As a mother, grandmother and great-grandmother, I've parented through the Great Depression, two wars, and the advent of this Internet thingamabob. As I like to say, "Been there, done that, glad to be dying soon!" So, you got a parenting question? Spit it out. The question, not your teeth, sonny. I ain't got forever you know . . .

Dear Jerri,
I know you get a lot of questions about potty training, but I am concerned. My son is almost four years old and still has MANY accidents including pooping and then carrying it around in his pants until I smell it! My mother-in-law thinks we should start be spanking him when he does this. What do you recommend? I hate having to carry a diaper bag for a four year old!
Janie Alexander
Ontario, Canada

Dear Janie,
He's pushin' four , huh and still pushin' it into his britches? Well, you are right about wanting him to start puttin' it in the outhouse and not in his overalls! Just don't fret too much. Every child is different and using the toilet is a highly personal decision, even at that tender age. Chances are, he likes the attention he gets from you -- makes him still feel like Mama's baby and as far as the poop pictures goes, he may very well be scared. Yep, scared. My boy, Jethro used to think he was losin' a part of himself when he popped a loaf. Scared him so bad, he would still crap his Underroos when he was seven! They get over it.

Just start encouraging him when he does well, lots of hugs, kisses, etc. And if he does decide to mess up his pants, he is old enough to start helping you rinse out the "dirt"! Not many kids enjoy having to do that and he just may get the hint!

Just don't resort to threats or spanking. That won't do no good and will just make your problems worse. How would you like someone to stick you on a toilet and scream "Pooooooop!!" in your face? Seems to me your sphincter is gonna clench up, not let loose!!

Dear Jerri,
With Christmas coming up, do you have any favorite gift ideas to give to the grandparents? I imagine you have received just about everything by now! Thanks!
Tiffiny Bremerton
Ft. Meyers, FL

Dear Tiffiny,
Well, you got that right Missy! In all my years I have done got some pretty nice gifts and some things I still can't figure out what the hell they are! Take that Green Shellacked Frog with a pop opener in its groin that my nephew gave me last year. Does he really think I want a dead frog, no matter how shiny, in my kitchen? And the year, my own daughter bought me a truss! Number one, I ain't got no dingle and number two, she should not be buyin' her Mama a prewrapped gift! She said it was supposed to be a scarf, but the wrong tag was put on it! Oh well, live and learn.

These days I really do appreciate the homemade gifts from the young uns. A couple of my favorites are a sweatshirt with their little colored bare feet stamped on it that reads, "I let my grandkids walk all over me." and those casts of their tiny hands. They grow so fast that I like receiving memories. I got enough plastic crap, puzzles and knittin needles to last till I'm 200! As long as you put some thought into the gift, the grandparents are sure to love it! Just don't go buyin' them a shellacked animal.

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