2015...the year the was.

I did start blogging actively in 2015, but unfortunately, I was not able to keep the momentum going. Overall this was a good year, though we as a family did have to go through two huge losses in the year. My dad-in-law and my grand mom expired, this meant, I had to explain the concept of death to Z. We were able to do pretty well on that front, she did get a little upset though.

Professionally, Alhamdullilah, I did pretty well. I did start a kid's reading library of my own, I realized a childhood dream. It is not easy to balance entrepreneurship and mommiehood, but it is not impossible, actually it is absolutely worth it.

Enough about me, since the name of this blog is Being Zoe's Mum, let us talk about the person whose always in spotlight, at least as far as BZM is concerned. Here are a couple of things which happened in 2015:

• We graduated to chapter books, we still don't want to let go of our picture books (Mum hopes we never do that). Roald Dahl, Enid Blyton and Amelia Bedelia Chapter books are our favorite. 
• We visited Mussoorie, such a beautiful beautiful place. 
• We made lots of new friends.
• We got a new hangout, the Reading Room (Oh! I love that place, I can sit there for hours)
• We had our first dental operation, and everyone says I was super brave
• We had our first birthday party
• We turned 5 (yay!)

I hope 2016 turns out to be totally rocking, happy and super healthy for Z, Fizz & Me. Here's wishing the same for all of you.

My Little World Explorer

Monuments... World monuments are what Zoe is into these days. I'm a super happy mum. I learned to appreciate world monuments from my mum and Z has got it from don't know who, because both Fizz and me love to read about different monuments around the world. Right now, her focus is on the wonders of the world or the really popular (at 4 I didn't even know any of those existed).

A huge thank you to her teacher and her school, she knows about Eiffel tower, Buckingham Palace and Statue of liberty. She has also learned about Venice. She loves talking about them when she comes back from school. 

"Mamma you know Eiffel tower has so many lifts, its in Paris"...

 “Mamma statue of liberty is in New York on an island... She has a lamp (torch) in her hand."
"Fizzy the guards in Buckingham Palace wear red and black... Can we go to London Fizzy."
"Fizzy if we go to Venice we won't need a car but a boat."
 

Her favourite by far is the Eiffel tower, she has an Eiffel tower T-Shirt (thanks to Bhaijaan) and an Eiffel tower book (Madeline). She loves Madeline all the more because it is based in Paris.
 

We hope we can show her these beautiful places sometime soon (in near future).
 

She has graduated from the World map to the Asia map. She loves geography and I hope she stays as passionate about things she likes as she is right now.
 

The reason why we believe in Montessori education so much is because... Kids are exposed to all this and more... they are so happy and interested to learn about everything.

Do you talk to your child? I do...

"Mumsy should I tell you about school?" or "Fizzy can we do some talking-talking?" these are sentences that our 4 year old uses on a daily basis, in fact many times during her day. Our days are incomplete without two things, talking and reading of course. Having a conversation with your child no matter they are 2 or 20 is crucial. Z knows she can tell Fizz and me anything and everything. I know, she is pretty young right now, and it is easier. We try to make 'having a heart to heart conversation' normal in our household... between the three of us. 

That is how it usually happens (image courtesy She Knows)

Communicating with younger kids is easy and tough. It is tough to make them express what they really want; once that is sorted things become easier. We strongly believe in the power of communicating with the child... it is one of the crucial aspects of parenting. In our case we believe talking and listening both are crucial. We make sure when she is telling us something, we do not have any interruptions (which means no mobile phones and I-Pads or television).
 

When Z comes and tells us something, we always encourage that. When we talk to each other, we try to keep it extremely normal, not routine... it’s not a chore or task.
 

This post might look like one of those 'gyaan' posts I rarely do. I had to do this, because I learned it the hard way. At a point in time I got so busy that I forgot the importance of talking to Z... just talking (and that doesn't include instructing or asking close ended questions).
 

I had put in a lot of effort and I have seen a marked difference in our relationship. Now I actually look forward to those moments when I can speak to Z or she can pour her heart out. At times (in fact most of the times), what she says is completely random... but I don't mind that really. At least she knows I'm listening which I genuinely do.
 

Do you take out time every day to just be with your child... just talk to them without any reason? If you haven't ... TRY

Brining up a Strong Willed Child

Written for mycity4kids

I was a strong willed child... Still am :-). I see glimpses of me in Z, definitely, not as strong willed as the mother, but she's catching up for sure. Z is better in many ways.

