why is potty training so hard?

Juanita - posted on 04/13/2009

Monica, I think for most people, the ability to be consistent, firm, and to constantly clean up the messes IS the hard part. :o)
A lot of people find it hard to persist with something where they don't see "results" within a few weeks. A lot of the posts around here ask "Am I doing something wrong??" Then a lot of mommies write back saying, "NO! Just stick with it. Keep going!!" I did the same thing with my friends. I also think that people start envisioning a life without the messes and want to get there so badly, that the clean up gets very frustrating over time.

I think the difficulty is more in the misalignment of reasonable expectations of the process. If people expect the messes and necessity of a really firm will and persistent routine, it will not seem as difficult or "extraordinary." If people have a hard time with those things, then it will be very very hard.

Monica - posted on 04/10/2009

Its really not that hard you just have to be consistant. There are lots of messes, but then my son makes a mess of everything so thats nothing new all I do is clean up messes.

Jenny - posted on 04/09/2009

I have recently potty trained my 2 and 1/2 yr old by buying potty training stickers that have helped so much. Prior to that there was no incentive to go to the big girl toilet and thus wouldn't leave her nappy. She didn't want to wear nappies but when she needed to do a wee she would ask for a nappy as this was her comfort. It definitely took me awhile to train her as i also have a 9 month old that made it more tricky.... i think its all about time and patience, im sure they will get there eventually, good luck!

Juanita - posted on 04/09/2009

think of it this way: how hard would it be for you to break a habit of 2 years that you do 6-8 times a day? let's say you smoke half a pack a day...that would be a hard habit to break. granted, there are addictive chemicals in cigarettes and nothing like that in diapers, BUT...you are asking a young child to COMPLETELY change everything they know about eliminating. since the day they were born, they eliminated into a diaper whenever and wherever they wanted. suddenly, you turn their world upside-down. not only do you want them to go "only here", but you only want them to go "after so long" and "tell me first please." they've never had to pay attention to such a thing, and now they need to coordinate where, when, how, and whom. no wonder they ask WHY! :o)

i think it makes perfect sense that potty training is so hard. that's why i have great respect for the poor kiddos who have a hard time with it. that's also why i plan on trying ec-ing with my next one, because it only makes sense to me that the earlier you try, the less attached they will be to the diapers.

Desiree - posted on 04/09/2009

Yeah I had my first born trained by 3 ..my youngest will be 3 in november. she understands well...she just tells me she has to use the potty after she has already gone in her diaper. She even likes to wear her underwear during the day but sometimes with her diaper on underneath. One morning i sat in the bathroom with her for about 30 minutes..we watched dora and read a book and nothing...lol

so at least she understnads the whole concept anyway..i mean she is only 2 ..i cant expect her to just do it ..although wouldnt it be nice

Lynne - posted on 04/09/2009

it is hard but i started mine early (9 months) and they sat on potty with a nappy on, by 2 and a half years old they were potty trained , which included day and nite. but recently i have had another baby and my toddler has gone back to doing things in his pants. i am at my wits end, i have tryed understandment, chastismant (telling him it is dirty e.c.t.) and buying him a speacial seat to put on the toilet and it has not done the trick either so i am back to round one again.

Jamie Lynn - posted on 04/08/2009

I hear ya! Im in the same boat.