Help - Gresham, OR

When my son was potty training I kept a sticker book on the back of the toilet and every time he went he got a sticker. He got 2 for going number 2 since that's a little more involved. After he got 10 stickers he was able to pick something to do - go to the park, watch a movie, go out to pizza or pick a small toy from a box (dollar store type stuff). This system really worked because it involved consistent positive reinforcement.
I was your age when I had my son - he is 10 now and I am doing it on my own. I know how difficult it can be to raise a child when you yourself are so young. It can be a real challenge - keep your head up tap whatever resources you have - support groups, grandparents and other parents in your neighborhood.
Good luck with the potty training!

Hello,
Potty training can be easy if it's fun. #1 rule: be open. If I'm going potty I allow my young ones in the bathroom. Thus, they don't feel excluded or that the bathroom is a scary/ secluded place. Then as I flush away the "goods", I encourage my kids to say bye-bye. Asking constantly if we can try going and let them sit on the toilet...even if they don't potty, I shout with joy and jump so high that my head almost hits the cealing! :) Excitment, encouragement, and unconditional love will inspire that little one to learn. Remember your child will be big before you know it and will be able to do anything and everything soon enough!!! Not to rush or stress.

Helpful hints for rainy days: make homemade playdough (can find recipes on line, google), make cookies, puzzles, hide-and-seek, be creative with the internet...it does wonders for me!

Also, I commend you on your strength with being a youthful family. Times may get tiresome and vigourous, but you will make it. Don't let anyone get you down and remember you can be and do anything you set your mind to!

Sincerely and blessfully,
A.

I know parenting is hard and I do want to encourage you with the thought that there is nothing more important or valuable in the world than what you are doing!
As for potty training, make sure he has some enthusiasm himself for the process. Don't push it on him too hard or too fast or you will only frustrate the both of you. "think of it as a marathon, not a sprint." In my case, it was a "two steps forward, one step back" process.
I never felt like I had to entertain my child. Yes, I tried to spend some time reading or playing, but not hours at a time! The rest of the time, I involved him in my own work. Like, he helped me wash dishes, sweep, vacuum, etc. It takes longer, but they are learning valuable things and they LOVE being praised as mama's helper. It is hard to be stuck in the house all day -- I try to get out even on cold, rainy days!
Best wishes to you.

I personally didn't try this but my sister in law did. It's called elimination communication. Oh and he is fully trained at 2 years old.

Wikipedia:

Elimination communication (EC) is a process by which a caregiver uses timing, signals, cues, and intuition to address an infant's excretive needs, partially or completely avoiding the use of diapers. Diapers can be used but usually tend to become extraneous and unnecessary after a point. The emphasis of EC is placed on communication. When one practices EC, they are in essence trying to communicate as much as possible with their child about the elimination process, helping the child to become aware of their own body. The term "elimination communication" was inspired by traditional practices of diaper-less baby care in less industrialized countries and hunter-gatherer cultures.[1] EC can begin at birth and is usually started before six months of age, although it can be practiced at any age. If started in the later months or after age one, babies are more likely to be "diaper trained," and may be less aware of and/or able to communicate their elimination needs. The term "late starter" refers to a baby who starts EC after six months or after age one.

The terms elimination communication and natural infant hygiene were coined by Ingrid Bauer and are used interchangeably in her book, Diaper Free! The Gentle Wisdom of Natural Infant Hygiene (2001). Bauer had traveled to India and Africa, where she noticed that most mothers would carry their diaperless babies constantly, yet she saw no elimination "accidents" as would be expected in industrialized countries where babies wear diapers almost continuously from birth. Subsequently, she raised her own children with minimal use of diapers, and eventually began to share her approach with other mothers and caregivers — initially through Internet-based parenting support groups and eventually through her book and website.

Hope this helps.

Misty

A good book is the perfect way to entertain a child. Read to your son!!! Be animated and joyful he'll eat it up and become joyful too.

When my son was potty training we used cherrios. We let him aim at them in the toilet. We also used rewards like a couple M&M's or something like that. Also when at home we let him run around w/o pants or diaper on, putting him on the toilet several times throughout the day. The pediatrician also recommended not to use any overnight protection. We did not use pull-ups at all w/any of our children. Make sure to put a plastic garbage bag or waterproof matress cover under his sheets to save your mattress. My kids went to bed @ 7:30-8PM so they couldn't have any drinks after 6:30-7PM.
As for being home, try building forts w/blankets over furniture.....or cardboard boxes you can let him color or pretend that is his castle. Are you by the library, sometimes they have preschool reading time and activities. Elephun is a great game, indoor bowling is fun. You can use any ball and empty boxes or anything light to knock over.
Baking cookies, you can get the pre-made ones to pop in the oven then let him decorate them.
Hope this helps.

