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I took an example from @johnroderick and found an amazing teaching lesson for my two year old daughter today. She came to me complaining that her diaper was wet, using language far beyond her age thanks to my proud and frequent readings of College level literary material.
She was crying at first, visibly upset...I chortled and wondered at the innocence of her youth, how we can be such emotional creatures by nature. And then I calmly explained that simply changing her diaper would be of no service to her. The world would not keep her bum dry.
I gave her a new diaper and a baby. I allowed her to curiously explore them, get a feel for their texture, and understand them. She pointed at her own diaper, sagging close to the ground and simply said "pee pee". An immature gesture if there was one! But forgivable.
I told her, "this diaper has one purpose. To collect waste excreted from your anus and your urethra and to catch it so that it can be easily cleaned. Observe the mechanisms at play. See where the tabs attach to the diaper for a secure fit." I could see her eyes light up.
She was beginning to work out the situation. I explained that the wipe was used to clean any leftover waste from her buttocks and genitals. I told her "we will not go to the bathroom until you figure out how to change your own diaper!"
For three long days we shared tears but mostly laughter as her diaper got heavier with waste and began to drag on the carpet. I too filled my trousers repeatedly, refusing to allow such a valuable teaching lesson go to waste. She said "hate...daddy" with the fire of youth.
Of course I giggled at her tenacity and continued to encourage her. And then on the third day...success! She was able to find the release point on her diaper and allowed it to drop to the floor. She cleaned herself up, and disposed of the diaper and wipe.
I hugged her joyously when she figured out how to put her own diaper on, rolling her eyes at me in that usual cheeky way. I was so proud as an Apocalypse Father. Had we been in a Mad Max survival situation, it would indeed have made a difference in our quality of life.
Although I still have not personally figured out how to get the waste out of my own trousers and have been sitting in them for many weeks, as a content creator I have other priorities. But I know my daughter was well served by this important lesson.
I am sorry if this will make lesser parents jealous. I am sure most of you pop your children in front of a TV and change their diapers for them like helicopter parents, but my family is different (and far superior) to yours.
She is getting hungry and our cupboards are bare all except for a can of beans. I think I smell another teaching opportunity in our near future!
