Friend in Need of Potty Training Help... - Plano,TX

I didn't have this problem, but I had some friends who did. The only solutions they came up with are:

1. Duct tape his diaper together. It made it really hard for them to get their diaper apart.

2. Make them clean it up. I had a friend who was trying to potty train her 2 1/2 year-old girl. She always pooped her pants...for about a year! Finally her mom made her clean it up one day, & the little girl never did it again.

Also, maybe your friend is trying way too soon to potty-train. I didn't even attempt until my son was 3, & then I gave him a countdown for his 3rd birthday. Once he turned 3, the diapers were gone. I warned him about a month before his birthday, & potty-training went well.

22 months is way too young to potty train for most kiddos in my experience. This guy isn't even 2. Boys are notorious for taking longer and it seems those who start early take the longest and their parents have the hardest time.

I guess I would ask her if her child is really showing signs of readiness. Also, is he talking? If he can't tell them he needs to go potty (or at least communicate it via signs), I think she's setting herself up for a whole world of pain. Here are some readiness signs I found online:

* Your child stays dry for at least two hours during the day and is dry after naps, which indicates that she's able to remain dry for an extended period of time.
* Your child can follow simple instructions, such as a request to sit down or remove his clothing.
* Shows an interest in wearing underwear.
* Walk to and from the bathroom, sit still on his own for at least a few minutes.
* Shows obvious signs of discomfort when the diaper is soiled.
* Has predictable bowel movements on a regular basis.
* Expresses an interest in using the toilet or potty seat.
* Indicates through facial expression, posture, or language that he's ready to use the toilet.
* Your child asks to wear grown-up underwear.
* Your child may be ready to begin when the diaper stays dry more and more often overnight.
* Your child will begin to notice the potty and want to sit on the toilet.
* The child may express displeasure with a wet or dirty diaper, or may not want to wear a diaper anymore.

My son was one of the youngest in his peer group and he was 2 1/2. Most of his friends were 3 before they potty trained. When they were ready, they "trained" in less than a month. They have to be ready or else you're wasting your time and getting frustrated over soemthing your child just isn't developmentally ready to do.

Sounds like he just likes taking his diaper off (which in our experience was NOT a sign of potty readiness but just toddler mayhem). I would suggest putting him in clothes that make that hard to do (ie overalls, onesies, etc.).

Hey, R.,

PLEASE tell your friend that unless her son is indicating that he WANTS to potty train, he's way too young! (Even if it is his idea, she shouldn't expect him to be "fully" trained until he's much closer to being 3.) I agree with the other moms that having the new baby is not really helping, but she might want to let her "big boy" help by getting her diapers for the baby at changing time. If she is really insisting on the potty training, try putting Devin in pull-up pants, too. My little boy is doing much better with them (most of the time, anyway). We like Huggies Pull-Ups better, because when he does rip them apart, I can refasten them like his diapers. We also get ours at Sam's, because they have the biggest boxes available (that I've found, anyway) at a much lower price! ($26 for 88 pants)

Yes, I know having 2 in diapers is no fun, but it's still a WHOLE lot easier than trying to clean the poop all over the house from the older one, who still isn't ready. (Try talking to moms of multiples!! They *always* have more than one in diapers!) Not to mention, the "accidental" risk of the baby getting hold of some!

You can also email me privately at ____@____.com. I use some awesome cleaning products that will definitely help with the smell, and the products are SAFER for the kids to be around, too! I use them for cleaning my son's potty chair every time he uses it.

Good luck to both of you!
~J.~
____@____.com
www.livetotalwellness.com/J.

R.,
My son was potty trained at 2, but most boys will usually train about 3. He is getting attention by doing what he is doing. I think you said that there is a new baby...he is wanting attention and he is at the age where he wants to do things on his own. I would put a onesie on him or do the duct tape thing. He will find something else to get into sooner or later.
L.