Any tips on potty training! its soo hard

Ellen - posted on 07/03/2009

I was given all kinds of advice when I tried to get my now 4 yr. old daughter to potty train. I heard everything from give them a sticker and let them put it on the back of the bathroom door to give her fav. candy. I bought the pull ups and real panties. We called them her big girl panties. There came a time she wanted to wear panties like mommy. When she wet the pull ups I showed her how they changed colors. We read books. When I went to the bathroom I'd ask her if she needed to go. She liked that idea. Now I never get to go unless she is right there beside me. I use to ask her about every 30 mins-hour if she needed to go. It got on her nerves. The fact of the matter is kids will do it when they are ready. There is research that says if you try to train them too soon they'll have certain hang ups when they become adults. I have no clue what the answer is for you because all kids are different. You can try all different kinds of things. You know your daughter best. I also promised my child a toy she really wanted if she went to the bathroom for a week. There will of course be accidents and the nights were the hardest. Good Luck!

TOMASINE - posted on 07/03/2009

My son will be 3 in September and he is stubborn. When I do put him on the toilet, it seems like he holds it on purpose. When he gets off and gets the pull-up back on, he lets loose. And when he wants to go, he don't wanna sit down, he wants to stand up. LOL! Don't know what to do, but will try the candy reward and with cars cause he loves anything that sounds like it has an engine.

Carolyn - posted on 07/03/2009

i was given a paper about this when my son had trouble. spend 3 whole days w/ ur child. let everything go...that way u can be w/ ur child when they give those signs of going (and get rid of pull ups...u have to use undies/panties) but spend 3 days w/ her and do everything w/ her and u'll see her signs and can make a big deal about "being a big girl"

Jennifer - posted on 07/02/2009

I agree with Linda, I found with my son that the more I wanted him trained, the less he wanted to do it. He absolutely insisted that he would do it when he was 4, and sure enough, 2 days before his 4th birthday, he just did it! He is now 5 and has had maybe 2 or 3 accidents, including during the night!
My daughter is older than him, and she was in underwear 1 month after she turned 2, but she had a lot of accidents.
When your daughter is ready, she will do it. Getting her new underwear, and books and videos I'm sure won't hurt, as long as they are not pushed on her, just let her discover them on her own.

Jenny - posted on 06/29/2009

How to potty train garunteed in 30 days (for parents who DON'T want to push it too far too fast.)

Instructions Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Things You’ll Need:

1.Time and Patience

2.A potty chair

3.Step stool

4.Pull ups

5.Praise and rewards

1.First thing in the morning when your child wakes up put him or her on the potty chair. Let them sit on the chair for about 2 minutes. Keep a few of their books in the close by, let him or her skim the pages, this will make it less scary.



*** You should place the child on the potty chair every 30 minutes until bed time. I know that sounds like a lot of trips to the restroom but it will pay off in the long run. No more diapers... YAY!***

2.Make sure you have a step stool high enough to reach the sink, teaching them to wash their hands every time after using the potty is a good habbit and for some kids they will really look forward to it. It will also teach them to be clean.



3.Every time the child is finished with the potty you should reward him or her with something small. With a simple praise such as "great job" while clapping your hands in applause. You can also use special snacks for the reward, something you would not normally give your child... of course this would be more around snack time. This could encourage your child to want to sit on the potty.

4.At night (at least for the first month) you should put a diaper or pull-up on the child before going to bed. Less mess for you and no discomfort for the child.

5.Within 2 weeks you will notice your child wanting to sit on the potty by him or her self.

Get through one month of this repetition and you will have a potty trained child!



How to Potty train a 1 1/2 year old boy

InstructionsDifficulty: Moderate

1.First you must determine if they are ready. One and a half years old is about the age when boys start to notice and react to things such as them urinating in their diaper. If you see your son holding him self or squatting right before he dirties his diaper, he may be ready. In fact he does not even have to be able to say potty. However, it does work best if by the end of training he can have some ability to verbalize what he needs to do, because at this age he will still need help in the bathroom for some time. Also, it works best if he likes to do what every one else is doing.

