Our Mantra
The next photo is the PROMPT. Remember, all photos are property of the photographer, donated for use in Friday Fictioneers only. They shouldn’t be used for any other purpose without express permission. It is proper etiquette to give the contributor credit.
As you can see, we’re jumping on the Black and White Bandwagon of late. 😉
PHOTO PROMPT © What’s His Name
Ladies and Gentlemen, the story you’re about to read is true…
Genre: Anecdote
Word Count: 100
GOING CONCERN
Proverbs 22:6 admonishes parents to “train up a child…”
No one bears the weight of it more than mothers of sons graduating from diapers to Underoos. I was convinced when one of mine said, “I do” at the altar, he would.
Toilet training was often touch-and-no-go. Number One-of-Three loved to show me his creations, real or imagined. Once he brought me the empty chair insert and chortled. “Potty, Mommy.”
“In a pig’s eye,” I muttered.
From then on, whenever he made a deposit he’d bring it to me and say, “Pig’s eyes.”
Oh be careful little lips what you say.
Rochelle Wisoff-Fields-Addicted to Purple 
ha ha ha – something very recent in my family history, this one. Very well told.
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Dear Peter,
Every family with children experiences this. I’m told that girls are easier to train. I never had one so I don’t know. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good morning, Rochelle.
This sounds like a case of potty mouth to me.
Randy
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Good morning, Randy,
Such a thing to say. I’m flushed. Tanks.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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love the extra humor in the posts… omg – flushed – and tanks! this is so fun
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The endless inventiveness of a small mind trying to make sense of a new world! Beautifully captured Rochelle
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Dear Neil
That particular little mind didn’t miss a beat. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Rochelle,
Out of the mouths of babes! I love how families develop their own “code words” through situations like these.
This one is precious!
Lotsa love,
Dale
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Dear Dale,
As I recall it took me a while to convince him that Potty and Pig’s Eyes weren’t the same thing. 😉 Thank you.
Lotsa love back atcha.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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😂
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Cute and funny anecdote, Rochelle. I could picture it. My son was a late bloomer. He finally understood the process when he was three then no problem. He was visiting with my dad’s next-door-neighbor and told her, “I have to go to the bathroom. I better go home now.” She thought it was so cute. 😀 — Suzanne
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Dear Suzanne,
Surely all of us who are mothers have lived this scene. Actually my first son was the easiest. My third was another story entirely. When he was two and a half I told him that big boys go in the potty and babies go in their diapers. His reply? “I’m not a big boy. I’m a baby.” It was useless to fight that logic Magically, at three, he was ready and that was that. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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It’s fun to look back and have a laugh about those frantic days chasing after toddlers, potty-training and the lot!
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Dear Fatima,
I remember thinking I’d never make it through those toddler days, now they’re all grown men. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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What does it mean, what you said, “in a pig’s eye”?
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Dear Joyful,
It’s an expression of disbelief. Say if someone told me the grass had turned purple I might say, “Right. In a pig’s eye.” Does that clear it up?
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Funny, and too true.
My darling daughter took a while to forgive when my grandson reported that I said ‘Women are all crazy’.
This was after a lady went through a red light and almost whacked us on a crossing.
But, in truth, it could have been anytime!
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Dear CE,
No fiction in this story. 😉 Thank you.
As for your story…it works both ways. 😉
http://www.weirdnutdaily.com/6iv
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Kids can be so funny. Cute story.
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Thank you, Trent.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Great anecdote. It sounds like the truth, recorded rather beautifully. Thank you for the smile, Rochelle!
Shalom
Penny
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Dear Penny,
This story is the whole truth and nothing but the truth. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That’s really funny. When I was a little kid, I called poop “cornpopper.” I don’t know the origin, but I assume I came up with it some time in the summer 😉
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Dear Josh,
Truth can be so much funnier than fiction. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Hahhhahhah.
I loved your story so much, Rochelle and could really relate to it. I especially loved’I was convinced when one of mine said, “I do” at the altar, he would.’
Thanks for the smiles, your story will rewind more than once tonight, I know.
