B - Potty Training Part 2

I have temporarily given up on trying to potty train B because he has entered an extremely defiant phase and our relationship may not survive the turmoil. As it is summer, the boys play in the backyard with water pretty frequently, and it's often times easier to let them romp around in the nude than bother with swim suits. They don't mind, so why should I?

Well, several weeks ago, we were outside on just such an afternoon and the boys were enjoying water play in their birthday suits. I focused on Scooby for just a moment, when B caught the corner of my eye. I looked up just in time to see him taking a crap on my patio. I am not kidding. The brat copped a squat and pooped on the ground like a dog. I flipped out. In hindsight, I suppose that it's not really that big of a surprise. He is, after all, that kind of a kid; if there's a way to surprise you, he'll find it. We had a big discussion about how we don't poop or pee on the patio and that if one has to go to the bathroom, one needs to tell Mommy immediately. One should never take matters into ones own hands.

Cut away to the next day. We were in the backyard again, and again the boys were partaking of the some fun in the sun. B came over to chat with me while I was sitting in a lounge chair, enjoying some time of relaxation. In the midst of our discussion, B just starts peeing. The kid was standing there talking to me and peeing everywhere. It was like he didn't notice that there was urine spraying everywhere. I flipped out, yet again. I could not believe that this was happening again. I supposed pee is better than poop, but still, both are disgusting to clean up off the patio.

B and I had another chat about the importance of not releasing one's bodily functions on the patio, and so far so good. Today, B took the time to tell me of his needs and after a brief discussion on where it was appropriate to pee, I finally let him pee in the bushes. I decided to pick my battles and at least I was able to convince him that the middle of the lawn was not acceptable. Is anyone else starting to think that I have absolutely no power?!