Greenberry
11-06-2002, 10:14 AM
My daughter is 25 months old, and I have been reading everywhere that around age 2 is the best time to begin potty training. I have been working on this for a week with my daughter, and after one week, there has been almost no progress in this area. In the past seven days, she has peed in the potty exactly 4 times (a few drops each time), and I have not even been able to get her near the toilet for No. 2 (she is pretty regular in that aspect, so I usually know when it is coming, and she WILL NOT get anywhere near the bathroom). I have tried putting her on the toilet as often as every half hour to hour, and she sits there, does nothing, and then I put the diaper or Pull-up back on her, and she immediately goes in it.
What do I do? Is the problem that she is just not ready yet? She really doesn't seem to get it, but I keep reading things about "all children can be potty trained by age 2 if their parents are willing to work hard enough." What do they mean by working hard enough? Believe me, I have done very little else in the last seven days except for taking her to the potty and I don't see how I can work any harder. I really don't relish the thought of changing a 4 year old's diaper, which is what I see in my future. Every other transition in my daughter's life has been totally flawless, but this one is turning out to be pretty tough! I have tried putting the potty seat next to the toilet and trying to get her to go when I do (which is very frequent since I am pregnant), rewarding her with stickers and candy, asking her frequently if she needs to potty (she is in the NO phase right now, so the answer is always NO). Will more effort on my part make her "get it" or do I just have to wait until she is ready? I had hoped that she would be totally potty trained by January because the new baby is due in April, and I wanted her to have some time pass between accomplishing the potty training and the arrival of the baby. Please help!
What do I do? Is the problem that she is just not ready yet? She really doesn't seem to get it, but I keep reading things about "all children can be potty trained by age 2 if their parents are willing to work hard enough." What do they mean by working hard enough? Believe me, I have done very little else in the last seven days except for taking her to the potty and I don't see how I can work any harder. I really don't relish the thought of changing a 4 year old's diaper, which is what I see in my future. Every other transition in my daughter's life has been totally flawless, but this one is turning out to be pretty tough! I have tried putting the potty seat next to the toilet and trying to get her to go when I do (which is very frequent since I am pregnant), rewarding her with stickers and candy, asking her frequently if she needs to potty (she is in the NO phase right now, so the answer is always NO). Will more effort on my part make her "get it" or do I just have to wait until she is ready? I had hoped that she would be totally potty trained by January because the new baby is due in April, and I wanted her to have some time pass between accomplishing the potty training and the arrival of the baby. Please help!
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looking4relief
11-06-2002, 12:32 PM
I am going through the potty training nightmare also my daughter is 20 months and I just found a tip from a friend of mine that might help you also.She told me to buy a package of silkie undies and put them on before you add the pullup or diaper it is a bit nasty at first but the good part is when they do go in the diaper it will not just absorb it will lay against there skin in the panties and they are miserable...it has worked with my daughter without to many accidents.GL
Chelle1977
11-06-2002, 01:14 PM
A trick that my mother used when she was babysitting (which is what allows me to remember it) was buying "big boy underwear" (or big girl in your case) with neat characters on it. The boy she was watching only got to wear them if he used the potty. If he had an accident he had to go back to the pull-up/diaper thing. I don't remember the results, but I remember the method.
I week doesn't sound like that long of a time. Letting her see you do it and you're encouragement should allow her to get used to the idea I would think. No expert, myself. Good luck.
I week doesn't sound like that long of a time. Letting her see you do it and you're encouragement should allow her to get used to the idea I would think. No expert, myself. Good luck.
lovelyme
11-06-2002, 04:26 PM
I SWARE BY THE JELLY BEANS!!!!!!! I have got more friends of mine to pottie train successfully with jelly beans. I am proud to say I started the fad and not to worry you can buy sugar free jelly beans. I would take my daughter to the toilet and tell her that if she went I would give her 2 jelly beans. Sometimes 2 for poop and 3 for pottie since pooping is easier to learn than urinating in the toilet. Bowel training usually comes first. So we had a specific cupboard that they stayed in so she knew where they were and what there purpose was. She trained in 2 weeks and hardly ever had accidents after that. My friend did it with Dum Dums and I told her that she should tape them to a poster board or wall near or in the bathroom as a guide like, pottie = 2 lolly pops and poop = 1 lolly pop. Stickers worked just as good. I gave my friend a bunch of jelly beans when her son was having trouble and she thought I was nuts, but it worked and so she has passed on the fad. The first thing people think is, "Candy is bad for their teeth and will make them hyper", when in fact sugar does not have as profound an effect on kids as people might think AND if candy is bad for their teeth how good could being in diapers be at age 4. Their skin's PH changes and that is not good to have happening into later ages. Don't push her, but make the beans visible to her at first to let her see her reward in advance and it may prompt her to want to try and go. It is so simple and think it fun for the kids too. I mean after all pottie training is not really much fun so lets make the best of it.