Love and regards,
Moon
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Dear Moon,
Thank you for such a lovely and affirming comment. It makes going through potty training three times worth it somehow. 😉 Suffice it to say when each of them made it to the altar, they stayed dry. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A lovely story. One that I can certainly identify with, although I am still within those days and not looking back on them yet. So poignant and real – the joyful every day stuff that remains and makes us chuckle always x Thanks I really enjoyed it! All my first thoughts are very dark and tense stories – I liked the lightness of this one. Beautifully written.
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Dear Anna,
Potty training is frustrating at times. I did learn with having three, that they aren’t all ready at the same time and forcing the issue only makes matters worse. 😉
As for dark stories, mine tend to be on the dark side so I’ve lightened up for a while. But you gotta go where the muse leads.
Thank you for your lovely comments.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Pooping out pig’s eyes. The mind boggles.
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Dear James,
Now that’s a visual. Thanks. 😉
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Funny anecdote. Our boys had many, many hilarious lines, and events growing up. Especially when they discovered how to record their own videos. This was one of the earlier “funnies” of many. Good job.
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Dear Jan,
“Daddy, I love your burps.” comes to mind. 😉 Thank you, m’luv.
Rochelle
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Ha ha – well I’m pleased to say that I’ve never been involved in potty training!
Susan A Eames at
Travel, Fiction and Photos
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Dear Susan,
It wasn’t my favorite part of child rearing. 😉 Thank you for the read and the comment.
Shalom,
Rochele
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Such a gentle, sweet and totally imaginable anecdote. I can see your face…
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Dear Sandra,
I can’t say I was the most patient of mothers. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ah, that’s the sweetest thing. Fortunately, they do all ‘get it’ in the end, don’t they – even if you think they never will! Such awarm and lovely story Rochelle
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Dear Lynn,
As far as I know my sons all stayed dry at their weddings…save, perhaps, the sweat rolling down their backs. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Haha! You see, they all get there in the end 🙂
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That could turn into a secret code – just the thing to help bind a family. Um…. no pun intended. Honest.
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Dear Alice,
Pun should always be intended. 😉 Potty was pig’s eyes for some time to come. But it all worked out in the end.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh this is a timely story Rochelle. We’re just about to start potty training Hannah. I’ll never mention pig’s eyes during the process. I just my little lips don’t say something far worse when potty training takes that inevitable wrong turn. Great story!
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Dear Eric,
Oh those little minds are steel traps. And they seem to pick up just the words you don’t want them to. You can spend hours teaching them to say “Thank you.” and utter an epithet once. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Dear Alice Ludden W(T)F,
I can’t recall naming any of mine, but I guess it’s not too late to start. After all I’m pretty good at coming up with names, right? I am familiar with the expression “sinking submarines.” I suppose Jan invented that one when he was in the Navy.
Would you prefer corn cobs or a catalog?
What’s His Name
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Dear What’s His Name,
I’ll never forget you. And I can’t speak for Jan. I’ve known who tossed Cheerios in the bowl and made a game out of their little boys sinking them. And we didn’t exactly name it…But you know how those things slip out.
Shalom,
Alice Ludden W(T)F
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I remember those coping days well…
Mine to be done today. Hope you will check in.
Scott
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Dear Scott,
I’m happy those days are behind us. 😉 Loved your Timmy story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Thank you so very much.
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those days brought back memories Rochelle..makes me laugh now
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Dear Akshata,
It’s nice to look back and laugh, isn’t it? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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As a parent, my twins are at this stage right now. I’d like to say it’s as amusing as your story, but in reality, it’s really not much fun!!
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Dear Iain,
Twins? Twice the fun. Not. I do understand. In fact, when the pregnancy test came back positive for my third son the first thing that popped into my mind was, “Oh no! I have to potty train another one!” True story.
Best wishes to you, your little ones and their mum. Someday it will be a memory, I promise.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I will hold you to that promise! 🙂
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Such a delightful anecdote! Kids hear EVERYTHING you say, whether you like it or not. 😉
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Dear Magarisa,
Little ones are such parrots, aren’t they? Unless there’s something you WANT them to say. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Absolutely!
