How to successfully potty train your child

Disclaimer: Please this post is not intended for parents who want to potty train their new born child or parents who want a potty trained child under 12 months old. hahahaha

I am your typical “always late to potty train my kids ” kind of mother. She starts, stops and her friend pushes her not to give up then she resumes with a renewed strength to keep going. This is me and if you are just like me then enjoy this read!

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I am always looking forward to ending the diaper wearing era of my kids but at the same time I guess I am also not ready to be working on soiled pants, mopping the floor and basically any work associated with a non-diaper wearing child or one strutting about the house with their naked bum. Sounds confusing huh?

………..Before I found a solution for my son, I had read a number of articles online and checked in with fellow mothers to share tips to help hasten the potty training for my son. I basically tried all these familiar suggestions:

1. Naughty corner

If he pees on the floor then for his punishment I march him to the naughty corner to spend some few minutes there. I think my son saw this as a game of peekaboo with myself and the TV (trying to sneak a peek at the TV from his corner).

2. Enrol elder sister’s help

I recruited the help of his elder sister to check on him and talk to him about potty training. Kids would hopefully listen to each other I had hoped. But this beloved son of mine would listen, understand and not practice.

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3. Watch youtube videos

I searched for potty training videos with colourful animated graphics and music that was guaranteed to get any child’s attention. He watched and understood but……………….

4. Talk to them as adults

I had a talk with him as an adult about potty training including illustrating and going through potty training drills with him. I told him he is growing and no longer a baby and very soon he wouldn’t have to wear diapers any more.

5. Get colourful potties and undies

Trust me, I was sure this would work for him but it rather became a playtoy for him. His potty was a yellow ducky with wheels and it became an indoor mode of transportation for him. He loved his undies and chose the colours himself but……..the consistency was like ECG flipping my power switch on and off. One day he is wearing dry pants and the next time it’s an accident.

Although some of these worked for other mothers (it worked for my daughter though) but for my son no! It was like he was sent to test my patience.

Image credit: Quotesgram

Like I said, none of these made consistent progress for me and I gave up along the way. The cleanups and impromptu bathing was getting to me. My success came only when I discovered Potty Whiz (available for download on android and ios devices), it is a potty training app that is effective when you involve your kid.

Initially I utilised it wrongly by inputting and tracking his potty schedules on my own. I didn’t involve him on the journey so my frustrations grew when I wasn’t getting the results I wanted. I started getting results when I involved him and allowed (guided) him to do the clicking. He always gets excited when the “good job Jesse pops up! after every successful bathroom visit. He looked forward to the fireworks sound on the app and this motivated him to make progress.

You can add more than one child when you download the app

I recall having a conversation with him during one of my frustrated days.

Me: “Are you happy to be wearing diapers?

My son: “When I wear diapers, it doesn’t make a mess but panties make a mess!” (I just shook my head so this guy is not taking blame. He is blaming his undies.)

Then I asked, “Are you a baby?” He would say no and equally ask me, what we will be doing with the rest of the diapers if he stopped wearing them.

What I loved about the app is the ability to schedule potty reminders. I set an hour to an hour and a half duration for potty training reminders. I will just say potty time and he will go, come back to me to get his “Well done Jesse!” on the app.

Recently (this post has been in draft for over a year), I don’t have to set the alarm I just prompt him periodically and I was excited to find him sitting on the WC all alone one day doing his thing. I thought his dad took him but apparently he did not. Hip! Hip! Hurray!! Well done Jesse!!!!!!

And my day was made when I attempted putting him in diapers for bedtime but he said, “no no I am not a baby!” I went through prepping because I wasn’t ready for wet mattress wahala. I used a plastic bag to line his mattress and told him to sleep at that part in case any damage happened.

You can time the frequency of bathroom visits

I was excited, the battle had finally been won and I asked him, what to do with the rest of the diapers and his response, “give it to a baby!” Ladies and gentlemen my work is done (Tears of joy). My diaper money is saved. Hallelujah!!!

You can track his potty activities too!

The not so secret to successfully potty training your child is that each child has their own timing. They will only be ready when they are ready. Don’t stress yourself and your kid when no progress is made. Potty training is not a race! and it’s not a determinant of the kind of parent you are.

Oh! With all the babbling I forgot to mention, he was 3 years old. 😅

I just shared my potty training journey, how did you successfully potty train your kids?

The OMT brand focuses on inspiration, education, mental wellness, entrepreneurship, youth and women empowerment and changing the African narrative a blog post at a time. 