2. Let him emulate others. We have all heard of monkey see monkey do. This applies dramatically to a one and a half year old boy. Think about it how many times does he see someone pay with a toy, then just have to have. Even if he has never shown interest before. Put a potty chair next to the toilet and let him sit down on it while a parent or sometimes even. At first it is okay to let him sit with his clothes on. Just let him get to understand that is his chair. If he tries to get on the big stool, sit him on his and say yours.

3.Let him go around the house without a diaper on. Let him have a few mistakes. If you see him about ready to go, take him to his chair. It make take him a few times to actually set on his chair, but just be persistent. If he attends a daycare where this is not possible, it is best to do this stage over a long weekend. When he goes back to daycare keep up the routine when he gets home. After, his first diaper change don't put one back on him until bedtime. He will eventually get the idea he will need to go to the bathroom when he get the urge.

4. Be positive, remember your son is steel very young. Never discipline a one year old for having a accident. Encourage him and give him a small reward when he is successful. It does not have to be anything of monetary value. It could be a high five, a kiss, a hug, one chocolate chip, or a word of praise. Look for what your son responds to best and use it. My son just adores being called a big boy, clapping and saying yeah, and he loves chocolate chips. We choose a the award that fits. We only give candy once a day if at all. Some parents find giving the same reward every time is best. I think what ever works, works. Just be aware that if you give him a piece of candy every time he goes to the bathroom he probably will be doing this until he is three. So you may have to carry it with you as needed.

5.Do not get discouraged when he takes a few steps back when potty training. Even if a toddler is potty trained during the day they may have problems during the night. You may want to put a diaper on your son till he has had dry diapers for weeks during the night.

6. When you use the restroom ask him if he needs to go to. Also ask thirty minutes after he eats. Get him in a routine of self care now before it is a struggle later on. Always have him wipe and wash his hands himself, even if you need to finish for him after he is done.



How to Potty train young boys (and help their aim)

InstructionsDifficulty: Moderate

Things You’ll Need:

~A boy who needs potty-training

~A urinal such as WeeMan, Peter Potty, or Flippee ~the Toilet Shield

~Patience

~Enthusiasm

~An older potty-trained male, if possible

~Fruit Loops and/or Cheerios

1.Start your boys very early going to the bathroom with their fathers or older male siblings so that they know that it is natural for boys to stand up and urinate in the toilet. (If the older male is shy, then skip this step).

2.If you have an older male who will participate, have him show the male child how to dunk the Fruit Loops as described in steps 6-12. If you do not have a male to assist you, continue on with step 3.

3.Place the new urinal in the bathroom or desired location one to two weeks before you want your male child to start using it (to ensure it is not intimidating to the child).

4.Chart the approximate times your male child wets his diaper so you can schedule potty sessions at those times.

5.When you are ready to begin using the urinal, give your child lots of water or special drink about 30 minutes before introducing the urinal for the upcoming anticipated time he will go potty (that you have already documented).

6.Next, tell your male child you have a new game to play. Take your child to the urinal.

7.Take a handful of Fruit Loops (about four or five to get different colors) and give them to your male child. Have the child toss the Fruit Loops in the urinal.

8.Explain to your child it's about time for him to go potty.

9.Next, tell your child that you want him to aim his pee pee that comes out into the Fruit Loop holes to try and sink the Fruit Loops. This is especially fun if you are using a Flippee urinal so that the cereal will bob farther down when the child pees on it. (However, you can add more water to the Peter Potty or other device for a similar effect.)

10.Praise your male child for each Fruit Loop he dunks with his pee pee.

11.When your male child has finished going to the potty, allow him to push the handle down on the toilet (or empty his urinal into the toilet and then push the handle down).

12.Show great enthusiasm as you wave good-bye to the pee pee and encourage your child to wave good-bye as well.

13.If you feel silly waving good-bye to pee pee, then don't do it. Both parent and child must be comfortable during the potty-training experience.

14.Wash hands immediately (while saying your ABC's) with your male child to ensure he develops good hygiene.



How to Potty Train in one week!

InstructionsDifficulty: Moderately Easy

1.Wait until you see the signs that your child is ready to potty train. I knew the boys were ready when they began telling me they had to go potty even though they had a diaper on. The child might also mention when he is actually going potty.

