Day 13: Poor little buddy

The 3yo had a rough day today. He picked up a mild stomach bug from somewhere--my guess is his penchant for eating things off the floor or hiding his milk cups for later, much later. Regardless, the kid was dealing with a little bit of soupy poopy all day long. That wouldn't be so bad if he were potty trained, but unfortunately he's not. So, as a horrible side effect, he has now also developed a pretty severe diaper rash.

I know what you're thinking. Why is the 3yo still in diapers? As a parent, I can tell you that a toddler who doesn't want to be potty trained cannot be potty trained. It's not for lack of trying. We've had several rounds of attempts, using a handful of different techniques. We're even trying right now since we're all stuck in the house together. But just like every other time, he is just not interested. Sure, he'll sit on the potty and pee all day, but #2 is out of the question. And he is adamant about that.

The kid is a liar too. He'll walk around all day hauling around a trailer, and lie to your face about it. "No, I didn't go poop!!!!!" Meanwhile, the skin on that kid's sorry caboose is being eaten alive. And that's how the vicious cycle keeps on rolling. He goes #2, his butt gets raw, he prolongs his own agony, and repeat.

By the time bedtime rolled around, I was already exhausted, both mentally and physically. I had plans to do stuff today, but I don't remember what those things are. I do remember that I wanted to work out after the kids went to bed, but that idea lost its luster pretty quickly. 

And then a couple hours after bedtime we heard him crying up in his room. I found him standing up, sobbing, and gripping his brother's bunk bed ladder for dear life, because he knew that sitting or lying down would hurt his bottom too much. I carried him downstairs to change his diaper yet again, and he knew what was coming. He was so scared he was shaking. And then as I started to change his diaper he began to scream. Horrible, soul-crushing screams. There is nothing more heartbreaking than hearing your child crying out in pain. And no matter how much cream and ointment I put on his butt tonight, I know tomorrow morning the cycle will start all over again.

My poor little buddy.