My perspective: Virtual v Physical church attendance

This post is dedicated to all the virtual churchgoers like myself and those who are still unsure about whether it is best to worship virtually or physically in a church every Sunday. If this is the first time reading any of my blog posts and you want a straight answer, then please don’t proceed because this post is meant to get you thinking to find the answer within yourself.

Prior to COVID, I wouldn’t say I was a consistent church goer. If there was an attendance register, I am sure I would be called to ask why I get in late or why I have been absenting myself from church. COVID however resulted in a lot of churches going online because of physical safety restrictions so I guess I found it very convenient to wake up and have church right in the comfort of my living room.

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Afterall, we learn from His Word that, “Where two or more people are gathered in my name, I am in their midst.” Regardless of where you find yourself in my opinion, you can commune with Him and know He is present with you. The church should therefore be seen as the people who make it up and not just the physical structure we unfortunately place so much focus on.

Image credit: Quotemasters

It took less effort to switch on the TV and watch Pastor Otabil’s “TV Church” every Sunday. Last Sunday (mid-August) however, he mentioned that “TV Church” was ending and we were back to the physical church. My first reaction was, “Oh no!” but on second thought I realised despite having a personal relationship with God it still required me stepping out periodically.

Image credit: Pinterest

On an individual level, it can be likened to having a friend you talk to on phone every day, whatsapp and chat on social media periodically but you know it makes your day much better when you hangout in person. Feeling nu y3 different!

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A much better comparison would be your relationship with your parents. Your siblings would each have their unique way of relating to your parents. Some would visit every week, others will call everyday, whatsapp or video call. Despite how each child relates to their parents, meeting together as a family helps foster the bond and relationship. Drinking fanta alone is not the same as drinking fanta with khebab with the right squad! You should feel right and not forced to project a different image of who you actually are on condition that you are taking the right path.

Image credit: Quotemasters

In summary, I am not the judge of how you relate with God since its a personal relationship. I am not a member of this personal private relationship you have with the BIG man but my recommendation is to make time to meet with other members of the family of God and spend time in His presence (It should feel right with you! not a forced obligation). If you haven’t found one yet, no rush! Continue to pray for discernment, study the Bible on your own and continue with your virtual church until you find the church that feels like home. That is were you would want to physically visit and feel at peace and more spiritually psyched with other members of the family of God.

Let me know what your thoughts in the comments section or email omtsdigest@gmail.com

The OMT brand focuses on inspiration, education, mental wellness, entrepreneurship, youth and women empowerment and changing the African narrative a blog post at a time. 

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How to make time for reading when you’re a busy parent

As a parent, its a common struggle to find time in-between schedules to make time for yourself not to talk of even reading a book! I ‘was’ your typical bookworm who prided herself in reading thick! novels within a week or less. I loved reading from my primary school days to the earlier years of my University life. Reading became a habit and really broadened my knowledge.

My squad reading my first motivational book for kids (3-7 years old). Ebook available on Amazon!

With kids coming into the picture, I don’t recall the last time I read a thick book. However, between 2020 and now I made up my mind to resuscitate my love for reading with some CPR. I am happy to announce that I have read about 2 to 3 books including Joyce Meyer’s Battlefield of the Mind and Awura Amma’s Motherhood 101. I am currently reading Woman Evolve by Sarah Jakes Roberts. The rate at which I read is much slower compared to before but I am happy with the progress made and would love to share some tips to help busy parents who would love to fix in some reading time into their busy schedule.

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1. Always keep a book in the washroom

Instead of going to the loo with your phone, I would recommend you go without it. You are certain to pick up the book you have stashed away in the washroom cabinet and read a page or two by the time you are done. If its an interesting one and your bathroom police (your kids..lol) are not interrupting or calling out for you, you can get to read for about 5 minutes in there!

Image credit: Vectorstock

2. It’s not a READATHON! (Reading Marathon)

Start with reading even if its a page a week or month or even one book over a period of 12 months. It is the intent that matters and not the speed! What I love about reading is the ability to teleport you into another world without any form of physical transport.

“Hello Passenger, as you embark on this reading journey take note that there is no need to overspeed and please enjoy the scenery as you progress with your reading goals.”

3. Buy books

If the ebooks don’t work for you, I recommend you buy hardcopy books. It reduces the temptation to get distracted with social media and whatsapp notifications. Reading hardcopy books doesn’t make you old school!

