Potty Training HELP!!!! - McKinney,TX

Although all of these methods are great always keep in mind that you cant rush them. A few other children in my family (cousins or sisters kids) learned how to go potty quick. My daughter took AGES to learn this. Basically I tried pullups with no luck so I just did the panties idea. Well after one accident she just refused to wear them or refused to pee at all (she would hold it in no matter what even if put on the potty). She would eventually complain about her peepee hurting and so on. SO I had to put her in pullups so when she was ready she could go on her own. I would then 2 weeks later try again giving her a break. Then try again and if she didnt get it I would give her another break. After about 2-3 breaks I tried again and she picked it up in a day. I then started the sticker method. My son was opposite and figured he was ready by himself. With both I would have them in panties or undies at home but when we would go out put pullups on them because when they are first starting to learn they dont have great control and accidents can happen on the way to the potty.

I believe that no matter what be patient. I know it may get frustrating and it may come easily and may not. But remember that it is a big change for them from you saying "NO dont pee without the diaper on!", in fear of having a pee stain on the carpet, to "Dont pee in the diaper". I dont think many parent take the time to sit back and think how confusing this may be for them not to mention different feeling like you are going to fall in this hole. Imagine the feeling you get when you are sleepy and accidentally sit on a toilet when the lid is NOT down. Try to be understanding aswell as try different ways to award them (stickers or pizes) aswell as reassure them that nothing bad will happen.

KEY POINT: BE PATIENT! If it doesnt come easily stay calm or atleast hide your frustration so your kiddo wont pick up on it.

I personally feel that the 3-day method is a crock. Our son would be accident free for hours, if he was naked. He would sit on the potty. He'd read books about the potty. He just wouldn't go in it. We tried the Dr. Phil method...HORRIBLE! We tried cloth training pants...bad. After making everything available to him, we let it go. We didn't even suggest it.

In the middle of all of this, my husband got transferred and we moved from UT to TX. We made sure his potty was in our temporary living stuff and one day, out of the blue, he went in and used it. It was one of the convertible ones and was being used as a step-stool, but he went in, set it up and used it all by himself. I was stunned! I told him how proud I was of him and within days he was in underwear full time. That was last summer, now when we are out, we still remind him to go or just take him to the potty, but at home, he's been consistent ever since he did it on his own.

I know that's not much help. My advice, make everything available to him and let it go. He'll do it all on his own when he's ready and it will be WAY less stressful on you than the other methods!

Good luck! I know it's stressful on you mom, but remember, he will get potty trained at some point!

J. :)

Hi A.,
I've heard of the book you talking about, but I don't have it. But I'm going thru the same thing with my almost 3 year old. (he'll be 3 at the end of June). But I have had some success with my treasure chest method. Now we have mastered pee'ing, but not quite the poohing. I basically bought a clear shoe box and put $1 toys in side. (you know cars, plastic animals, etc. anything that got his attention). Each time he went potty he got to go into the "treasure chest" and picked a prize. Now of course the few times he's gone pooh he got a nicer prize b/c that is the harder of the two. But we have seemed to have success with this method. I was concerned about spoiling him, so after a couple of weeks, I got some really cute potty charts online and we switched to stickers and charts. And honestly he loved that just as much as the toys. So I was glad I switched.
I'm not sure if I've helped...but I thought I would offer you a suggestion.
Have a great day!!!
S. :)

I went through that for about a year (age 2 to 3). By his 3rd birthday, I wasn't going to do this. Pull-ups didn't do a thing, so we decided to just start putting him in underwear. That worked like a charm!! After several accidents, he was ready to start doing it in the potty. He was tired of being wet & having to change clothes. Good luck!!