The Batman Years

When Keaton was a toddler the Batman movies (the older ones with Micheal Keaton and then Val Kilmer) were really hot. Keaton was just one-year-old when Batman Forever came out. But he was mesmerized by the whole Batman phenomenon.

When he started walking I bought him a pair of Batman tennis shoes. And the obsession took off from there. [So I guess I really should admit to some of the blame here.]

We bought all of the Batman movies on VHS and watched them over and over and over and over. At a mere two years of age he could tell you the names of all the characters and what happens in each of the movies. He probably could have recited dialogue if you asked.

He had every single Batman figurine they made. The good guys and the bad guys. Plus all of the cars and planes and motorcycles from the movies. He would play with them for hours. He didn’t ask for, nor did he need any other toys. He would only play with his Batmans.

He owned plenty of Batman clothing. T-shirts, sweatshirts, and, of course, his favorite shoes. He had Batman and Robin pajamas. And the best part? They came with a cape attached. He even got his big brother, Justis, on the bandwagon. They ran around the house in their Batman & Robin pajamas with their capes flowing behind them like they were off to save the world. Or at least our house.

Keaton’s obsession with Batman last for may years. And that obsession flowed in to his Halloween costumes. As you know, he was an alligator and cow for his first Halloween in 1994. But in 1995 he was Batman. In 1996 he was Batman. And in 1997, he changed it up a bit. He was Robin. Finally in 1998 we got him out of a Batman costume and in to something else. He was Barney. [I know, what were we thinking letting him be that stupid purple dinosaur.] But, ironically, that year Lee and I dressed up as Batman and Batgirl for a Halloween party we went to. What can I say? We just couldn’t get enough of Batman.

So for YEARS I was forced to listen to incessant babble about Batman on the Batman all day, every day channel that was our life (which now that I think back was still 100 times better than the Pokemon years…I despise Pokemon). But there was one thing I am grateful to Batman for. Potty training.

Keaton still wasn’t potty trained by his third birthday and I was beginning to envision him in high school wearing pull-ups. He just wasn’t in to the potty at all. I would sit on the floor in the bathroom and read books to him until he tinkled just a tiny bit. Then I’d get so excited. And we’d clap. And cheer. And then two hours later he’d pee in his pants. It was torture.

I tried bribing him. I got some skittles and told him if he’d go potty in the toilet like a big boy he’d get some Skittles. He’d tinkle a teeny-tiny bit. Just to get the Skittles. Then he’d finish in his diaper 10 minutes later.

I was becoming discouraged. It was like he was taunting me. Then one day out of desperation (and a little bit of anger) I told him, “I’m not buying you another Batman until you start going potty in the toilet.”

From that day on? He started using the toilet instead of peeing in his diaper. It was a Batman miracle. He just needed a little incentive. Something close to his heart.

And 24 hours later. After he’d been using the toilet consistently. He said, “Where’s my Batman?” It’s just all about finding what motivates them.