2.Buy a few different portable potties. You might want to put one in the kitchen and one in the bathroom next to the toilet. This way the child does not have to "run" to the bathroom every time he has to go potty. Also get a small step stool and a cushiony training seat for the toilet.

3.Have child just sit on the potty to get used to it. Even if he is fully dressed. He may feel more comfortable sitting on the little potty or the toilet.

4.Have a few books in the bathroom to read with your child while he is sitting there. You could also sing songs or go over the ABC's. Give your child plenty of praise, even just for sitting there and not going yet.

5.Most importantly, please have patience and don't rush your child. Eventually he will go potty! There is no need for bribing with candy or cookies or even sticker or toys. All your child needs is plenty of huge praise and patience from you. Good Luck!

How to Potty Train a Stubborn Boy

InstructionsDifficulty: Moderately Challenging

Things You’ll Need:

~A potty seat

~Rewards

~Reward Chart

~Books

~Videos

~Big Boy Underwear

Potty Training a Stubborn Boy

1.First, make sure that your son is interested. If he is showing signs that he wants to go on the potty or is following you to watch you in the bathroom, he is most likely interested. If he wants big boy underwear or let's you know when he has pooped, then he is ready to potty train.

2.Next, take him shopping. Let your son pick out his big boy underwear with his favorite characters. Show him the potty seats to see which one he is interested in. Browse through the books and videos to see if he shows any interest. Set up a rewards system and let him choose the prizes. You can use stickers or stars or M & M's to praise a job well done. See what gets him most excited and then use it to motivate him.

3.Next, give him some naked time without the diapers. Spend a few days letting him run around naked and putting him on the potty every hour or so. This gives him an opportunity to really feel when he has to go. Remind him frequently of the rewards to combat any resistance and really praise any efforts he makes.

4.Once he is interested, there are some very easy and fun things that you can do to train him. Aim is the key for little boys. You want them to pee in the toilet so giving them targets is one of the first steps. Giving them something to aim for makes it fun and engaging. Try Cheerios or Fruit Loops. You can even find target stickers to put in the bottom of the toilet.

5.Next, if you still feel any resistance from your son, sit down and have a talk with him. Ask him why he thinks he is having trouble and what he can do about it. Let him set up his own schedule and then work with him. This is especially effective if he is having control issues. Give him back the control.

6.Finally, praise and reward your son. The key to successful potty training is to make sure that your son has shown signs of readiness (interested in the potty and wanting big kid underwear). Once he is interested you must find out the cause of resistance and then work around it. In some cases, he may just not be ready. Wait a month or two and then try again. It will happen but it almost always needs to happen on his schedule and when he is ready.

Gina - posted on 06/27/2009

My son has started hi potty training. He is currently 20 mths, but is loving it. I leave his potty in the living room with us so he sees it, and let him run around in his shirt and pull up. I have found he will look at me and try to take off his pull up and tell me he has to go pee pee. Almost every time he has done this he has actually used teh potty. we also used the naked approach with another one of our children. For about a week we let them run around without their diaper, just in underwear, and they realized that they needed to use the potty since they did not like having dirty underware. Hope this helps you some.

Kimberly - posted on 06/27/2009

My son was 3 1/2 when he finally got the potty training down. We worked with our Ped. on this topic. Lots of patience. We too let him run around the house naked and we also watched him like a hawk. If he acted like he was about to pee, or even in mid stream, we still picked him up and put him on the potty. It was very frustrating and we wanted to pull our hair out, but yelling or punishing him was not the answer. Lots of positive praise, rewards/treats, and as he neared the 3 1/2 mark he regressed. So we talked to our doctor and he agreed that it was fine that we did this. We kept a bucket in the bathroom and if he peed in his underwear then he had to wash them, b/c mommy was tired of washing underwear. That did the trick. It is not for everyone to do this, but as a parent you know your child best. Plastic cover on the bed is good, Night pull-ups are a good idea, and we always make him go potty at bedtime. Good Luck!

Sarah - posted on 06/26/2009

my 2 1/2yr old is in the process of being trained and he is doing great. I think because he is ready, he understood when he did poo's in his nappy etc so thats when i decided to put him on the toilet and away he went. I think the key is that the need to be ready, once they are its a breeze and you have less accidents and it doesnt take long for them to know when they need to go.