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Marie
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Marie
Greenberry
11-06-2002, 05:48 PM
Candy has not worked so far. She thinks she gets the candy if she just tries, and usually ends up hysterical when she doesn't get it. I have been giving her candy every time she does go, but it does not seem to be sufficient motivation for her.
I will try the underwear-under-the-diaper, though! Her doctor kept telling me to start putting her in regular underwear, but I just kept envisioning our furniture and NEW CARPET getting peed on constantly, so I really didn't want to do that. It really never occured to me put a diaper on over the underwear. I will definitely try it! And I am trying a variation of the second suggestion--she gets to wear a Pull-up (which we call "big-girl panties") if she succeeds, but if not, it's back to the diaper. It hasn't worked so far, but I've only been trying it for a day or two.
Thanks for all of the suggestions!
I will try the underwear-under-the-diaper, though! Her doctor kept telling me to start putting her in regular underwear, but I just kept envisioning our furniture and NEW CARPET getting peed on constantly, so I really didn't want to do that. It really never occured to me put a diaper on over the underwear. I will definitely try it! And I am trying a variation of the second suggestion--she gets to wear a Pull-up (which we call "big-girl panties") if she succeeds, but if not, it's back to the diaper. It hasn't worked so far, but I've only been trying it for a day or two.
Thanks for all of the suggestions!
Chelle1977
11-06-2002, 06:03 PM
Hey greenberry .. when I said 'big girl panties' I was referring to real underwear. With my limited experience, the pull-ups are too hard to do alone.
2mmk
11-06-2002, 10:13 PM
I am trying what lovelyme advised, but with M&M's-so far so good. For some reason my 29month old son is doing great at daycare (they have a midget real potty-not a potty chair, but a small toilet - never saw one and my son loves it) they tell him it's time to go and he goes dry all day, they are more trained I think then him though?? Because when he gets home I have a heck of a time, this is my 3rd child and the other two were a breeze I guess I'm just out of practice. At home I also do allow my him to run around bare butt (of course when no one else is around) he will not go and he will tell me if he has to - even poop, but If I put big boy underwear on he will wet I even tried boxers (so they were so sung fitting) he still wet. So I'm hoping with him running around a little in the evening with nothing on he will eventually get the feel of it??? And be able to wear underwear. I'm just haning in there hoping some day :)
lovelyme
11-07-2002, 03:39 PM
Oh yeah use real underwear and a pottie seat that fits on the toilet itself so you then do not have transition them to that later. Try to get a seat without side handles either because that promotes touching the seat later when they sit on the real thing.
Greenberry
11-07-2002, 04:14 PM
There has been progress today! She has gone twice and has been rewarded with candy and was so excited! I think she finally gets it! She still is not telling me BEFORE she goes, but maybe we can work on that next week when I implement the underwear-under-her-diaper plan!
Also, I had a little potty chair AND a seat to fit on the big toilet, but I had to take the little potty seat out. Everytime we went in the bathroom, she could not make up her mind which one she wanted to use and always ended up unhappy and screaming no matter if I put her on the big toilet or the little potty, so we removed the one that was portable and things are a lot happier now.
Also, I had a little potty chair AND a seat to fit on the big toilet, but I had to take the little potty seat out. Everytime we went in the bathroom, she could not make up her mind which one she wanted to use and always ended up unhappy and screaming no matter if I put her on the big toilet or the little potty, so we removed the one that was portable and things are a lot happier now.
Lindarella
11-07-2002, 11:30 PM
That's good to hear Green :) I also used food reward for my kids. I used half a stick of gum instead as that's something you hardly ever give a 2 year old. I thought maybe the gum would be a nightmare with them getting it stuck on stuff or in their hair but 2 year olds don't understand the concept of keeping on chewing. Well, at least my kids didn't, they swallowed it after a few chews just like candy.
I don't remember potty training very well. The kids are in college now... They also didn't have any such things as pull-ups. They did have underwear refered to then as "training pants". What they were are very thick underwear so that when they go they feel it but it's pretty thick so it doesn't go all over the place. Maybe they still make those. It may help.
I do remember I didn't use any kind of special seat.
I think any way you can get them to go is the correct way for you and your child. Hope things still continue to go well for you both. :wave:
I don't remember potty training very well. The kids are in college now... They also didn't have any such things as pull-ups. They did have underwear refered to then as "training pants". What they were are very thick underwear so that when they go they feel it but it's pretty thick so it doesn't go all over the place. Maybe they still make those. It may help.
I do remember I didn't use any kind of special seat.
