We’ve had a potty chair in the bathroom for almost a year. Toddler Boy showed a little interest early so we bought one and let it sit there. Never pushed it or “trained” until a couple months ago. Things went pretty well in the beginning and he seemed to take to it. Of course, he’s had his fair share of accidents. Thankfully, never a number 2/poop/crap/sh*t/whatever accident but for a random unfortunate upset stomach incident a couple weeks ago. (I wondered how to word that delicately, but I don’t think it’s possible – the whole post is potty talk, after all.)
I was nervous sending him to preschool in underwear because even though he’s done fairly well I’m not confident in his ability to stop what he’s doing and go to the bathroom. The teachers assured me it was okay and they expect accidents. It is a classroom of 2.5 – 3 year olds. Well, of course, two days of school so far and an accident both days. ::sigh::
But, today I’ve reached the end of my patience with this “potty training” crap. This kid should be potty trained. He had two accidents today. One time he was running around the house pantless (as he often does in the morning – a genius but clearly ineffective PT’ing technique) and let loose on the new wood floor. The second time, he left the room to pee in private. Sadly, it was in his room and not the bathroom. WTF, kid?
Even bigger ::sigh::
I’m just exhausted, frustrated, tired of this in between phase. On the one hand I want to throw in the towel and put him in diapers for a while. On the other hand, he knows when he has to go and the majority of the time he goes on the toilet and not in his pants.
Tell me what to do. I’m done thinking about it. And, please, for the love of God, tell me he won’t be peeing his pants in 4th grade.
Sonya
September 6, 2009It takes time and patience! My son was a very slow potty trainer (although I have to admit I wasn't pushing too hard because I didn't want to freak the poor child out.
Overall, you can let it work itself out or find the right bribe (for my son is was coins… he was all about money then). Sad to say, but bribery works (and I don't think it harms them too much!)
Good luck!
Baby Signs(R) With Elizabeth ICI, INC.
September 6, 2009Ahhh the joys of potty training
I have many potty training articles on my blog and I also offer free potty training consultation.. so if you email me your situation I'd be happy to offer some step by step advice.
How long have you been training, what rewards and method are you using and how does he react to accidents?
I don't advise parents to do the naked potty training, peeing on the floor doesn't bother them. If they are wearing underwear then the wetness sticks to them and doesn't feel nice.
Setting a timer works well, having a surprise prize box of rewards works well, DVDs and books….
Hope I've helped a little. And no, he won't be wearing diapers in 4th grade.
Oh! and don't go back to diapers, it will make it so much harder when you try again!
Anonymous
September 6, 2009I am so not looking forward to doing this again!
We did the run-around-naked-when-we're-home thing for about six months with my older daughter. Things got serious when little sister was on the way because I didn't want two in diapers. Her teacher was the one that really made it happen though. She told us to send her in her undies one Monday and bring 10 changes of clothes (!!). The first day she changed four times, the second day two times, and by day four she was dry all day. I think it just takes time of peeing in your pants and realizing it's gross!
I promise you he won't be having accidents in fourth grade! Although my 3 1/2 year old is still in diapers at night because that training isn't going so well
Jana
tinygiraffeshop
September 6, 2009I don't have any miracle solution, but what worked for us was actually letting the child take the lead. I never once pushed it or even really talked about it. Put potties in her room and downstairs and one day out of nowhere she went on it…and it was overnight that she was completely potty trained. Mind you, this was at almost 3 years old, so maybe a little late, not sure…BUT, there was no struggle and really no transition. She went from diapers to undies the next day. I'm sure it's different for every kid…so I guess really I have no real answer.
All I do know is that the older they are, the faster the 'training' goes. I think the reason there was no transition was because she was older.
Stacie
September 6, 2009You know what I use to do. I use to take the potty chair and every so often I use to have the boys sit on it while watching tv. They couldn't get off it until they went. Poo was the hardest one for us. Dakota would get a diaper when he needed to poo. It's been so long since I was in the potty training phase to remember. I will have to do the potty training thing with my daughter soon enough.
The Shopping Mama
September 6, 2009Thanks for all the advice.
@Sonya I know I have to be patient, but oy is it frustrating?
@Elizabeth You can definitely expect an email from me! Thanks for the offer to help
We've used rewards and they work for a bit and then he seems to get bored with it and doesn't even care if he gets the M&M he earned or not. More often than not, I notice he's had an accident and he doesn't really react at all.
The Shopping Mama
September 6, 2009@Jana I haven't even thought about night training yet! That seems like a whole new level of frustration.
@tiny giraffe shop I'm so jealous you had an easy time. I definitely think waiting worked to your advantage!
barbara
September 6, 2009For my son, I waited until HE was ready. When he asked why he was the only one in pre-school with diapers, I pulled out the potty chair and he was trained pretty quickly.
With my daughter, it was awful! I eventually did the bribery thing. I bought a package of Hersheys Kisses. She would sit on the potty chair for 5 minutes at the top of each hour and then she got a Kiss. I think we went through 2 bags.
Don't listen to what other people say their kids are doing. Everyone is different. And the more stressed YOU are, the harder it's going to be on HIM.
Good luck!
barbara
September 6, 2009P.S. One of the most comforting things I ever read was that NOBODY goes to college in diapers. When you look at it that way, you realize that it IS going to be over someday – so there are a lot of other things that you're better off putting your energy into than this.
Jeanette
September 6, 2009It'll come. Such a cute thing, my great neice told me, aunt nette, I wear big girl panties and I'm 3. Then she said, but if I have an accident, then I'll have to go back to being 2. LOL
come over for a visit SITSta!
sweetjeanette.blogspot.com