HTT - Potty Edition

Miss Dub is now TEN months old. Ten months, people! I'll be dropping her off at the mall with friends in no time. And she'll be telling me I'm unfair before I can blink. I mean, adolescence is at her doorstep.

So you'd think I'd be all over potty training - well-versed in all the various toilet techniques and associated parenting philosophies, but I'm not. I haven't thought about it for a moment. Even a little.

First, changing diapers doesn't bother me that much. I mean, I'd rather not unwrap a stinky surprise several times a day, but I'm not disgusted by it either. Everybody poops; Miss Dub just doesn't know how to dispose of hers, which is fine by me. She also doesn't know how to make cupcakes, but I'm in no rush to show her the Kitchenaid.

In fact, I have no idea what's the right age for potty training. I imagine it's somewhere around 2 years old, though you'll have to school me on the specifics. And I imagine that it's a Hot Topic because all child-rearing issues can get moms steamy under the collar. (And why is that? Do we really think our methods are superior, or do we just feel better by justifying our behavior?)

I recently read this article, which confirmed that potty training is, indeed, an interesting issue. And reminded me that there are some freaky people out there. People who not only eschew diapers from birth, but let their children relieve themselves in SINKS at PUBLIC restrooms. And then they wonder why other people look at them strangely.

And while the idea of a potty-trained newborn sounds appealing, I can't help but notice the irony. These people are so averse to wiping excrement that they don't diaper their babies, but they are happy to expose others to it - in a vestibule designed to remove germs nonetheless.

I just don't get it. Why can't babies just be babies? What's the rush? Diapers aren't meant to be enjoyable, just necessary. I don't feel like I have any less bowel control because my mom waited to potty train me ... so I fail to see the advantage.

But what do you think?

When have you or do you plan to potty train your youngins?

What's your strategy?

And on a scale of 1-10, how are disgusted are you by a mom who lets her baby use a sink as a bidet?

'Cause it's pretty much a 10 for me.