I think any way you can get them to go is the correct way for you and your child. Hope things still continue to go well for you both. :wave:
bratinpain
11-08-2002, 02:07 AM
I WAS JUST READING ALL YOUR HELPFUL HINTS AND WANT TO THANK YOU ALSO! I HAVE BEN TRYING TO TRAIN MY 31MONTH OLD FOR UMMMM ABOUT 1 MONTH SHE POOPS ON POTTY BUT WONT PEE! SO I WILL HAVE TO TRY THE SILK PANTIES AND THE M&M HINT CAUSE SHE LOVES M&MS! THANK YOU AGAIN ALL!
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De Lou
11-08-2002, 02:49 AM
Hi-
I just saw on TV that Dr.Phill on his show today being 11/8 will be having how to potty train your child in 1 day. Don't know to much else about the show. There is a site called bravenet and it has all kinds of ideas.
I will tell you what I had done with my youngest. I was so fed up with his wetting and all that goes with it that I finally one day ste the stove timer. We started the day with every 1/2 it went off we went on the potty. Sat there for about 10 mins and then set the timer again for the 30 mins. and went about it the same way. When he finally did potty in his chair I set the timer for every hour I think this was 2 times and everytime we went in there I would grab books. Well when he went I went to 1 1/2 hrs I think one time. So he knew that when the timer went off that was where we were going. Well after that last timer went off he was going in there on his own and the next day we did not use any timers and I think he wet once but he would go in there and potty by himself. It was funny though becuase a few days after the day we used the timer I had made some cookies when the timer went off for them and the next few times I used the oven he would reassure me when he heard the beeping that "Mommy I just went potty don't you know" Anyway so only the one day after the timer was the only day he wet. He is 4 1/2 now and has never had a night time wetting. Of course this may not work for anyone else. But I was to the point where enough is enough. This is just an idea. Now we just need to work on his aim. Altough he is much better then his older brothers. I think the should really make toilets wider Ha Ha. We tried cheerios these little floater sponge like things. Oh well at least he tries.
Good Luck and just be paitent. They say all children will do it when they are ready. Oh and pull ups have never worked with my boys. I think they feel to much like diapers on thier bottoms. Bed time was the only time I used them.
DE
I just saw on TV that Dr.Phill on his show today being 11/8 will be having how to potty train your child in 1 day. Don't know to much else about the show. There is a site called bravenet and it has all kinds of ideas.
I will tell you what I had done with my youngest. I was so fed up with his wetting and all that goes with it that I finally one day ste the stove timer. We started the day with every 1/2 it went off we went on the potty. Sat there for about 10 mins and then set the timer again for the 30 mins. and went about it the same way. When he finally did potty in his chair I set the timer for every hour I think this was 2 times and everytime we went in there I would grab books. Well when he went I went to 1 1/2 hrs I think one time. So he knew that when the timer went off that was where we were going. Well after that last timer went off he was going in there on his own and the next day we did not use any timers and I think he wet once but he would go in there and potty by himself. It was funny though becuase a few days after the day we used the timer I had made some cookies when the timer went off for them and the next few times I used the oven he would reassure me when he heard the beeping that "Mommy I just went potty don't you know" Anyway so only the one day after the timer was the only day he wet. He is 4 1/2 now and has never had a night time wetting. Of course this may not work for anyone else. But I was to the point where enough is enough. This is just an idea. Now we just need to work on his aim. Altough he is much better then his older brothers. I think the should really make toilets wider Ha Ha. We tried cheerios these little floater sponge like things. Oh well at least he tries.
Good Luck and just be paitent. They say all children will do it when they are ready. Oh and pull ups have never worked with my boys. I think they feel to much like diapers on thier bottoms. Bed time was the only time I used them.
DE
lovelyme
11-08-2002, 04:06 PM
Pre-schools usually do the every 20 minute idea too. SILK panties from the post before the last shocked me a bit since cotton crotch is better, but SILK. Kids underwear doesn't even come like that I don't think unless you shop for children's underwear at Neiman Marcus or Sak's! Maybe Prada, eh? I hope you were just kidding.
wattagirl
11-08-2002, 11:26 PM
if there is someone who doesn't like the candy reward thing here is another idea-instead of candy or food make a weekly chart and buy some stickers-stars,smilies,flowers-let your child pick them out-and when they go potty let them put a sticker on that day-i know it sounds dumb but children love this kind of thing-when i taught preschool i had the parents make charts to get the children to do chores-it worked for most of them great
looking4relief
11-12-2002, 06:34 PM
Sorry if I was misunderstood I do not mean to suggest you put actual silk panties on a toddler...what I am talking about is the little girls panties that do have a cotton crotch but our a thin satin or nylon pantie..yes they do sell them and they work on little girls in two ways the first being they like pretty things and second if you had that material on and were to get it wet it would be more uncomfortable then a pull up after all pull up's are pretty much just underwear are kids can pee in they still absorb the wetness which is why I suggested these be worn underneath the pull up or diaper.This just like everyone elses idea is just a suggestion if you don't like it then don't try it.Every kid is different that is one thing I think we can all agree on.