I read somewhere "You are lucky if you have a strong-willed child. If the child is parented sensitively, they grow into terrific teens and young adults. Self-motivated and inner-directed. They go after what they want and are almost impervious to peer pressure. As long as parents resist the impulse to "break their will", strong willed kids often become leaders.' 

I had a huge smile after reading this. Then all of a sudden it disappeared.

A little flashback - What happened to me as a child? I was forced to adhere to what the society thinks is right.... Of course I didn't and that was a reason for a childhood where I struggled with myself and the people around. Frankly, it wasn't as dramatic as it sounds. I knew I will do what I want to. I just had to convince people around me... Which was a task but I managed. 

I didn’t want Z to go through all this; hence I started reading about bringing up strong willed kids. I don't want Z to be at loggerheads with what she wants and what people around her want. She is strong willed and sensitive as well. We need to make sure we do the best to maintain her 'strong-will' alive.

Image courtesy pumpkinpatchkidsblog

Before you say, why do you want a difficult and a stubborn child. Well, being strong-willed doesn't necessarily mean she is difficult and stubborn. She isn't. Strong willed kids take their own stand and don't believe in following a leader in a herd...not such a bad thing eh? She's independent and she doesn't want to be guided at every step. If she cries she wants to be left alone, when she's done, she comes and hugs me or Faizan and we talk. If she falls, she hates people giving her a helping hand. She wants to get up on her own. She wants to control herself, which is fair. She is open to hear us out because we never expect her to do as we tell her to.

She does argue, I need to be patient. When she's done with her drama. We speak to her... this doesn't mean we do whatever she wants us to.

Giving Z a power to choose makes her more comfortable and confident. Since we decide what her options are, she stays within the range (I won't say boundaries) we want her to and she doesn't realise she has done what we want her to do. She thinks she is in charge when in reality, she isn't exactly taking total control of her life.

If I tell Z not to touch a candle because I say so... she won't listen. If I tell her its hot and take her finger near the wick, without touching it, she knows why I'm telling her not to and she's OK with that.

She wants to decide what she wants to wear specially. If its cold and she doesn't want to wear her sweater or stockings under her dress. I tell her "its cold and you definitely need to keep yourself warm. Suit yourself.... I'm wearing something warm, I'm feeling cold." Just by doing it we're sorted.

The other day I was chopping some onions and she wanted to chop them too. Well all I did was let her, she cut a piece and after a few seconds her eyes started burning, she left the onions there and then (of course you can't do that every time. If the situation allows, try it). So we let her see what she has got herself into, to a certain extent we let her be her own-self and enjoy herself too.

Fizz and me make sure we talk to her and see what she wants. Right now she's young, but once she's older, we believe, the only way to make her listen to what we say is by letting her keep her point forward. This also works at improving our relationship which is crucial.

We discipline her but we try never let that ruin our relationship. Time outs work best for her. For her its 4 minutes of trying to figure out what's wrong. They always results in an apology and a hug.

When we want something to be done we make sure we don't force her into it. We usually say 'how about doing this'

Its crucial to give her space and respect her for who she is. Z will always be strong-willed and we have developed our parenting style based on that and other aspects of her personality. At the end of the day I'm happy with the fact that Z is strong, determined and extremely independent.

During my research on this topic I came across these two images on a blog called pumpkin patch kids

and I had to share them.

Image courtesy pumpkinpatchkidsblog

Image courtesy pumpkinpatchkidsblog

Z at #ZohaKiShaadi

When we left for Kanpur, I didn't know how would Z react seeing so many people around her. How would she be able to cope up with the cold, especially when most of the functions were outdoors. Her schedule would go for a toss completely, wedding functions obviously meant late night.

Keeping our fears aside ... or shall I say, taking them along we left on our journey. When we reached Kanpur finally, Z was a little apprehensive. She had seen everyone a few times but, did she remember them all? No. She only recognized my elder sister and her cousin brother Z. Well, that was a decent start. At least, she didn't cry like she did in the past. She was just a little uncomfortable, that is it. As days past, Z not only started recognizing people, she enjoyed with them as well. She also loved spending time with them without me or Fizz, this, was a huge achievement.

