Passy and Potty

Sara - posted on 08/02/2009

I think only you can sense what works for you and your son. My youngest, who is almost 2, is working on ditching the binkie. Right now we only use it for naps and bedtime. My older daughter just threw it away when she was done. I have heard some great stories too. A binkie fairy comes to take it to a new baby.



As for potty training, don't push it!!! I learned the hard way with my oldest. Most kids are not ready physically or mentally at 2. We tried the potty train in a week deal with my oldest when she turned 2 and it was a nightmare! She eventually figured it out and by being around older kids who were already potty trained was a huge help. My youngest who is almost 2 is interested and I have a little potty out for her to use when she wants too. I am not pushing it with this one. It will make you nuts!



Also, I have heard from all of my friends with boys that they take longer. Don't worry about it. They won't be walking around at 12 still wearing a diaper. Good luck!

Valerie - posted on 07/31/2009

We ditched the pacifier well over a year ago. The twins were 5 week preemies so the hospital gave them pacifiers right away to help them develop their sucking. After about 4 months I started limiting them to bedtime, in the car or when we were out and about. I would suggest that at almost 2 years that you talk to him about how he is now a big boy and that you need to give the pacifiers to the babies (very handy if you know someone who is pregnant or has a baby to actually 'give' them to, KWIM). Pack them up (check everywhere he might have stashed them), give them away (throw them out when he isn't looking) AND (this is the most important part) DON'T BUY ANYMORE. If you don't have any in the house, you can't cave in and give it to him. You might have a few rough days but it will pass.

As for potty training, I am getting ready to start training Lily (almost 2) but her twin brother, Patrick is no where near ready. I have been reading the "Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day" by Teri Crane. It's the Dr Phil method. You need to plan ahead and work on some skills before the actually potty training. Being able to undress themselves, walk to the washroom on their own, wash their hands, follow simple commands, etc. Then the day of potty training, you have a potty party, just you and the potty trainee - fun, toys, games, books, videos (all potty training related), salty treats, lots to drink and, most importantly, a doll (in particular one that drinks & wets itself). Your little one spends a fun-filled morning with you reading books about potty training, watching videos, and helping to teach new dolly how to use the potty. Sometimes dolly has accidents and sometimes dolly makes it to the potty. It's all positive and everybody gets treats and lots to drink. Morning is all about the dolly, the afternoon is where you start focusing on your little one using the potty and recognizing the need to go.

The whole idea is that the definition of 'potty trained' is the ability to recognize the need to go, get to the potty, get on the potty, wipe, get redressed, & wash their hands with little or no help from Mom.

We picked up potties a while ago & Lily is starting show interest in it. I have started gathering children's books about using the potty (Elmo goes to the Potty etc) and am ordering some videos. I am talking more to the twins about the potty and what people do etc. I have picked up some party supplies at the dollar store and just need to order some dolls ( check out www.pottyscotty.com for boys and www.pottypatty.com for girls).

User - posted on 07/30/2009

I wish I could help but I'm wondering the same thing(only I have a girl). I'm focusing on the paci first though and I'm just hoping to have her potty trained by X-Mas vacation this year. I've heard the Dr. Phil potty training method works, has anybody had any luck with it?

Sharon - posted on 07/30/2009

I don't know about the pacifier part because my daughter wasn't into them but I know for potty training we started our simple. I let my daughter pick out her own potty when we went shopping at the store for one. Then we simple started a routine where we would take her to the potty, have her sit for as long as she wanted, and didn't not push it. I don't know if it would work the same for a boy, my brother is potty training my nephew but he was the one who suggested that we start simple like we did. We also made the jump from diapers to pull ups then to underwear in the house.