Image credit: pexels.com

4. Invest in a tablet or kindle

There are some apps that make reading ebooks much easier and similar to reading hardcopy books. On my phone I use the Readera app because it helps me highlight and continue from the last page I read compared to reading using a pdf app.

5. Invite your kids (if they are old enough) and make them your accountability partners

You can disconnect from social media on Sundays and let your kids see you reading. Encourage them to read even if its a picture book for the preschoolers. Who knows, by the time you realise you would have started a family tradition of reading.

By the way if you want to sustain it, add some fun. Relax comfortably outside or in a cozy position at home with a touch of snacks, music and drinks. I can guarantee that they will remind you every week that its reading time even if their agenda is for the snacks. hahahahha

Image credit: Pexels

6. Join a book club

This a great way to have accountability partners and network with other book lovers. Personally I haven’t joined any yet but looking to join one soon. You can check out on the Ghana Must Read book club on instagram.

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A post shared by #GhanaMustRead Bookclub (@ghana_must_read)

Hope these 6 tips help! I wish you the very best as you regain the power of reading as a busy parent.

How do you manage to make time for reading as a parent? What other book clubs would you recommend. Let me know your thoughts in the comments section.

The OMT brand focuses on inspiration, education, mental wellness, entrepreneurship, youth and women empowerment and changing the African narrative a blog post at a time. 

Dads’ corner||Meet Emmanuel Agyapong, the continuous improvement dad

“There is no rule book to being a good father.”

Emmanuel Mensah Agyapong

Enjoy the read!

OMT: Briefly introduce yourself and tell us how many kids you have. In summary who is Emmanuel?

EA: My name is Emmanuel Mensah Agyapong. I have two beauuuutifuuul girls. Nsoroma is just a few months short of 2 and Kanea is, well she will be 6 months next week.

OMT: What was your expectation of fatherhood prior to having kids versus actually having kids? In social media slang, we love to know the “before” and “how it’s going” with fatherhood.             

EA: I was expecting it to be more difficult than it is now. It isn’t easy but I was expecting my life to basically grind to a halt and take a toll on me and make me look older, make me have headaches but no! its hasn’t been like that.

In the beginning I was a little bit scared. Oh my goodness!, When we were leaving the hospital with our first child I was scared especially when the doctor said, “You guys are good to go. You can leave today,”. I was scared! I was like yieee!!!! These people have left a human being with us, yenfa no nkofie (Twi, means you should take him/her home). She looked so fragile. A baby crying who can’t speak, and my wife and I have to keep her alive. It was such a scary thought.

I remember walking from the ward to the car and we tried to put her in her car seat but we realised she was so small. So my wife sat in the back with her and I drove for like 20 to 30km/h. I must have annoyed everybody and anybody who drove stupidly would get my wrath so that was me. I was scared!

It was difficult but in the beginning what I thought was world ending I later realised it wasn’t really that bad. It’s pretty easy…..I won’t say very easy but not too difficult. It is tasking but I love it. People tell me if you love the work you do, you won’t have to work a day in your life or something like that. I love being a father and I love my daughters which makes it easy doing everything I am doing for them.

OMT: What would you want the rest of the world to know about fatherhood? Some misconceptions and all if any, etc        

EA: Someone told me that being a father is easy. The difficult thing is being a good father. Because it requires being present, sacrificing time and energy to be a good father but just being a regular father requires you have a child and go about living your life. Someone else can raise them for you. To be a good one you need to be present, sacrifice time, energy, relationships for that so that’s what I want the world to know. Its not enough to be a father, you have to strive to attain a level of good father and best dad.    

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OMT: What drives you to be the best dad to your kids?

EA: My father was not the best dad. He was OK, just that there were certain things he didn’t compromise on. He didn’t compromise on our safety and education. My father was the typical African father who wouldn’t show his emotions.

He didn’t show his emotions till recently when he hit 55-60, he started being all emotional. “I love you, call me”…..We all thought our father was this unfeeling robot for the longest time. My father drives me to be the best dad because he was not perfect and I used my learnings from being his child to bring that into my relationship with my daughters. So the places I felt he failed as a father I learn from that and use that to become a better father to my girls. The little things he did that I thought he did not succeed at I will do double for my girls.

So my father drives me to be the best dad. My father knew about sacrifice and he would sacrifice a lot of money to ensure that we had the best education and get us to be good at what we do. The other side is that there were days I barely saw him growing up. He would leave early in the morning and come late at night. He remedied that by letting us attend his school so he could keep an eye on us. He could see us everyday and we could see him everyday.

OMT: What are the challenges of being a dad in today’s world? Managing the world of work and also keeping your sanity to raise kids.

