She's 2 1/2 and Still Not Potty Trained, What Can I Do

TWO AMAZING POTTY TRAINING STORIES

#1 The Medical Experts'Advice: My son was 4 and still not pt'ed! A friend in a similar predicament went to UCSF experts. They recommended this, and I presented it to my son as follows: "Would you like to see how you can't go down the toilet?" he looked curious and said yes. I took him to the (clean) toilet and asked him to put his foot in it, as far as he could put it. He did. Then I asked him to flush the toilet. He did. He looked up at me with a SMILING FACE OF TOTAL REVELATION. He was out of diapers, day and night, within a week.

#2 The Waldorf Educator's Advice: This worked on my daughter, who was 3 and not yet pt'ed. The Waldorf Preschool would only take potty trained kids in September, and it was July, so I was concerned. She gave me a "Curative Story" for her: to tell a maturational tale, of a little kitten who first slept next to its mama, and wet anywhere, but then learned to go over to the kitty litter box and pee there, and have a nice dry bed... and eventually goes outside and learns to climb a tree... you get the idea. Each episode could progress a little further. I was to tell it every night at bedtime for 2 weeks, and to keep it "sleepy" (don't draw parallels between her and the kitty, that happens unconsciously.) I barely needed to tell it.... I told it twice and my daughter was out of diapers...magic!

The teacher (Shana Rader) also gave me an idea for a story to get her to give up the pacifier, and that worked like a charm also! That's part of what got us into Waldorf education, an amazing and wonderful path with a lot of wisdom in it.

I'd try the story option first, and then the other. PS my son did not know (consciously) that he was afraid of the toilet, but indeed he was.

Hi D.,

Have you been consistent in the training process? That's really important. I have used this children's video I found online and was able to borrow it from the local library. It's called, "Potty Power" and my son loved it. They go over how it's neat to be 'big kid' and not wear diapers. Also, they go over how to 'wipe' themselves on a teddy bear and they also show the importance of washing hands. Hope this helps you! Happy potty training!

Mine isn't either. she refuses. I wouldn't worry too much she will get it. I heard their is a great potty book by Dr. Sears, and there are great songs and other books out there to read to her.
Good luck and I completely understand.
C.

Why are you stressing about this? Is your daughter in school and she needs to be trained? If yes, then I have no advice. On the other hand, if you are thinking that by 2 1/2 she should be potty trained, then I would advise that you let your daughter determine the timing. By pushing her now, you may inadvertantly dimish her self-esteem. My daughter was still wearing diapers at 3, and then one day she announced that she was old enough for panties. I didn't believe her and put diapers on her that night. Well, she really was ready (and screamed it loud and clear) and has not one single time had an accident since she decided she was a "big girl".

Shoot, my daughter is 3 years 4 months and has NEVER had any interest in going on the potty. She will sit on it, but has only gone potty like 3 times in it. And she will SCREAM if she is on the potty and actually has to go poop. I just keep figuring when she is ready she will be ready. Although we joke all the time about her going to the prom in her diapers. :-) Good luck!

I ditto what Sarah said. There is no time-line by which a child has to be potty trained, unless they are in daycare or school. I know as the parent, you want the process to happen. But...children are fickle. And their progress goes up and down. Main thing, don't pressure the situation, or they become stressed or embarrassed, which is not good. Also, don't "compare" the child to others. Each child will suddenly announce when they are ready and be a "big girl." At 2 and a half, they will still not be perfect about it. They are still learning, and they have their own mind. Bribing didn't help my daughter either. But when she was ready, she announced it and it was a happy day, and we celebrated! Just keep encouraging her. It will happen. But just not yet apparently. If she is fine all around, and nothing else is bothering her and she is healthy, I wouldn't worry about it. When she's ready again, then it will be great for her. Good luck!
~Susan
www.cafepress.com/littlegoogoo

My daughter will be 3 next month, and I have tried to get her to use the potty, but she would only sit for a few seconds and then get up and walk away. I've tried to just let her use underwear during the day, but I ended up cleaning like 5 times within the space of twenty minutes, and it was making her upset how she was getting all wet and icky, I thought we'd try some other time. Have a break and then try again in about a week or so? Good luck!