaching our tots how to remove the evidence after the fact is a little more tricky. Wiping…they gotta do it, so you gotta teach it. That is unless you enjoy a full moon a time or two each day. I didn’t think so. So, here are some tips for proper bum wiping:

• tp please The first matter of business is quantity of toilet paper. For your tot a spinning roll of toilet paper is like a day at the amusement park…weeeee! Let your tot know how much is needed. If he is able to count, tell him how many squares are appropriate or give him a reference point such as the TP being the length from his elbow to his fingertips. Then show him how to hold the TP so the poo gets on the TP and not his fingers.

• which way Let’s face it, odds are bum wiping isn’t going to be easy right away. Short arms and perfecting a technique can be challenging, so right away you will need to help. Whether a front or back reach is how your tot wants to get to the clean up area, is his preference, but for our girly tots, hammer home the importance of wiping front to back to insure bacteria doesn’t get near her vagina. So again be ready to help, but make sure your tot is doing it too. You can both have your hands on the TP, so your tot can practice what you are doing.

• enough Now you need to tell your tot to look at the TP before dropping it in the toilet. Evidence still visible? Need another swipe. As your tot is able to do the wiping on his own, make sure you do some spot checks and inspect his work from time to time. Or if you start to notice undie streaks on laundry day, time for a refresher course with your tot.

• last but not least Get those hands clean. No one leaves the bathroom without a good hand washing.

Consistency and patience —that’s what needs to be in your potty training tool kit. Your tot will get it…eventually!