Talking of the marriage functions, well I did get a little irritated by the time the Walima (reception) was over. So many functions, and getting ready for all of them was not child's play. Z did not mind getting all decked up and she did attend all the functions, she loved staying at the venue till all of us were ready to leave. She enjoyed the food, the attention that she was getting and she learned how to pout for selfies as well.

She got mehndi applied for the first time, and she patiently sat for an hour till the mehndi was dry. I didn't expect that happening for sure. She was also the star dancer, she has snatched my title from right under my nose.

All her Khas (Khaalas/Aunts....well that is what she calls them) loved to pamper her... be it Aanie, Nookha, Bushkha, Peekha, ZoKha, ZeeKha, FuKha, ShuKha (funny names ... yeah?). Z misses all of you. Yes, and she keeps talking about Sartaj Mamoo, Jaan, Ahm and MaazMoo as well. How can I forget all the Ammoos she met there... but she talks about Rayef Baby and Zeffy Bhai the most. All in all she LOVED the attention she was getting. 

The day we were leaving Kanpur, all she said was 'Mumsy, I will go to Delhi in April. Get the tickets.' We sure will Sweety!

Piyo glass full doodh...

Doodh... Doodh... Doodh... Wonderful doodh. Pheeeeew! I used to love this song but not from the past couple of days. 

Z is a picky eater and she can't be forced/cajoled into eating. The good thing is she doesn't like anything junk except chips which she has a few pieces of once a fortnight or a month. She gets an occasional treat (once in 5-6 months) and she's happy... Touchwood.

Here I want to talk about milk. Z used to love milk and it was the one thing she never fussed about. Unfortunately, Pediasure decided to make its 'Chocolate' flavour more Chocolatey and Miss Z refused to have it. She wants the old Pediasure. She didn't have a drop of milk for a week ... Finally she settled in for Horlicks. She still is extremely fussy... At times she just refuses to have a single drop. I showed her the 'Amul wonderful doodh' song and she hates the song as well. Sigh!

And yes! We've tried milkshakes, home made ice cream, et al.

Will keep you updated on Mission 'glass full doodh'. We're getting there, don't know how long it'll take.

Enjoy the song till I make her finish her Glass Full Doodh 

So! What do you think Z?

Z is over and done with a stage where she used to rely on her parents for anything and everything. The good thing is she is extremely independent. The bad thing is we think she is growing up and we miss the baby, Z was not long back.

Now whenever we have to take a decision, as a family (at least the smaller ones Z is directly involved with), we try to involve Z. Right now, these are fairly simple things like, what should we have for lunch... what should we do on weekends as a family, what shirt should her dad wear (that is between Z & dad and, I must say, she has an extremely good sense of colours).

It is good because we think, Z feels important, she thinks she is an important member in the house. Another important thing that happened is, Z has now become less stubborn and she is open to listen to what her parents have to say... not only listen, she also agrees to what we say. Z has become extremely attached (not clingy) to the both of us as well.

With her fourth birthday approaching, I have planned something special for November - her birthday month. There is something special for 26 Days of November. There will be a party on Being Zoe's Mum.

My Little Ms. Z - My Reading Star

Z's new found obsession is not just listening to stories while I read them... now she tries to read them as well. Putting letter sounds together is what my Reading Star loves and she isn't even 4 yet. I'm not talking about CVCs here, she reads longer words as well, obviously not the ones which are tricky. 

This video was taken a few weeks back - https://www.facebook.com/video.php?v=319440578219526&set=vb.257814404382144&type=2&theater

Now, I take Phonics classes for kids, some of them start reading effortlessly, like Z and some take a little more time. Each child has their own interest and their own capabilities. I encourage Z, because even when I don't sit with her and read together, she reads anything and everything... from billboards to menu cards to books to newspaper et al. 

On her last PTM, her teachers expressed that they were pleasantly surprised see her blend at this age. She started writing post the PTM and her teachers informed us, usually kids start writing and then reading... very few kids read first. Her pediatrician was also amazed at the development. 

The reason why Z shows interest in reading is because she loves her books and she says she wants to read them herself (like Mamma does) very soon. I just encouraged her in a field she is interested in... I just guided her on Phonics... like I do with other children her age... but she made her mom super proud.

Z Speaks - An interview of sorts

So Z will turn 3.5 years on the 26th of this month, wooohoooo. OK. I thought I would record a little conversation with my little chatterbox.

Yenna ... Mind it!

Here goes:

• OK, Z let's do some talking. Are you ready big girl?

Ma, middle sized girl. 