Merrill - posted on 06/26/2009

My Son's are 31 & 27 and I can say they are both potty trained!!!You can't be stressed about this.I have heard that girls learn faster,because they sit for both.My Hubby brought the first son in the bathroom with him everytime he went ,I did the same ,except he sat on the potty chair while I went.Modesty is not important at this age.One day he was going regularly with each of us and I just asked him if he wanted big boy underwear and that was around 3 yrs. of age.The younger son just wanted to be like his older brother.I never did underwear during the day and diapers at night.And we did not have these stupid pullups!!!!!If they can use pullups they can use underpants.Don't stress,take your time and good luck!

Becky - posted on 06/26/2009

Oh, I also use a sticker chart that I put on the bathroom wall. All 3 got very excited about putting stickers on it. We also got a book about going on the potty that we would read when they sat on the potty. Or we would sing songs while they sat.

Becky - posted on 06/26/2009

Now that its warm, have her pick out undies, get her very excited about it. Keep telling her what a big girl she is and just take away the diapers durring the day. Don't make a big deal if she has an accident, just tell her it's ok next time in the potty. Make up a song and dance and make a BIG deal when she goes on the potty. Try to get her to sit on the potty ever couple of hours and we would sing " It's potty time, it's potty time, it's time to sit on the potty!" make it exciting. Sometimes she will sit, some times she won't don't make a big deal if she doesn't,don't force. Just try again in ahalf hour or hour. I work part time so I would take 2 weeks off of work, my 2 girls thats all I needed, my son I had to do it twice. But if she doesn't totally know when she has to go, then she isn't ready yet. And remember stay close to a bathroom because at that age when they have to go they have to go then and they can't hold it. I used to bring a little potty outside with us when we went outside to play. Make sure if you put her in undies keep her in undies, don't put diapers on her durring the day sometimes ,you will just confuse her and it won't work. Night time tends to take longer, so don't worry about that till she is ALWAYS dry at night and she's trained durring the day. I hope this helps!

Jennifer - posted on 06/26/2009

For my son,I purchased a metal bucket from the Dollar store and placed stickers on the bottom. My sound gross, but he loved the sound his urine hitting the pail. Plus it taught him how to aim. Took less than a week.

Kim - posted on 06/25/2009

I had to "force" train my youngest. My older two were a breeze but my little one wanted absolutely nothing to do with the potty. Finally one weekend I put her in panties and told he we were done with pullups. She wasn't very happy and wet herself 3 times in the first hour. Persistance paid off. We made her sit on a large trash bag with a beach towel over it when she was watching TV. Took about a week and she had it down pat. THe BM's took a bit longer but within a month she was fully potty trained. She had an occasional accident but not bad. We gave her small rewards for making it through the day etc. And she got a toy she had been wanting after the month.

Misty - posted on 06/25/2009

I would say let her sit on the potty distracted for awhile, perhaps with tv, or a book or something like that, and then celebrate like crazy when she "accidentally" goes. I also got a free DVD from the Pull Ups website and that seemed to plant the seed for him too. He just turned 4 last month and is finally using the potty full time. Nothing worked for him, I tried candy, stickers, I even made a potty prize box and he couldn't have cared less. He wouldn't do it till he was ready. He is very stubborn; however, my oldest son was potty trained by the time he was 2! Every kid is different. Good luck!! :)

Rita - posted on 06/25/2009

Hi Alena, not a nice one, but guess that's life. I've read in a magazine that a lady actully did a kind of tooth fairy thing...she put a shoe next to the loo and told her little one that a little man will put some money in the shoe every time she goes to do her thingie in the toilet. It worked for her.
Good luck

Javine - posted on 06/25/2009

My daughter is now 7, but I could never get her to use a potty, but she was always fascinated with people using the toilet. After a while of no luck with the potty I decided it was worth getting a trainer seat for the toilet and see how she went, after all if that didn't work it wouldn't go to waste when she did eventually start using the toilet. As soon as I sat her on the toilet she knew exactly what was needed and she did a lovely big wee for me and I barely had any accidents with her after that!

