These past days, I noticed that Vito’s wetter than usual even with his large size diapers. Is this a sign that I should start to toilet train him? Or is it still too early?Some say that a child can be toilet trained as early as 18 months but others think that it’s better to intervene at 2 years or more. Vito’s nearing 18 months. I’m just concerned that I might not be able to teach him well.

According to Freud’s psychosexual stages of development, toilet training may result to an anal retentive or anal expulsive personality depending on the response of the child and these may have long-term effects on a child’s character.

Freud labeled on character type the ANAL RETENTIVE, the child who learns to hold back his or her feelings to gain the approval of others. If training or punishment is too strict, the child may learn to defend himself from being guilty by becoming compulsively near, orderly, obedient, and by holding back his feelings and needs.

Anal-retentives learn to live up to the expectations of others to avoid punishment and to receive praise. Forever after they may become dependent on others for their feelings of self-worth. They may have to “achieve” to win the affection and attention of others to make them feel worthy. Often the “over-achievers” in the world are anal-retentive character types. Some may become compulsive “workaholics”, dependent for their identity and worth on their achievement at work.

The ANAL-EXPULSIVE character type is self-confident, assertive, outgoing and is relatively uninhibited. The expulsive expresses feelings easily and is independent in thought and action. A persuasive, expressive type, the expulsive is often chosen to be a leader. Expulsives have a low tolerance for frustration. They are the two-year old who wants his way and may “blow up” in a temper tantrum if something stands in the way of their pleasure.

Expulsives tend to be disorganized and messy, but very creative and imaginative. Expulsives live life on their own schedules and are often late. They feel little shame or guilt for their actions. Expulsives are self-confident, free and spontaneous in action, but rarely predictable. Expulsives tend to be sensation-seekers who love adventure and travel. Psychodynamic Development

With these facts, I have to make sure that Vito is ready for toilet training. I don’t wanna be too strict or too lenient, either. It’s a difficult stage and one day, I have to face it head on.

I saw this toilet training ad from Japan (via YouTube). Check it out. You might learn from it!

How did you toilet train your child? Or are you also about to toilet train your child?

I was tagged by newest blog buddy, Arlene. All I have to do is enumerate the things I hate. Hmmm… Hate is such a strong word. Haha. Let’s see what will come out of my hate list.

1. Food I hate. Anything that tastes too bitter. I also don’t like main dishes that are sweet.

2. Fruits I hate. It definitely wouldn’t be durian. I grew up in Davao City and that means, I too grew up with durian. I super love it. My husband doesn’t. I soo love fruits but if there’s one fruie I would not eat, that would be “chico.” I think it has got something to do with the sandy texture. I was still a kid when I first ate chico. Never tried to eat it again.

3. Veggies I hate. When I was a kid, I hated a lot of vegetables especially “ampalaya” and “okra.” But hubby, who’s a veggie-lover, taught me to eat all types of vegetables when we were still bf-gf in college so right now, I take in anything. But perhaps, okra will still be the least loved veggie (because of the texture, again).

4. Celebrities/People that I hate. Rosanna Roces. No need to explain. Haha.

5. Event/Situation/Incident that i hate. I hate it when taxi drivers don’t give change or ask more than what’s on the meter. In Davao, the taxi drivers give you your change up to the last cent.

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