• Oh! sorry so you are ready my middle sized girl?

OK.

• Where is Fizzy? Where has he gone?

To work mum, to office

• Nice and what does he do at work?

Ma, he works on the laptop and then he has food then he works and then he comes in the red car to home.

• Right... he comes home in the red car. Good girl. What does ma do?

Ma goes to library, to read story.... and gives paper to all of them and to me also (I guess she is referring to the craft activities). And also sounds and we have cake also (the kids had cake in the last phonics class).

•  Do you go to work with Fizzy?

Oho... no ma, I go to school, and I do puzzles, pounding-pounding, sounds and world map. And listen to stories.... and in snack time then I eat something.

• OK, and what do you eat?

I eat 'edly' (idli)

• Let's talk about colours... what is your favorite colour?

I like yellow and also I like green also. But I like only white edly

• And when you are a big girl what do you want to do? What will you become

I will go to big school like Riddhi and Shehan (her seniors who have graduated). And I will have my friends only in the school only. Like Riddhi, Rohan, Shehan, Ishika, Jivesh, Jainesh, Umaima and Neha.  And also Vinaya aunty also.

• What will you do you do when you drown bigger like ma?

I will have sabzi and roti and not edly. Then I will go to ma's library. And I will read stories and do lots of things.

• So will you take ma to the reading room with you?

Oho ma, ok I will take you. But you sit on the black mat and I will sit on the green chair... OK??? (I sit on a green chair and the kids sit on the mat, so I hope you get the point ;-))

OK bye now.

**These are exactly her words I recorded the voice clip and jotted it down. 

Montessori Activity - Cutting Paper

Cutting is a crucial practical life activity but it is also very dangerous. When I went to Siksha before Z's admission for their open day, to take a tour of the school and activities... I was impressed as well as a little taken aback when I saw the Cutting Paper activities. 

Z loves cutting paper and when she does cut a strip you can hear her shout "See... WoooHooooo'

Materials:
Scissors (In school they use normal scissors, I used child-friendly ones... and now Z tells me 'Siksha Scissors are better'
Paper
Tray

Mat (I skipped that Z wanted to keep the tray on her lap)

 

I placed the scissors and paper on the tray, as Z instructed. I told her to hold her scissors properly and she told me, 'Yes, two fingers in big hole'. She cut the paper into small strips (sharp end pointed up) and then cleaned up when she was done.

This video helps you understand the activity better.

She believes in surprising us... Always

On 3rd of March I had put this on a Mommy group in Facebook "Mums of 3 year olds.... how many kids out there just want to wear a couple of things. My daughter just wants to wear 'Jeans and T-Shirt'.... on good days she wears a nice summer dress .... those are like a day a month. Please do not tell me its a phase as she has been doing this from September last year."

Guess Z was listening to me or rather reading what I have  written (guess I need to change my password).

The other day she willing wore her rainbow dress, I didn't even tell her to wear it and today,  it was Holi party at her school. We got a note from school, saying we should try send them dressed up traditionally. I didn't try to convince her, because convincing in the past didn't really help. Anyways, she got up today and when I asked her what she wanted to wear... she replied 'Churidaar Kurta' I couldn't believe my ears... I was on top of the world... and trust me I'm not exaggerating.

 

The story of the 'Rainbow Dress'

Those who follow BZM know that Zoe has this aversion to dressing up. I would like to take the blame for that. I love being dressed casually and Z has taken it from me. So, we picked up a pretty rainbow dress (Z calls it her rainbow dress... you will know why when you see the dress) for her 3rd birthday. We took the dress to Goa, hoping for a miracle which didn't happen. Then we planned to wear it for our Christmas party, which Z couldn't attend because she was not well. I think it was plain bad luck. 

Then, a couple of days back, Z had to accompany me for a meeting to CCD. I casually asked her what she wants to wear... and frankly, I didn't expect I would hear 'Mommy... Rainbow Dress'... but like magic to my ears I did hear just that. And though we weren't going for a party or a ballet performance (considering it's a tu-tu dress) I made her wear exactly what she wanted. 

And guess what... my baby wants to wear her dress again... WoooooHooooo

Isn't she looking just super?

Picture Posts... Coz at times pictures say it all!

Z's latest obsession .... This is the result of the hard work she has put in for weeks... I have heard about collecting Coins, stamps, old pictures... but never heard about this one

Because this doesn't happen every day

Ahhhhh Sundays... can we have some more of them please. Dad and Daughter bonding over some artwork. Where Z was instructing and Fizz was happy to follow her instructions!