It's worth a try, I'm glad I tried it or I could have got very frustrated with her not using the potty for anything other than a hat!!! lol

Good Luck, you'll both get there in the end!

Claire - posted on 06/25/2009

I only have boys, so this may not work, but what did work for us was:

1. the dvd Pottypower (available on Amazon or the library even)- brilliant!

2. success chart with a small treat after a successful day (some activity they like eg park outing or watching a movie or going swimming etc)

It's not easy, but eventually they all get there. Good luck!

Jolene - posted on 06/25/2009

The way i did it with my son is I bought the potty chair and let him sit on it any were in the house he wanted it made him comfortable with it then I would bring it in to the bath room with me when I went and set him on it while I was using the restroom. When he showed interest in using it I would reword him with stickers or a popcicle or any thing he didn't get on a regular baces. He was potty trained by 3 Now we still had our acedents at night tell he was 31/2. They say that it is good to start intrudusing them to the potty at about 2 but some kids aren't ready intell they are 3 or some times even 4. Don't pressure her if you do that then it could set you back. When she has an accident don't get mad it could set you back as well. Just pack extra clothes when you go out and she wears big girl panties . I all so found that pull ups don't work they are to absorbent and they don;t let them fell the wetness like underwear does. I'm not saying they don't have a time and a place I'm just saying that is what me and my sister has figured out. My sister has been in child care for 9 years now and she agrees with me.

Joyce - posted on 06/25/2009

My son was potty trained from the age of 2. This is how we did it. About 15-20 minutes after the eat or drink we begin the questions, do you have to go potty? If they say no, then we say, well let's try. Put them on the potty and wait. After a while, they start to ask. Not sure if this works for everyone, but it did for us

Darla - posted on 06/25/2009

Alena, I learned a couple of tricks while potty training my 4 children. The biggest lesson I learned was NOT to use pull ups. The children learn very quickly that the pull ups are the same as a diaper you just put them on differently. I went and bought the training panties that are double layered and the plastic coverup to go over the panties. I know that sounds old fashioned but it worked better for me because it didn't keep the wetness away from their bottom. None of my kids liked to feel wet so they learned to start peeing in the potty and not their panties.



To get them to pee in the potty I put them on the seat and talked to them until they went. I encouraged them to relax and let it come out. When they did I made a HUGE deal about it. We did the potty dance and they got a treat. Try taking her every 20- 30 minutes to start her in a routine. For nighttime they make an absorbant pad that goes over the sheets in case of accidents.



I hope this helps a little. Good luck.

Debbie Thompson- - posted on 06/25/2009

I made this big chart/graph and put it next to the toilet. Every time she tried (she only had to sit and try) I would give her a sticker to put on the chart. When she had a total of 5 stickers she would get a candy (maybe just a few M & M’s). I also set the timer for 15 minuets and made her go every time the timer went off. It was tedious, but it worked! I also made her wear real panties, not those Pull Ups. I thought those would feel to much like diapers. Good luck!

Erika - posted on 06/25/2009

Consistancey and a routine worked for my son. I started out by making him sit on the potty before his bath every night. Then I added having him go in the morning when he woke up...whether he went or not wasn't the issue...I just made sure I did the same thing every day. I never asked him if he had to go, but told him to give it a try. I also made a sticker chart and he got rewards along the way...so that worked for me, but every kid is different...good luck.

Marcie - posted on 06/25/2009

Hey there! I tried everything with my daughter, too, and nothing seemed to work. What finally got her going was I let her pick out some 'big girl' panties at the store with princesses on them, and told her she can't go pee pee or poo poo in them, they have to stay dry, so we need to put our pee and poo in the potty. And, every time she went pee on the potty, she got one orange tic tac, and every time she went poo she got two orange tic tacs. I know generally they say not to use food as a reward, but I figure, one tic tac doesn't really qualify as food, lol. And, it worked wonders! She was trained in about three days. And, after a couple weeks, I switched from tic tacs to stickers, so that way she was still being rewarded for going on the potty, but she didnt' expect a tic tac every time. I hope this helps, and good luck!

