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The feeling of overwhelming fear came over me as I realized "OH MY GOD. I KNOW NOTHING ABOUT POTTY TRAINING.. So a friend of mine recommended that I go to the library. We did that back then as there was no internet. I checked out 5 or 6 books on child development. I read over 1000 pages of information. They covered many topics on how to raise your child. Some of it was good, some of it was bad, but there was a huge amount of information and I went through all of it. Took me 10 full days.
I could not believe how little actual content there was on potty training your child...And what was there was not good at all. They all said the exact same thing. That is wait till your child starts to show you signs of readiness. I thought, signs of readiness? I have 11 days to stop this child from pooping in his pants or I not only lose the daycare spot, but I'll also lose the new job that I fought so hard to get.
So I decided to chuck all the books and do this on my own. I have a beautiful gift and a way with kids. I did not learn it. I was born with it. I believe that's what I was put on the earth to do.
So I took the little information that was out there, Spoke with some experienced parents, Put my own spin on things and within 7 days he was potty trained. That left me 4 days to perfect his new found skills. Good news is he got into the school and I got the job.
This is where the story gets good. Turns out I absolutely did not like the job. It was with a large grocery store chain in Connecticut. I left there after a few weeks and got a job at All Saints Daycare. After all I just spent the last 3 1/2 years raising my nephew so I have plenty of experience.
As luck would have it, guess which classroom they gave me? Yeap the two year olds. Picture a room full of two year olds screaming and pooping everywhere.
Well it didn't take long before the parents took a liking to me as well. Little by little they started asking me to babysit for them. Well one of my parents had to go out of town and asked me if I could watch her daughter at her house for a few days. I did the math in my head, the money seemed good and I said yes.
The Weekend was uneventful. On Monday morning the parent came into my class in an excited state and blurted "what did you do!". At least 100 scenarios played out in my head. Did I break something at the house? Did I forget to do something? Is Emily ok? What!
With the most frightening voice, I said, what did I do? Don't forget I was only 21yrs old at this time. She hugged me and said Emily asked to go potty last night and this morning before school. I let out a sigh of absolute relief. For a second it felt like time stood still.
So I told her, rather then just playing games over the weekend, I decided to potty train Emily. Till today, I don't think I have ever seen someone so grateful. Needless to say She called me back for many more babysitting jobs.
Then something crazy started to happen. I suspect that Emily's mom must have told some of the other parents about what I did. The next week I had another parent ask if I could potty train their child. I told her I would help during the school hours.
Then it hit me that I should potty train all the kids in my class. You see it made absolute sense. If they were potty trained, my job would be much easier. As word spread parents started switching their kids out of other classes into mine. Needless to say, my side babysitting business took off like wild fire.
Funny thing is...They did not ask for Johanne. They asked for The Potty Trainer. That's actually where I got the name from.
I worked at All Saints for a few years before going to a large child care center. After being in a large child care center for a few years, I realized it just wasn't the place for me. It was just too corporate. I missed the family feeling at All Saints. We all knew each other there. At my new place it was all about meetings and memos. Just not my style. I began to feel unhappy...And my husband noticed.
Then in 2001 my husband told me I should package my knowledge and help other parents. I told him that no one wants to hear from me. "I don't even have a college degree" I said. He sat me down and said, "why do you think all the parents want to put their kids in your class?" That's not luck, that's because you are good. He told me "you don't need a degree to help people."
As usual I dismissed it. But you don't know my husband. He kept at me for 2 full years. And I kid you not about that. For two years he harassed.
Now let me tell you the real reason I didn't want to do the course. I am not computer literate. Up until 2008 I've never turned on a computer. I was terrified. When I told him my fears, he said I'll make a deal with you. You talk and I'll type. And with that The Potty Trainer was born.
We went out and surveyed over 500 parents just like you. We asked them to tell us specifically what are the issues they had with potty training. My husband and I took 6 long months compiling the answers and making sure we did not leave any stone unturned. Then we answered every question using my expertise...and believe me when I say this course is very different then anything else on the market.
My course comes from sweat and tears. I've personally potty trained over 317 children with my own two hands. I know what you are going through. I know what your child is going through. And if you are a day care provider I CERTAINLY know what you are going through as I did it for 10 years. I've personally changed over 56,000 diapers myself. Yes I know, not a fun job. But I've done it and can now share my experience and knowledge with you.
Hopefully I did not bore you with my story, but that's who I am, where I come from and how I became the potty trainer. I did not plan on become a potty trainer, but it's something I was called to do. Now lets get back to you and your child. Let me start by removing some guilt and saying...
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