Need potty training advice

Julie - posted on 10/07/2009

Thanks! I have been praising her alot, especially the few times that she did actually go. She actually wants to sit on the potty everytime her diaper gets changed, plus anytime else that she feels like it! I've had her little potty chair out for a while, so she could get comfy with it. I put it next to her books (seems wierd I know) and she will just sit on it (with or without clothes) and read for a while. So she's used to it now and doesnt mind sitting on it. My son was a little older when I trained him, I did it on his 3rd birthday and he was more than ready. He only had maybe 2 accidents in the first week then he was done! But my daughter is a little more mischievious and I think sometimes she'll pee on the floor just to spite me! But thanks ladies, your words of encouragement really help me! I really need some support! Thanks again!

Clarissa - posted on 10/07/2009

I potty trained my son just after he turned two. Your daughter is showing all the signs that she is ready to try to be potty trained. But it takes a lot of effort on the parents end too. What I did is I went to my local Walmart and bought a little book about your kids "very first potty" and it comes with a little sticker chart and stickers. Then I also bought a little bag of skittles. One of the most important things I found was that he needed to feel comfortable on the potty, so i wouldn't even bother with the little plastic potty contraptions they make, just go ahead and buy a padded colorful potty seat that fits on top of your toilet seat so that she can get used to the big potty from the start. (you'll probably need a stool too). Then get some of her favorite books and put them in a basket next to your toilet along with the new potty book. Read the book to your daughter and explain to her that she is a big girl and needs to start using the big girl potty and that peeing and pooping in her pants is really gross and yucky! (exagerate how yucky it is). Then what I did was I would take my son potty every morning right after he'd wake up, then right before lunch, right after his nap, and right before bed...and he'd wear the pull ups only at night. And every time i took him and he went and sat on the potty i'd give him a sticker and only 1 skittle, and praise him a whole ton and do a little happy potty dance, and sing a song and tell him how great a job he did (even if he didn't go). You have to make it a big deal that they even tried and an even bigger deal when they do go. I'd also try to read at least one book because then it gives them time to actually go...they usually can't go right on the spot and are still learning how their bodies work. Also it distracts them from being scared. You also have to make it a big deal when they have an accident. and you have to stress to them that they need to tell you when you need to go and praise them for when they do tell you! Don't get mad but get really grossed out and remind her she is a big girl and needs to tell her mommy if she needs to go potty so that she can use the big girl toilet, and that its not good to pee in her pants! As time goes by and they get better and go every time you take them and stops having accidents then you begin to only praise them for actually going and they only get a sticker when they actually do something. Another thing is I also bought big boy underwear with his favorite characters on them like Wallie and lightning McQueen and told him not to pee on them because they don't like that. it was funny but worked. It only took me 1 1/2 months to fully potty train my boy. and he's not even three yet and he goes to the bathroom completely by himself now...no help at all! But remember every child is different and different things work with every child. You have to kind of play it by ear for what will work best for her. I've been told girls are easier to potty train than boys so good luck. This is just my experience with the whole thing! Hope it helps!

Crystal - posted on 10/07/2009

I'm a daycare provider and I have potty trained enough to know that diffrent things work for diffirent children but with mine I would buy some treats like stickers, necklaces, candy, just little treats and I would put them in a bowl and every time they went potty they got to pick a treat and make a chart were she can put a sticker on every time she goes. praise her even when she tries and just sing and dance when she goes and make it very fun for her!! she will get it. Good luck!