Sandra - posted on 06/25/2009

It shouldn't be hard if babe is 100% ready. A babe that's ready, physically and biologically, and mentally, can learn the potty in a weekend. I waited until my boys were 100% ready, and on Friday they were in diapers, by Sunday they were done.



I read once, "You can start teaching the potty in June and have them done by December, or start teaching in December and have them done by December". Truer words were never spoken.



Good luck!

Kathy - posted on 06/25/2009

Although I didn't do this with my kids as son learnt so quickly, have heard of success if marble put in potty or loo, gives boys something to aim at. Irrisistable. Rinses clean. I have twins. Usually girls train faster, but my son took a couple of days. My daughter decided not to have accidents much more slowly. Made her (in happy manner) clean up, put clothes in washing machine, find new ones, she decided it wasn't worth the trouble. Does still have occasional accident (2 this year) Night time very different. Kids are now 5 1/2. Son out of night nappies before 3 (would have been 2 but sister not ready so didn't push), few accidents. Daughter still in night nappies, has no idea. Wants to stop but when asleep still wees. If I hear her stir, we get her up, but no matter what wet in morning. Going for alarm, and professional advice. She is a dreamer type of girl so I think distracted at beginning during day, but did get day training pretty quickly. Night time can't explain, except that hormone levels may be out so brain not registering urge. She is very bright etc and normal development except for this. At this point would welcome suggestions. She is never punished, she is as frustrated as us. She gets up in morning puts nappy in bin and undies on before she comes out of room. So great kid. Any ideas.

Lisa - posted on 06/25/2009

When we began I took a three day time frame that i knew I would be home and started off expalining what was going to happen. I set the timer for every 20 minutes the first day - each time we went and sat on the potty. Even if nothing happened she was rewarded with an M&M for trying. By the following day I would keep asking and when she felt the urge we would go and again be rewarded with an M&M. By the third day she was telling me and going on her own. This happened for both my girls and plan to do the same with my third. They do get tricky on you so beware. My oldest started asking for Hersey Kisses instead of one little M&M - LOL.

Sandra - posted on 06/25/2009

I need to know first what's the right age to start the potty training a child so that we don't abuse it.

Loline - posted on 06/25/2009

Hi, I have three kids my second one was almost 3½ before he was ready. I went to Toys R us and bought a step with a seat that fits neatly over the toilet it has two handles and an adjustable step making the loo more accessible. The potty never really played a part. The kids feel very secure because they can hold on and they sit properly. I found as long as my boy had a nappy or pull up he just wasn't interested in the toilet. I then found an old terry cloth/towelling nappy got my mom to show me how to fold it, he was very angry when I said he would have to wear this baby nappy, it certainly helped significantly with motivating him to use the toilet. Finally the reward system can become a manipulate from the kids that doesn't really do anything in getting them on to the toilet. Finally, don't pressure yourself or your child it happens naturally when they are ready, there is no fixed rule.

Laura - posted on 06/24/2009

Ditto to the post from Linda Clement. I have a girl and a boy and potty training was totally different in both cases. The girl was ready and the boy wasn't. The key is "when she is ready". You are but, she's not. Word of advice, "being ready" is a basic rule of life. Even adults have to be "ready" in their own terms to make decisions in life. She will be ready before you know it.

Naomi - posted on 06/24/2009

This website has loads of great tips --- http://www.pottytraining.com.au/

Toni - posted on 06/24/2009

My name is Toni and I have a 3yr old daughter. I went to the grocery store and let her pick out a poster board and some stickers. Then, I took a pic of her sitting on the potty and blew it up and taped it to the poster. I then, drew lines for each day of the week. As, she began to have fun actually sitting on the potty I would put small stickers ( of her choice) where she went numbe one, and a little larger one for number 2 (also of her choice), then if she did both she got to have a big sticker with 2 small ones. She got really excited about getting to see her face on the poster in the bathroom with all of her stickers.

Brenda - posted on 06/24/2009

It may not be the "by the book" way, but I was feeling desperate. We bought small container and put just a few candies (not big in our house) and once he started showing interest, he ended up with the prize. We were potty trained in a week. I did get criticism from some, but waiting until he was ready (almost 3.5) proved to be less stressful for both of us. I don't know if I would have been so lax on this but my 16 month old required attention too ;) I don't think there is a magic number for potty training.

