Potty Training

MBASS · #1 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 10:39 AM

My son is 20 months old and he is beginning to take off his diaper whenever he pees or poops and says I pee or I poop. Should I start him potty training or is he still to young?! Im not entirely sure how to start this whole mess (pun intended)! Any advice from veteran potty trainers?!

shanstress70 · #2 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 11:39 AM

That is really early, IMO, but some kids are ready sooner than others, so maybe he is.

However, if you try it and get nowhere, hang it up for 6 months or so before trying again.

I have learned that they will do it when they are ready and you cannot rush them. It will only cause you undue stress.

Good luck!

Dr T · #3 (**permalink**) 07-06-2006, 12:44 PM

European counties start as early as 14 months (sometimes earlier). Here in the U.S. we say wait until the child is ready.

shanstress70 · #4 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 06:52 AM

Quote:

European counties start as early as 14 months (sometimes earlier). Here in the U.S. we say wait until the child is ready.
[/b]

I hear of people starting early like that, but I don't understand how. From my experience with my child who was difficult to potty train, he WOULD NOT do it no matter what I did. I read everything I could find on the subject and tried the positive when he was successful (praising him, celebrating with cupcakes, buying toys, calling all our relatives out of town etc.); the negative when he had an accident (scolding, taking away favorite toys, not letting him watch his favorite shows, etc.); and neutral (just acting like I didn't care one way or the other).

The only thing I didn't try is spanking, which I would not do.

In the end, when he was ready, he did it.

Do you know what methods the Europeans use?

MBASS · #5 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 09:15 AM

I dont think Im ready ha ha! I dont think my son can tell he has to go yet. What are some of the signs! I know boys are supposed to be harder than girls. Too bad we cant train them like puppies! I can do that!

Dr T · #6 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 11:20 AM

Hi Shan,

The methods are varied. I use behavioral interventions such reinforcement for approximation. When they get close to step A, reinforce. It solves a lot of problems when we do it when the child is ready. One of my children was 18 months another 20 months a third was 2 1/2. It all depends. I've known people who spank etc. Not my cup of tea either.

shanstress70 · #7 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 11:49 AM

Quote:

Hi Shan,

The methods are varied. I use behavioral interventions such reinforcement for approximation. When they get close to step A, reinforce. It solves a lot of problems when we do it when the child is ready. One of my children was 18 months another 20 months a third was 2 1/2. It all depends. I've known people who spank etc. Not my cup of tea either.
[/b]

I thought I'd lose my mind trying to get my son trained! He was over 3 before being 100% PT with no accidents!

Dr T · #8 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 04:21 PM

Hey Shan,

A lot of people don't even start training until 3. Not abnormal (in the U.S. anyway)

mrscalifornia · #9 (**permalink**) 07-07-2006, 09:58 PM

Quote:

Hey Shan,

A lot of people don't even start training until 3. Not abnormal (in the U.S. anyway)
[/b]

WEll, it's been quite a while for me, being as I have one on a mission right now, and another one soon to go, but my oldest was potty trained by 17months old, and the second was about 21 months, and the last, well, he trained himself, just by watching his older brothers. None of my boys were hard to train, so I don't know if that's true about boys being harder than girls (since I have no girls!) But one thing I am big on, is praise when they do something good, like going on the toilet. I used to sit them on the toilet and tell them how good they were, even if they didn't do anything, and we really celebrated when they did. And when they missed and went not in the toilet, I never scolded- we just cleaned it up without saying a whole lot. We had a party hat and the blower things and stuff, so when they did pee in the toilet, we literally had a party!! Also, sitting them on the toilet I hear when you are running the bath water I hear works, not sure if it did, but I know I tired that too! Well, don't know if my blabbling helped, but I wish you the best of luck with it. It doesn't hurt to try!

shanstress70 · #10 (**permalink**) 07-08-2006, 11:23 AM

Quote:

<div class='quotemain'>
Hey Shan,

A lot of people don't even start training until 3. Not abnormal (in the U.S. anyway)
[/b]

WEll, it's been quite a while for me, being as I have one on a mission right now, and another one soon to go, but my oldest was potty trained by 17months old, and the second was about 21 months, and the last, well, he trained himself, just by watching his older brothers. None of my boys were hard to train, so I don't know if that's true about boys being harder than girls (since I have no girls!) But one thing I am big on, is praise when they do something good, like going on the toilet. I used to sit them on the toilet and tell them how good they were, even if they didn't do anything, and we really celebrated when they did. And when they missed and went not in the toilet, I never scolded- we just cleaned it up without saying a whole lot. We had a party hat and the blower things and stuff, so when they did pee in the toilet, we literally had a party!! Also, sitting them on the toilet I hear when you are running the bath water I hear works, not sure if it did, but I know I tired that too! Well, don't know if my blabbling helped, but I wish you the best of luck with it. It doesn't hurt to try!
[/b][/quote]
I tried all that, and my child didn't do it. Sometimes I think it's when the child is ready, regardless.