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Loved this whimsical tale more so because it was based on reality.
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Dear Cindy,
Saw the toilet…had to go there. He he. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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some moms let their kids sit there whether they’re ready to go or not. voila! sooner or later they get the drift. 🙂
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Dear Plaridel,
I think when parents start training too early, they’re training themselves. At any rate, sooner or later they learn, regardless of the method. Nice to see you back. Thanks for stopping by to read and comment.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Good story. We all have memories of those potty training days. 🙂 When our grandchildren’s (Steph’s twins, boy & girl) time came to potty train them I made up a little song to the tun of, “Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star” that went like this, “Tinkle, Tinkle, that is me. Mama said to sit and pee. If I don’t then I won’t be, potty trained when I am three.” 🙂 It worked most of the time, but we had to sweeten the deal with an M&M candy for every pee and poo they did, and a penny too for their piggy bank. They each had their own potties in case they had to go at the same time. They did not want to be outdone by the other. The potty seats had little melodies that played when they peed into them. When they got a bit older they wanted quarters for every time and extra M&Ms. lol
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Dear Joyce,
So you finally had the experience of training a boy, too. My mom always said boys were easier because my brother was easier than I. I had nothing to compare it to. Three boys, no girls. Shannon was the easiest…Christian the hardest. 🙂
Thanks for coming by. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I wasn’t seeing your blog site coming up in my feed all the time, so reset it to ‘follow’ again. Sorry. Don’t know how it happened. I like to read all your stories. Got the rest of your books now, too, and in those.
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No problem, Joyce, although I thought it was odd when I got the follow notification. I thought you already were following. Stuff happens. Speaking of…you know about Della, right? https://rochellewisoff.com/2017/11/25/della/
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There was a glitch somewhere down the road with my old followed sites. Yes, I knew about Della right off as I’m on the list of contacts she had that now is kept and monitored by Bob H. I sent off a card to Roy. Wish so much we could have been there for her funeral. Even had an email from her just two days before her surgery this last time. So sad and know how much she will be missed. Did you get to go to the funeral service today?
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Yes, Evangel Temple was packed out. She touched so many. I don’t who is or isn’t on the contact list. I figured you probably were. It was a beautiful service and so many long ago familiar faces.
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I imagined that would be the case and not surprised at the turnout for her service. What an inspiration she was and mentor to so many, including Wayne and I. I was just 14 yrs. old when we moved to KC when my mom & dad took the sr. pastorate position there at the church. I babysat for Mike and Mark at that age, and she was like a surrogate mother to many of us teenagers.
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Ever so much fun! Not ever having little ones, I can’t quite relate but OH! I’ve heard the stories (which I shall not relate to anyone.) Thanks for sharing a fun memory, Lish
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Dear Lish,
I can’t say this was my favorite part of child rearing. 😉 But I always laughed at this one. The moment he said ‘pig’s eyes’ I knew I’d made a near fatal mistake in teaching language. Happy to share the ‘joy’ with you. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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And as a parent, you have to be just as proud of your little ones ‘deposits’ as your child. Darling story, and memory I am sure.
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Dear Susan,
I remember one time the same child brought me his deposit to ooh and ahh over. I had the flu. Oy. Thank you for reading. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh I love this! There is always potty celebrations for such marvelous porcelain accomplishments.
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Dear Susie,
You put me in mind of the time, as a cake decorator in a grocery bakery, someone asked for a cookie decorated to look like a toilet to celebrate their child’s toilet training. I still have a picture of it somewhere. I never had such celebrations for mine other than buying them very special underwear. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I had a giggle – of course !!! I wont launch into my stories, but like yours, they are unforgettable, and in my case, sometimes unmentionable !!!
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Dear Valerie,
Oh I would love for you to launch into a few of your stories! I’m pleased that mine made you giggle. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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A beautiful anecdote that all of us could relate to. Brought more than a chuckle. Thanks Rochelle for such lovely writing, even if it is about nothing but a pot of …you know what.
