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Originally Posted By Terri

I just wanted to let you all know that we are leaving tomorrow morning to meet our new son Anthony. We will be staying all day with him and his foster parents and then he will spend the night with us at our hotel. On Saturday, we will be bringing him home for good! I can't believe that after tomorrow I will be someone's mommy! I also found out that his foster mother hasn't started potty training him yet, he is 3 yrs old. I'm not going to start trying till at least this summer. I'll let you all know how it goes.

Terri
Mommy to Anthony

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When my dau was to the potty training age I can remember people talking about when a child "should" be potty trained. Don't panic...there is no magic age. Particularly when you are talking about a child transitioning from foster care.

I just read an article today that quoted an unknown source as saying "It will take as many years as a child lived without you for them to truly bond and be comfortable with you". While that may sound disheartening, it actually seems to be a good rule of thumb. Some children move ahead more quickly and some will take longer. Individuals, you know!

This all ties in to potty training because you need to NOT feel pressured that since he's 3 he has to be potty trained soon. I have a feeling our son (he was 27 mo when he moved in with us and is 33 mo now) will be a "late" potty trainer. He's had alot to do getting to know his new family and I just don't see him being ready for another 6 months at least. Maybe he'll up and surprise me, but don't underestimate the impact of a new home and family on a young child's capabilities to cope with many things.

On a side bar -- I've noticed that Son's skin is sensitive to begin with, but when he is emotionally or physically stressed his skin is especially so. When he gets a cold it's a given that he'll get a rash -- diaper, tummy, whatever. It is the same when he's emotionally stressed - more ecsema and/or rashes. This is an indicator to me that even though he is not able to express vocally what is going on there is ALOT going on inside.

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Originally Posted By Pam

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Originally Posted By barki

When my dau was to the potty training age I can remember people talking about when a child "should" be potty trained. Don't panic...there is no magic age. Particularly when you are talking about a child transitioning from foster care.

I just read an article today that quoted an unknown source as saying "It will take as many years as a child lived without you for them to truly bond and be comfortable with you". While that may sound disheartening, it actually seems to be a good rule of thumb. Some children move ahead more quickly and some will take longer. Individuals, you know!

This all ties in to potty training because you need to NOT feel pressured that since he's 3 he has to be potty trained soon. I have a feeling our son (he was 27 mo when he moved in with us and is 33 mo now) will be a "late" potty trainer. He's had alot to do getting to know his new family and I just don't see him being ready for another 6 months at least. Maybe he'll up and surprise me, but don't underestimate the impact of a new home and family on a young child's capabilities to cope with many things.

On a side bar -- I've noticed that Son's skin is sensitive to begin with, but when he is emotionally or physically stressed his skin is especially so. When he gets a cold it's a given that he'll get a rash -- diaper, tummy, whatever. It is the same when he's emotionally stressed - more ecsema and/or rashes. This is an indicator to me that even though he is not able to express vocally what is going on there is ALOT going on inside.

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Our daughter (4) has eczema and sensitive skin also. When rashes,etc. appear, I give her a 20 min. soak in Aveeno Daily Moisturizing Bath. It has worked wonders for her! Hope this helps.

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Congratulations! Such an exciting time for you and your family. I can't wait to hear all about Anthony. Enjoy!

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Originally Posted By barki

I'd just used baby oil in his bath, which is so messy to clean up after. I do bathe him daily since he's still in diapers. We just "lube him up" after every bath. He's like a little pasha -- he lays there while we put his lotion (spf 15 creamy baby lotion) on his back, legs, arms, etc. Then he turns over and we do the other side. It's been a mini-massage for him each night. Now he demands it after every bath! LOL

I also use a super concentrated calendula oil on his worst spots. I've had good success with it clearing up the spot of ecsema behind son's ear. The spot is at the bottom of his ear, right where the lobe connects to his head. It kept splitting and I couldn't find ANYTHING that would keep it cleared up -- until this oil! Yeah! It hasn't split for over a week so I'm keeping my fingers and toes crossed.