Potty Training

Get those big kid diapers and the baby potty. Looks like this one is ready.

[MBASS]

update: son says pee pee and runs into the bathroom not using potty but knows where to go atleast! we saw him straining the other not and plunked him on the pot and he cried a little, went poop and then was very happy to wave bye bye to the poop in the potty! some progress maybe?!

[Jason]

Never had a boy, but my girls were all potty trained at 2. The last one looks like she'll follow suit (22 mos).

[Dr T]

That's great MBASS! Verbal reinforcement for approximations like that can be useful/good. I actually use M&M's.

[shanstress70]

AWESOME! Hopefully you'll have an easy time of it.

[Maureen]

It's been a while for my kids, but I'll add my 2 cents.

I define totally potty trained as not needing a diaper during the day or at night-time sleeping.

My daughter was totally trained about 2 months before her 3rd birthday. First time I started to attempt training her was when she was 2 - she got the chicken pox and we did nightly baths. About 5 minutes out of the tub she would walk around naked and then pee, where ever she was. This happened several times before it occured to me to sit her on the potty after the bath. The first time she was quite intrigued with the noise and wanted to stand and look but she stayed sitting until done and then looked. So once she got the idea about the potty it was easier.

My son was different though. I can't quite remember how we started with him but he wasn't daytime trained till about 31/2 to 4 years old and night time trained about 5 years old.

And by the way, I don't think there should be any scolding at all when it comes to children learning how to use the toilet. Peeing and pooping are just normal body functions and there should not be any negative consequences if accidents happen.

MBASS, sounds like your son is ready to start - good luck!

M.

[angelbaby]

I'll tell you what worked for me (a friend suggested it to me after i asked her for advice), though every child is different & will do their own thing when they are ready. I started this around 16 months. I sat my son on the potty every hour on the hour, just to get him used to the routine. If he did anything in it we'd get all excited and be like "yay, look what you did on the potty, you're so clever!", etc. Do that for a few days (how ever many days you feel necessary). Then go from every hour to every 2 hours and so on, gradually, so they are used to the routine & begin to understand what the potty is all about. Also, stretching the time further & further so they begin to know to go them selves when they are ready.

The potty got broken one day (my husband tripped over it), so then i moved our son from the potty, to the toilet (using one of those little kid seats you sit over the toilet seat). Initially he hated it, he literally screamed the house down the first few days. I just held him there and made him sit a few minutes. He got the idea & after a couple days he stopped freaking out & realised that it wasn't a bad thing. It didn't take long till he was taking himself. Just leave the door open & the seat on, and they will start taking themselves. Even if they just sit there, they're getting the idea.

The other thing is, take notice of when your child does his business, whether it's first thing in the morning or last thing at night. That's when you should sit them on the toilet, they're more likely to do something then. Also (sorry if this is confusing, i'm typing while i jog my memory) Only use nappies when you go out & at bed time. If you're home, just let them wear underpants. If they wee or poop, yeah there's a bit of a mess to clean up - but they work out pretty quick that it's gross having a mess in their pants and they tend to start wanting to get to the toilet in time.

Phew. Hope that made sense & was of some use to you.

[Gwen]

ok, i know no one has touched this one in a while, but i'm new here and being in the middle of potty training myself thought i would take a look. many great ideas. thanks.

one thing i did for my first son is i just told him one day (just turned 3yrs) that the diapers were gone, (we actually had run out and things were tight and the check didn't come for another week, so literally the diapers were gone). we spent all day outside (he loved it and it cut down on the mess inside). we designated a pee pee tree. when he felt it he went on the tree, going in to the toilet of course to poo. once he could predict and hold long enough to go inside we transitioned to the toilet. we started on a monday, he was in underwear for church the next week, no accidents.

however my second wasn't so easy, he was nearly four. we had a lot of excitement in the house with his big brother starting school this year (yes this was a month ago) so i told him when his borther went off to school we were having potty school. i talked it up as much as i did real school. the first day of "school" the diapers were gone. every 1 1/2 hours i had him go through the motions of sitting on the potty, waiting, flushing, washing hands ect. and then he would get a star sticker on his shirt. if he actually went pee he got three stars, and poo got five. i agree with others that have said no punishment for accidents. i mean come on at nine months pregnant and chasing little ones i have almost wet myself, and i expect more from them? lol anyway, he got it in 1 1/2 weeks. after learning we went to the store and he got to pick out whatever kind of big boy underwear he wanted (up to this point he was using big brothers hand me downs). that was the biggest incentive for him i think.

really funny story. i sit my boys down at first because i have experianced no other way. then i have my husband teach the "man" aspect once they get it down. i have also come to expect no privacy for myself with so many little ones. about two weeks ago i was out with the little ones and he had to go so we went into a family restroom. you know the really big ones with the changing table and stuff. anyway, we all had to go. after i went and was washing my hands my son (just turned 4) said "mommy you really need to learn to stand like big boys." i had to actully think about that response.

ok, laugh with me.

anyway, i still have two more to go so thanks for the tips, they are all so different.

ALmom

p.s. so how is your little one doing?

[Maureen]

...we spent all day outside (he loved it and it cut down on the mess inside). we designated a pee pee tree...[/b]

Boys have those great benefits...I remember when my son was little and we were outside and needed a bathroom quick, so I introduced my son to a tree and he thought it was so funny.

M.

[lannesackman]

This is great! Thanks for all of the advice.. I am in the midst of potty training. I am really hating the smell of pee. My son is very stubborn and we have been trying for 6 months..on and off. This time I think he has got it. (I hope) I am taking some of your advice and trying again..
I have been doing the praise, party, treat method and it seems to be woring..
Thanks
Lindsay