Here is to fun in the Park and making new friends!

We love taking Z to the park, and she loves going to this one park not so close to home. Yesterday, when we were in the park she explored almost all the swings. For a little someone who was even scared to climb on the slide without mum and dad we have come a long way.

The best thing that happened in the park was Z make a new friend just like that. It so happened Z was sitting in one of those tunnels in the big slide and from the other side a girl (around 4) came and sat next to her. I was expecting Z would come and hug me, coz in the park she usually likes playing alone. Or she likes playing with the kids she is already friends with. I was in for a big surprise, Z started smiling and chatting with her new friend, she say with her for a good 20 minutes in the tunnel. Both the girls didn't let anyone else come in the tunnel till the time they were sitting.

Here are 'some' pictures I took.

 

 

 

Z and her new friend, whose name she forgot to ask :-P

And she made me go Teary Eyed ...

21st December 2013 was Z's 1st Parent's Day and we were all very excited about her big day. Z and her friends had been preparing for their big day for more than a month now. Whenever we asked to tell us what she was doing, she just changed the topic. She didn't even tell us which song was she dancing on... leave aside showing us her steps.

Faizan and me were sure Z wouldn't go on stage... and even if she did, she wouldn't dance. I was hoping against hope she does though. We stopped asking her about the dance. On the D-Day we reached the auditorium, 1st thing that shocked us was that she saw two of her friends and she went straight to them. She didn't want to come to us when we called her, when it was time to go on stage...Z did get a little apprehensive but didn't resist going on stage. The kids were kept backstage throughout the program and Z was happy to be there. When the 'Santa Dance Troupe' reached the stage, Fizz and me were ready that Z might not dance... like many small kids did when they reached on stage before Z's performance.

We were in for a surprise, Z completed the entire dance, enjoyed herself and my baby looked totally ADORABLE. Fizz and me were cheering up like we have never done ever before... I was all smiles and tears started rolling down my eyes. It was a moment I will never ever forget.  Thanks Z for giving me another #ProudMommyMoment

Z's on the extreme right in front.

And here is the Santa Claus song Z danced on.

Done with the first School Break

 

School holidays can be really stressful for some moms, because most of us don't just know what to do with the kids and how to keep them happily engaged... especially when you're not traveling. Some parents just believe in turning to the idiot box, which was not an option for me. Though Z did get to see more than what we usually would have done, keeping the movie we went for.

Here are some of the things I did to keep L'll Z engaged (please understand, I was not on leave, Z was. So I had to plan the schedule accordingly).

Stories & more Stories: It is obvious by now that Z's days are incomplete without her books. We explored some lovely books this holiday season... Stick Man, Snowmen at Christmas, Snoring Shanmugam, Squash and a Squeeze.

Movies: Z went to watch Dhoom3 with us, she loved the movie to say the least. She shrieked in the chase sequences, danced on the songs and shouted when she saw 'Two-Two Aamin Khan' on the big screen. She has been wanting to go once more, but I can't give in :(. We rolled in the new year by watching one of my favorite animation movie Shrek. Z loved it and her new year started with a big big smile. She has recently started watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse but Peppa still remains her favorite.

Colours: Give Z some crayons and a big chart paper and you're sorted. She can spend a long time painting the paper.

Blocks: Another thing she loves doing is playing with legos. Though she loves breaking a lego tower more. This is another thing she can go on doing for a long time.

Pretend Play: Z loves being a doctor with her doctor set, a car racer with her new remote controlled sports car, if she doesn't have a set in place we make up some stuff with play-doh. She picked this new Hamleys tea set, which initially I was a little apprehensive about... but Z loves playing with it. Z got a doll but she isn't much into dolls right now (I'm happy actually). She prefers her dinosaur, Mickey-Minnie stuff toys. 

Traveling around Bangalore: Whatever time I could take out, I took Z out to parks, playdates, malls (which I only like during Christmas)

Decorating her Christmas Tree: Z loved decorating her little Christmas tree with mamma.

I missed out on baking with Z, but we will do that soon.

Here is hoping your 2014 is super.