Greenberry
11-12-2002, 07:58 PM
I understood what you meant. I will be giving this a try later in the week.
lovelyme
11-22-2002, 04:28 PM
How is potty training going Greenberry? I have to say that I disagree about pull ups after age 2. I think they are far from being like real underwear. Put on a depends pull up (they have them) and tell me it feels like real underwear. They feel like the inside of a diaper still and so children often mistake them for such and continue to wet them. So you have to wash extra pairs of underwear from accidents and you might have to clean up a few messes, but that is what kids are about and they soon get tired of peeing on themselves anyway. Trial and error I guess.
DSW67
12-04-2002, 09:25 AM
Hi,
I just wanted to put my 2 cents in. When my boys where going through potty training, I tried everything. What finally worked is when we went big boy underwear, actually it was the training cotton underwear. The thick kind, somewhat absorbant but not completely. Anyways, when they wet themselves, they had to go to the bathroom and take thier clothes off. They hated it because the clothes where wet and clingy. Soon they realized that if they went on the potty, they wouldn't have to take off wet icky clothes themselves. Just a thought.
Greenberry--How is the training going for you?
Deb
I just wanted to put my 2 cents in. When my boys where going through potty training, I tried everything. What finally worked is when we went big boy underwear, actually it was the training cotton underwear. The thick kind, somewhat absorbant but not completely. Anyways, when they wet themselves, they had to go to the bathroom and take thier clothes off. They hated it because the clothes where wet and clingy. Soon they realized that if they went on the potty, they wouldn't have to take off wet icky clothes themselves. Just a thought.
Greenberry--How is the training going for you?
Deb
Greenberry
12-04-2002, 09:54 AM
No. 1 training is going pretty well, but she still won't tell me BEFORE she goes (or after either, for that matter). And No. 2 training is impossible. She is really obvious about when she is about to poop, and I try to grab her up and run into the bathroom with her, and she screams and screams and refuses to go then. She doesn't seem to mind being dirty--I think she would run around all day in a crappy diaper. And she hates having her diaper or Pull-up changed, and I keep telling her if she would poop in the potty I would't have to change her, but she JUST DOESN'T GET IT. Some days, I am just about sick of this (and apparently today is one of those days)...
2mmk
12-04-2002, 10:02 PM
I have a BIG question.~~ Why won't my son go poop on the potty????? He hates to have poop in his pull-up (is what we are using) and he hates for me to change, he will run and hide to poop and then basically stay away from me until I find out he pooped??? Does anyone have any adivse. I never have yelled or scolded him for pooping his pants, but I do say "you need to go potty in toilet" and so on, but he tries to hide from me. He is doing great with peeing. But not so good with pooping?? HELP> Thanks.
Eeyore II
12-13-2002, 01:26 AM
My son wouldnt go poop on the potty for nothing at all. someone told me about a book and it might help. i got it called EVERYBODY POOPS. its actually quite cute but a little gross. he actually did it after that only in the big potty nota little one. Come to find out he was afraid to go in his for some reason.
PAISLEY
12-13-2002, 02:08 PM
Originally posted by Greenberry:
No. 1 training is going pretty well, but she still won't tell me BEFORE she goes (or after either, for that matter). And No. 2 training is impossible. She is really obvious about when she is about to poop, and I try to grab her up and run into the bathroom with her, and she screams and screams and refuses to go then. She doesn't seem to mind being dirty--I think she would run around all day in a crappy diaper. And she hates having her diaper or Pull-up changed, and I keep telling her if she would poop in the potty I would't have to change her, but she JUST DOESN'T GET IT. Some days, I am just about sick of this (and apparently today is one of those days)...
Please be patient! I was just like you too..."sick of this". But one day, it finally CLICKED and for GOOD! I've been there so I'm rooting for ya! :)
No. 1 training is going pretty well, but she still won't tell me BEFORE she goes (or after either, for that matter). And No. 2 training is impossible. She is really obvious about when she is about to poop, and I try to grab her up and run into the bathroom with her, and she screams and screams and refuses to go then. She doesn't seem to mind being dirty--I think she would run around all day in a crappy diaper. And she hates having her diaper or Pull-up changed, and I keep telling her if she would poop in the potty I would't have to change her, but she JUST DOESN'T GET IT. Some days, I am just about sick of this (and apparently today is one of those days)...
Please be patient! I was just like you too..."sick of this". But one day, it finally CLICKED and for GOOD! I've been there so I'm rooting for ya! :)