Nora - posted on 06/24/2009

I used the padded underwear with a plastic cover when I tried potty training. Then they could feel the wetness when they went potty because they could not feel wet with the pullups. I had to wash a lot of clothes, but it worked. I also had a sticker chart on the back of the bathroom door. Every time they went potty they got to pick a sticker and if they went both they picked out two stickers.

Kathryn - posted on 06/23/2009

And there was also a potty "throne" that made music or some reinforcing noise when it sensed he actually went. (It had a senser in it.) That was also quite empowering for him. He was really excited about this "potty throne".

Kathryn - posted on 06/23/2009

Oh yes....we also did a sticker reward chart. He put the sticker on and could get rewards. That does amazing for little children! Very empowering for them.

Kathryn - posted on 06/23/2009

Wait. You can try, but if it really doesn't work, you can't make it work. Each child's bladder system develops/strengthens at a little different times. There is a general acceptable time, but if you are pushing it before three years old, the child's ability to control may not be at the point it needs to be for success. (Don't get me wrong...some children can definitely be ready and able prior. But three is the marker that most children are definitely emotionally and physically ready and capable.)



Read "potty" books to make it exciting. Some of them are even humorous and fun. Some are more educational/big girl. Talk about her being a big girl. If she goes, praise her, but if she doesn't, don't say anything. She will one day just start doing it and do great...because she is ready. Once she is going and really seems ready, if she is doing obvious naughty things to act out, make her clean it up. My son went really consistently unless he was angry and then would pee whereever he was. So I talked to a counselor about it and she said, "make him clean it up". I was shocked. He was three years old. But I did as she said and, amazingly, he stopped very quickly. However, if you do this BEFORE the child is truly ready developmentally, that is not fair to the child and can be traumatizing.

Valerie - posted on 06/23/2009

Well what worked for me was letting my son run naked. Nothing else worked. This works if your child is recognizing he/she is peeing when it's happening or even right after, and has an interest in the potty at least somewhat. So my son never had an accident unless he was wearing something. Having a diaper to pee in creates security and once you take that away they feel it and don't want to pee in nothing. So when my son was naked the first time, he suddenly stopped his play and I took notice and ushered him to the potty and he peed. After a couple days I would let him wear underwear and he had a couple accidents and then after a couple more days that was it. He was potty trained. So it took maybe a full five days. Good luck!!!

Laury - posted on 06/23/2009

My son is 3 and a half and has finally "agreed" to go on the potty. It's been a long time coming. I'm not sure if there was any one thing that worked. Honestly I just think he was ready because it's been a hit and miss game with rewards. A little peer pressure too has worked since he'll start school in the fall with our neighbor's son who is already trained. He no longer uses the little seat that fits over the regular one (this eased his early fear of falling in). He likes his super hero big boy underwear. He also puts stickers on his potty charts (print them from websites for free). Just stay positive and reassure her every time she tries. She'll be all grown-up before you know it :)

Lori - posted on 06/23/2009

Put a prize chart up across from her potty. Let her go through a Toys R Us catalog or magazine to pick out a "prize" she can win by going in the potty, ie 10x's in a row or whatever you choose, place stickers on her chart. She won't be a high schooler wearing diapers that is for sure...when she starts going, there won't be a bathroom you will be able to pass up...she will need to visit every single one!

Tajalli - posted on 06/23/2009

Quoting Christina:

I potty trained my son when he had just turned 2 using the same method my Mom used with me. It sounds crazy and takes quite a bit of preparation but is WELL worth it. Go to your local bookstore and find the tiny little paperback book called "Potty training in 24 hrs or less" There is a TON of criticism out there about this, but I'll tell you from experience with a VERY stubborn little one that it was a very positive experience for us and actually brought my son and I closer. It's SO cool cuz you get to spend the whole day playing and talking to your little one and praising them for doing what you're asking. My son was CLEARLY impowered after the experience. It did take him an extra couple months to go through the night without pull-ups but even at that, I plan to do the same thing with my other kids when the time comes. It's WELL worth the ~$3 and the prep time. Give it a good try before you criticize. I was sceptical, but 24hrs made me a believer! :)

Can you tell us a little bit about how this method works?