P.S BTW Z came across this song while I was watching TV, and the only thing she said was 'Zoe's Song, Zoe Drama Queen' **Runs to hide face**

Z Speaks

Z playing alone... I look at her and go to her.
Me: Hey baby do you want mamma to play with you?
Z: No Mamma. Please go back. Zoe is busy.
Me: Please Z can we play together
Z: No! Later. Go complete your work. Work on Laptop!

So for those who don't know I'm working out for the past couple of months. I was doing wall-sits (for those who do not know you need to stand against a wall). Z comes up ...

Z: Momma don't push the wall... it is bad habit.
Me: **Panting... Out of breath. Pushing people is bad, you can push the wall.
Z: No Momma, it is bad habit. Get away... see big doggie is coming he will bite you!

**I literally fell off.

Zoe going through one of her books in which Snoopy is dressed up as a bandit.
Z: Momma what is this?
Me: Ba, it is snoopy, dressed up with a patch on his eye. He is playing dress up
Z: Oh Momma... Snoopy is playing a bandit.

Her current obssession Zog has been read out again and again and she keeps saying... I'm Princess Pearl... I don't like dancing in a Silly Frilly Dress.
** I don't think she knows the complete meaning YET... But she has made mumma happy.

Leaving you with a picture
All I told her is that Z I want to click some pictures... I took these within a minute!

Her Z-ness

Random Updates:

Went to pick Z up from School today and asked the teacher hows she doing..... and I hear "Ohhhh she's doing great. Her energy is infectious and she loves to talk"
Why wasn't I surprised? She's just like me.


Zoe talking to the cushion (make belief Fizz)
Z: Fizzy do you miss me??? OK do you want to listen to a story. Opens her hands like a book. Once upon a time there was a little girl who lived in a jungle called Gina. Gina was sleeping, in the morning she saw a giant and giant said "Come Zoe Come" (how did Gina become Zoe???) Zoe shouted 'No,giant you bad bad boy ... go home.' Simish (Finish).
OK... Did you like the story???"


And Here is the Drama Queen...

Z is a born story teller

I don't know what it is... is it her love for books... or watching her favorite Julia Donaldson story come live on TV  (put something else and Z will happily skip her 1 hour of TV).... or listening to her dad making some totally crazy stories... or seeing her mom narrate in the most animated manner.

Even if mom or dad are busy, she will look for a book and start reading ... she doesn't read yet. She pretend reads the book and makes an amazing story... right there and then. Picture this... I went for my cousin's wedding and at one of the functions I made Z sit on the couch and went to have dinner. Z looked around... picked up a brochure kept there and started reading out loud "Once upon a time... a long long time ago..." everybody looked at her and had a big laugh.

For Z, it wasn't funny, it was serious business. 

She prefers a book but, if she doesn't have one it is perfectly fine. For instance, I went to pick her up from school the other day and as I always do... I asked her what she did at school. She told me Gruffalo was there at school and she wasn't scared... According to her she even played with Gruffalo in the sandpit and with the pink blocks. Then again that day while sitting on the pot... she said 'Mamma I'm a vegetable. I'm a banana.' I told her 'Baby ... Banana is a fruit" then after thinking for a minute or two she said... "no I was a vegetable and I was a small green pea. I don't like green so I became a yellow banana."

This is common amongst 3.5 year olds but Z isn't 3 yet and she has been doing this for past couple of months.

All I do... well I just try to read more and I try I never stop her when she is trying to make up a story. I also ask a lot of questions when she is done. You should see the spark in her eyes when she answers my questions.... Its amazing!

Our Potty Training Story!

Well, there is no story really. When Z was born the thing I was petrified of was potty training… no… not her sleep schedule, sleepless nights, her picky eating, her tantrums, her admission, nothing scared me as much as Potty Training. I had heard so many opinions and so many horror stories that I was scared. I did not want to hurry.

Zoe was in her diapers till 2.5 years, I didn’t put much effort in potty training.No, I wasn’t being lazy (that’s one thing I’m not) I was just waiting for the right time. And one day I realized Z has started showing all signs of being ready. I followed this list on Babycenter. I soon knew she was ready… I told her a story… I made it up. About how big girls and boys should use potty in the bathroom. I told her if we keep on doing potty and pee-pee in diapers it smells bad and germs will make her bummy red. She said “OK Momma”… from that day I left her diaper free except at night or when we go out for a long time.

She sits on the big potty in the bathroom and tell momma like a good girl when she wants to go poo or pee. I’m not saying all parents will have the same story, all I’m trying to say is wait till your little one is ready.