Potty Training Might Kill Me

As I'm writing, my 3.5 year old son is sitting on the potty, trying (well at least he's supposed to be trying) to go poopy. He's sitting there because he just pooped in his pants for the 6-7th day in a row.

He's been 85% potty trained since he turned 3, but we've majorly digressed in the last 2 weeks. (The only major life change is that his big brother (age 6) is home for the summer - perhaps my 3.5 yr old just wants more attention.) So we've gone from his beloved "big boy pants" in Lightning McQueen print to pull-ups. But he doesn't care. He doesn't care whether he's doing 'baby' things or big boy independent things. He doesn't care about getting incentives for pooping in the potty. I'm at a total loss.

Perhaps I need to re-evaluate. Am I angry because it's an inconvience to change his poopy pants, or am I concerned for his overall development? Am I giving him enough time, attention and love? Am I encouraging him to be independent in age-appropriate ways? Am I being grateful that at least he chooses to pee in the potty, instead of his pants?

So I fall on my knees, again, admitting that I can't do this mommy-thing by myself. I need sovereign help. I need God's patience, God's wisdom, and God's endurance to be a good mommy. So perhaps this is the perspective change I need - a reminder that I'm not supposed to be a mommy in my own strength. I'm supposed to be a mommy depending on the Lord's indwelling strength minute-by-minute. Oh, that's opposite of my independent nature!!

I'd appreciate your prayers and ideas!

Humbly,