Christina - posted on 06/23/2009

I potty trained my son when he had just turned 2 using the same method my Mom used with me. It sounds crazy and takes quite a bit of preparation but is WELL worth it. Go to your local bookstore and find the tiny little paperback book called "Potty training in 24 hrs or less" There is a TON of criticism out there about this, but I'll tell you from experience with a VERY stubborn little one that it was a very positive experience for us and actually brought my son and I closer. It's SO cool cuz you get to spend the whole day playing and talking to your little one and praising them for doing what you're asking. My son was CLEARLY impowered after the experience. It did take him an extra couple months to go through the night without pull-ups but even at that, I plan to do the same thing with my other kids when the time comes. It's WELL worth the ~$3 and the prep time. Give it a good try before you criticize. I was sceptical, but 24hrs made me a believer! :)

Shawna - posted on 06/23/2009

I am potty training now..I let her pick out her own panties that she wanted and she goes to the potty my problem is overnight she doesn't get up so i have to stick her in a pull up.. I also tell her if she doesn't go to the potty she won't go to big girl school and she has been going ever since except at night any one wanna help me on that one?

Monique - posted on 06/23/2009

Is your daughter in daycare? I found that with my son being surrounded by other kids going to the bathroom had him potty trained overnight. He did not want to feel like the baby by kids his safe age. Also, you could try putting her on the potty after each meal for her to get used to using the potty and knowing what it feels like when she is about to relieve herself! Remember, you don't stress it will cause anxiety for you both. She has time to learn this technique

Sara - posted on 06/23/2009

hi, i have 4 kids and all were out of nappies by 1 1/2 years,

all i did was i let them play with it, i put it on my head and pretended it was a hat,

so they use to do the same and just let them have fun with it, i use to keep it in the living room so they would always see it and could play with it when ever they wanted to, i also use to take it every where i went in the car on the buggy every where so if they wanted it it was there, they loved it. then all of a sudden they started to use it.

hope this helps

Lisa - posted on 06/23/2009

When I was potty training my daughter we were using pull ups, one day I decided to put her in panties and not use pull ups anymore. As soon as I did that she got it. I guess the pull up absorbed the wetness so it didn't bother her, but when it got all over her pants it was almost overnight that she started using the potty.

Liane - posted on 06/23/2009

Wait until your little one is ready... just b/c you want to doesn't mean they are ready. Potty training should not be something that takes endless months to accomplish. If your daughter is truly ready, it should take a matter of days.

Angie - posted on 06/23/2009

I let my son run around the house naked. I would just keep reminding him that if he needed to pee or poop to use the potty. When he did go I made a big deal out of it singing, clapping, dancing etc. I would also give him a sticker (in his very own notebook lol )and a piece of his favorite candy. Once he got good at going to the potty I would just put shorts on him, then go to pull ups and shorts etc. I hope this helps but really they will go when they are ready.. Good luck!!

Mary - posted on 06/23/2009

I had to fight with my son too! The biggest thing is to not push them and use rewards something as simple as stickers worked for my son he is 2 1/2 not fully trained yet but he loves getting a sticker every time he try's. I would also say make sure that they are in the bathroom with you (monkey see monkey do) Sounds weird but it works!! Good luck and I hope that she get's the hang of it soon!!

Teresa - posted on 06/23/2009

What worked for me was two things. My son was rewarded with, well, more like bribed with, gumballs for number one and Matchbox Airplanes for number two. It was easier with number one. What I figured out with number two, is that he wanted to be hidden, like in a closet. I wasn't going to put the potty in there, so I allowed him to have a blanket. Somehow, that worked. Then he realized it was really hot under the blanket and learned to close the door and that was about all the privacy he needed. Find what works with your kid but don't be afraid to bribe them. He stopped asking for rewards after he had all the airplanes he wanted. Good luck!

Srividya - posted on 06/23/2009

well, a sucker for a reward did it with my oldest. I have to figure it out for my little boy who is now 18 months. I plan to start him this summer - next month actually.