Were do you live in Ashland there is a great place called inner child cafe or you are more then welcome to join our moms group http://sahm.meetup.com/2312/ we have weekly playdates and have kids of all ages and moms of all ages to I am 24 years old :) The moms are great and the kids all have so much fun

Fist i would like to give you and your partner kodos for doing this on your own, i know it is hard, i had my first at 17 without a partner. I only have boys as step children never had to potty train them,i don't think girls are to much differnt though. We had a book "Once upon a potty" we kept on the back of the toilet and read while sitting there. they have lots of books like this now, also we taped a big piece of paper to the wall in the bathroom to put all the stickers (Books of little ones from the dollor store worked well) earned (by going potty) this worked great for 3 of my girls, then i had one who could care less about stickers, for her we used temporary tatoos, it took awhile to catch on but being able to rool up her sleeves and tell everyone she saw she earned them but being a big girl and using the potty worked wonders. when accadents happened "oh well lets get cleaned up and try for the sticker/tattoo next time" seemed to work better than anything else. hope this helps. as for intertaining him, i have read some good advice here already. at this age they love to emulate adults, try getting him a kid sized broom and dustpan, he can help you wipe the table, or set it (using all plastic dishes can be fun) as for nonhousehold stuff coloring is a good one for you both (it is proven to reduce stress in adults there are many good free printable coloring page sites my favorate is http://abcteach.com/directory/basics/abc_activities/ because it can help identify shapes letters and numbers, if you sit and color with him then hang his and let him hang yours. I have many other ideas but don't want to overwhelm you msg me if you would like more. or just want to talk to someone who has been where you are. best of luck!

There are endless ways to entertain a child--You just have to use your imagination. Play peek a boo. Read to him. Lay on the floor with him and let him crawl over "the mountain" Get him some blocks and an empty box-they love to transfer objects. A great website is cranium.com--they give alot of ideas for kids that don't cost any money. Another great place is the play area at Northtown--it's a way to meet other moms and kids. I sometimes run out of ideas too but then just try to think of something, as little as it may seem--they may enjoy it a lot (hide and seek). One of the most important things I learned with our first one (from Dr. Phil) is to tell him every night when he's laying in bed, "How did I get so lucky- out of all the boys in the whole wide world, to have the most special one?) We now (he's 5) just ask him "Do you know how special (or great, etc.) you are??" He always answers "Super" Kids just need to know how much you love them!!!!!!! As far as the potty training, he may or may not be ready- we were lucky with our son--one day we told him we were going to get him Big Boy Underwear. He put it on and said he didn't want to poop on Bob The Builder and we were trained- He was 2 1/2.

Personally, I am still struggling with the potty training issue. I just have to say pick a method and stick to it. As for the rainy day entertainment have you tried the mall play areas? They are perfect for 2 year olds to burn off some energy. You could also make a few laps around the mall to get some exercise and do some window shopping.

I trained my almost three year old by the "clock method" in a weekend... I told my son on a Friday morning that he was a big boy now and didn't need to wear diapers like a baby. I put him in big boy pants and started the day. You set your timer to 20 minutes and EVERY 20 minutes you take your son potty... Unless they are sleeping. Sometimes he will want to go and sometimes he won't but you must push through. Just keep setting the timer for the weekend and by Monday you will have trained his body clock and you should be good. Mind you, this will only work if he is ready to be potty trained... Good Luck!

Even at that young age, try reading to him with colorful pictures. He will learn to love reading himself. Also, do anything creative with him. Cut up pieces of colored paper and let him glue stick them on another piece or macaroni. You can use anything around the house to create with. There should be craft ideas on the internet also. I work with my friend's 4 children doing crafty things and the 2 year old always wants to be part of it. Whatever I am doing he wants to do it also. Give him large color crayons and let him scrfibble. He can even help you put cookie dough on the cookie sheet and will be so excited to see his cookies when they are done. But do something WITH him.

I have read, heard, and experienced that boys are slower at picking up on potty training in comparison with girls. It is usually said that you can start potty training as early as 2, if, if the child is ready! My boys were potty trained at 3; they were just not ready at 2. I did exactly the same thing as Erica explains in her response. I took them potty every 20-30 minutes during the day. It took me only 1-2 weeks to totally train my kids at that age! Usually it takes longer at 2 to train, but again it depends on the child. Good luck!