EA: The challenge is the race to make money to make life comfortable for the kids and for yourself. You have to figure out how to tow the line between being there for your kids and being able to make enough money to take care of them to make them happy and to make you happy as well. Sometimes you have to sacrifice your own happiness just so they can be happy. In today’s world that is the biggest challenge. The chase for money robs you of time and very few of us have been able to crack that code. Few of us have been able to walk that perfect line of time with the children, being able to cater for all their needs. But Covid came and got us all stuck in the house. I guess that was good for something.      

OMT: What advice would you give to incoming fathers.

EA: Just try to be a good father. Try, try, try really hard, try so no one will accuse you of not trying.

There is no rule book to being a good father. You can try your best and be great at what you do and end up with a problematic child but its all up to you. You need to try.

Thank you for opening up with me and others your experience as a dad.

The OMT brand focuses on family life, inspiration, education, mental wellness, entrepreneurship, youth and women empowerment and changing the African narrative a blog post at a time. 

Dads’ corner||Meet Sampson Ammamoo, the “customer” (family) experience father

Dads’ corner||Meet Sampson Ammamoo, the “customer” (family) experience father – OMT's Digest

This episode is also available as a blog post: http://omtsdigest.com/2021/06/20/dads-cornermeet-sampson-ammamoo-the-customer-family-experience-father/

He is a consummate digital professional with specialties mainly in digital payments and channel development, loyalty systems, partnerships and business development. Sampson believes in using technology to make the lives of customers brighter hence his deep love for technology. And he brings his love for customer experience right to the doorstep of his family.

“One thing I never wanted to be was a stereotypical dad who was seen as a pot-bellied feared man.”

Sampson Ammamoo

Just by the way, Sampson is my Papa No! and the brain and planner behind most of our family road trips. This is officially his first interview with his Mama No! if such exists..lol

Enjoy the read!

OMT: Briefly introduce yourself and tell us how many kids you have. In summary who is Sampson?

SA: Sampson is a seasoned sales and business development  professional with over 13 years working experience, spanning oil marketing ,telecoms, ISP and banking industries.

I have worked with companies like MTN Ghana, Iburst Africa ,Barclays Bank (now ABSA) and currently working with Vivo Energy (Shell Licensee for Shell products across 24 African countries ) as Payments & Loyalty Manager.

Baking cornbread with the kids

I am  a  father to two lovely kids (they mean the world to me).  I love to cook and I really love good food too. I also love travelling across the country with my family to see beautiful sights.  Having come from a military background makes me have the desire to have some things done in a particular order so some people see me as no nonsense (even some work colleagues do too).        

OMT: What was your expectation of fatherhood prior to having kids versus actually having kids? In social media slang, we love to know the “before” and “how it’s going” with fatherhood.             

SA: To be honest, I  did not have the best of experience while growing up with my dad so my expectation was not to repeat the mistakes my dad did.

I give an analogy of customer experience (a bit of marketing lecture wont hurt lol), I believe in providing a good customer (my family) experience in everything I do hence my desire to do my best regardless of how torrid my childhood was .I believe once we set our minds to do something, devoid of our past, we can do it.

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One thing I never wanted to be was a stereotypical dad who was seen as a big pot bellied feared man so I have worked to stay young as a family man so I can be able to come to the level of my kids.

OMT: What would you want the rest of the world to know about fatherhood? Some misconceptions and all if any, etc        

SA: Being a dad means you are still a human being who is able to feel, you are able to cry and feel all the things any human being feels.       

Just be who you are and do what makes you unique as a dad.

A day’s trip to Legon Botanical Gardens

OMT: What drives you to be the best dad to your kids?

SA: When I see them ask me questions that challenge my thinking , it drives me to be a better dad as they are way ahead of me when I compare my growing up with theirs.

Also, the world is now a global competitive stage, so I want to ensure they are equipped to face life with confidence and poise. 

OMT: What are the challenges of being a dad in today’s world? Managing the world of work and also keeping your sanity to raise kids.

SA: For me it is waking up every morning to help in preparing them for school and being inundated with all forms of demands from them on a daily basis.     

OMT: What advice would you give to incoming fathers.

SA: There is no form or guide to fatherhood but just develop your own beautiful guide to give your kids and family a wonderful experience.

Thank you for opening up with me and others your experience as a dad.

The OMT brand focuses on family life, inspiration, education, mental wellness, entrepreneurship, youth and women empowerment and changing the African narrative a blog post at a time.