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Dear Neel
Although it wasn’t a gem in the story, some of those memories are pure gold. 😉 Thank you. Glad it brought you a chuckle.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Funny story Rochelle! Raising children (especially boys) is quite exciting.
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Dear Nan,
I read somewhere that heaven holds a special place for the mothers of boys. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Awwee so cute. My wife always complains that she has to compete with the loo for my affection 🙂
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Dear Anuragbakshi,
Where else can a person catch uninterrupted reading time? 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Ha, nice! I’m terrified to open my mouth sometimes when there are toddlers in the vicinity 🙂
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Dear Ali,
Toddlers seem to repeat everything but what you want them to. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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My granddaughter is rising three – still at the stage of dancing on the spot denying she needs to go until the last minute! Nice one!
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Dear Liz,
I remember what my mother referred to as the potty dance. We learned all the steps when the boys were little. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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That is one delightful story! I was a late late bloomer. 🙂
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Thank you, Loré. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Bahahahaha!! 🤣 hilarious story Rochelle
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Glad it made you laugh, Laurie. Thank you. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Reblogged this on All About Writing and more.
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Haha. Well told and funny. I loved your thought as your son was at the alter.
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Dear Irene,
Fortunately none of my sons had accidents at the altar…at least, not that I’m aware of. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I’m pleased to hear that Rochelle.
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Gotta love little boys 🙂 Great story.
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Thank you, Linda. 😀
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle,
Absolutely HILARIOUS !!! This was a funny and laughable read. Thanks for sharing.
Mike
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Dear Mike,
Glad you came by for the read and the laughs. I know you and Nan can relate well since you’re one son up on me. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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You surely did train him. I hope he doesn’t pass it on. Or do you?
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Dear Sabina,
Thankfully, our children do make it through toilet training and so do we. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Precious amazing days but exhausting too! Sometimes I do wonder how I managed to get through it all. A fun enjoyable anecdote Rochelle 🙂
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Dear Dahlia,
Of all the parts of child rearing that might have been my least favorite, or certainly at the bottom five of the list. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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When I turned on my computer this morning I had no idea I’d be reading a story and 100 comments about potty training! We can always rely on you to be different Rochelle.Excellent.
Click to read my FriFic!
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Dear Keith,
It’s a good thing (or job as you might say) I checked my spam folder. I don’t know why your delightful comment went there. Thank you so much.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Rochelle, one of the best parts of being back with the Fictioneers is getting to read your writing. This week’s was witty, funny and nostalgic all at once. 🙂
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Dear Jan,
In my five years in Friday Fictioneers I’ve met so many different writers. Some I didn’t mind seeing them leave others I keenly felt the loss. You’re among the latter. Happy to see you back this week. I find the 100 word helps get the juices flowing in the morning…along with the necessary caffeine. 😉 Thank you for your kind words re my story.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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THank you for sharing this, I almost dread the future potty training of my future children! this was cute and light hearted! Loved it, also, this is very fun!
♥Sin
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Dear Sin,
Fortunately, at that age, children are cuddly and cute. 😉 At the time it seems that that phase will last forever…it doesn’t. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh, man, that was hilarious! I nannied a little boy who dropped the seat on his … well, you know, and then was terrified of the toilet. Had no problem with the bush out back, though. Took months to teach him how to hold the seat with one hand. Oh, the memories…. heheh!
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Dear Jelli,
My youngest was quite fond of going outside but not so much when it came to the porcelain throne. 😉 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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Oh this was funny… I know that kids goes to different phases (or phases of feces)… I didn’t have any time to join in the week and might write something before bedtime.
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Dear Björn,
The links are open until Tuesday. 😉 Glad you enjoyed my story. Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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OMG…that made me laugh!
I totally believe this!
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Dear Dawn,
I’m glad you totally believe it because it’s totally true. 😀 Thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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I woke up from my cough syrup haze and wrote a little poem for this photo, much later, waking up ‘sober’ I read it and decided it was far to disgusting to post. That said, I love your story. Hope to be feeling better and up to writing this week. 🙂
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Dear Jelli,
I’m so sorry about your cough and hope you’re well soon. Re my story, thank you.
Shalom,
Rochelle
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