my daughter will be three in august but will not entertain the potty or the toilet ive tryed making it fun and tryed using different methods but she just doesnt seem interested has anyone got any advice would be much appreciated.

Nana - posted on 04/13/2011

Here is what worked for us. Children like to climb up the toilet themselves. The best thing for us was the potty seat that came with the step. You can buy one online or sometimes at a baby store. Here are the next steps:
1. Take her shopping and let her pick out her own panties.
2. Make a picture of her sitting on the toilet and tape the paper on the bathroom door. Tell her every time she uses the toilet, she will either receive a sticker (she can pick them out and stick them on.)
2. Read Dora's potty book or any potty book with pictures she would like.
3. Keep a stack of her favorite books next to the toilet.
4. Take a long weekend and plan to stay home all 3 days. Perhaps this Easter. No outings so you are next to the bathroom the whole time.
5. Morning of Day 1 - Tell her she is a big girl, just like "Dora" or whichever book you are using and she is going to practice just like her. Put on her new panties.
6. Ask her is if she has to pee every 1-2 hours or more frequently if she had liquids.
7. If she is dancing around or you think it is her usual time for a BM, ask her is she wants to read a book in the bathroom.
8. Every time she sits on the toilet, let her choose a sticker to put on the paper. Have both parents show enthusiasm after she succeeds. If you like, you can say after 10 stickers, she will receive a surprise and you can give her any small item you think she would like.

If there is an accident, do not scold her - tell her it is ok and that everyone has accidents, but no sticker. She will feel uncomfortable enough to try to prevent it next time.
Try this all 3 days and she will be out of pull-ups. There will be some accidents, so clear out all the nice rugs, put a bed cover on her bed and extra sheets for accidents at night. Have her pee before bed, take her to pee before you go to bed and sleep closer to her so that you can be right there when she has to pee at night.
It is a 24 hour, 3 day commitment from you and your husband, but once you get through it, she will be good to go. Hope this helps. Good luck!

JoJo - posted on 04/13/2011

Hi Liann..my daughter is all grown up now..but when she was little and it's that time of year again..I bought her a brand new bathing suit and called it a "big girl" bathing suit..she picked it out, but she understood that the only way she can wear it is by being a big girl and using the potty. The material is not made for potty pants and she never wet or soiled again except a few accidents at night for a few months. Good luck!

Kristine - posted on 04/13/2011

I always found the more I pushed the less it worked. My 2nd son, wasn't completely trained until 3 1/2, he was slow. I wouldn't push it. He did better at preschool because he watched the other kids go. Is your daughter in a preschool or daycare setting yet? I also found it was much easier to do it in the summer, less clothes. Have you taken her to pick out her own undies yet, my son did so much better when he picked out his special underwear, he didn't want to mess it up. It took awhile, it was frustrating for me, more so because my oldest son was sooo easy to train.