Potty Timer

Hey I used the timer with my daughter and it worked really well... she didn't end up depending on it like you fear may happen, but every kid is different. Hope it ends up working for you.

hello L.
that is the same way i touhgt all five of my girls to potty and it is the same way i will do baby six and seven when they come in feb as far as them getting use to the timer i never had that problem.as far as the poop thing dose i assume he going in his pants .most kids poop around the same time so when it get close to that time put him on the potty for five or so min and with boys i hear they work well with brives hot wheel are cheap and ever time he poops in the potty give him a hot wheel i picked up five or so at a time with my youngest daughter and told her if she pooped in the potty she got it now we have over 50 cars but she loved them well good luck with it and sorry you have had bad luck with the site A.

I used the kitchen timer too with both of my kids and it worked. It helped remind me when I needed to remind them. If they went pee, then I would wait for 45min to 1hour before making them try again. If they did not go pee, then we would try again in 15-20mins. As far as the poop goes, I agree to watch for a pattern time that he goes everyday and also watch for his "cues" right before he goes, maybe he goes off by himself or something? Good Luck!!!!

L.,

My boy is 3 1/2 and just recently has been consistent with using the potty and staying dry. I tried many different techniques in the past including using the timer, but unfortunately it was hit and miss in regaurds to using the potty and staying dry. I don't know what happened but something just clicked with him recently. He has been dry for almost 2 weeks with one day of have 2 accidents. If the timer is working for your son then keep using it. If anything, it will remind you to ask him if he has to go potty on a consistent basis. I know how it is with multiple children and a full schedule, 2 hours can go by before you realize that you have not asked if they have to use the potty. I hope this helps you. Blessings! J.

You really have to keep reminding them a lot for a long time anyway, so if you are using a timer or if you are remembering to take him often without the timer, it is still a job for the parent for about 6 mos to a year. You ahve to be aware of their surroundings. It would be my guess that there is a routine at the sitters that she takes them regularly and he is not remembering to go all on his own, or that their are some older kids there and when they go, it reminds him to go, and it works like a timer, or like you taking him every hour or so. They just need reminders because they get busy and are paying so much attention to what they are doing. It has been my experience that them they get into their games, they forget, even though they are dancing around and holding themselves. They won't need the timer forever, it is an age thing. If it works for you and your little guy then more power to you and don't fret, it's all good.

Hi L.
I never actually used a timer that my kids knew of but I did put them on the potty every hour to start with and then just adjusted the time as they got the idea. I wish I had thought of the timer though, it sounds like a great idea.
I don't think your son will get used to the timer and I'm sure phasing it out will be easier than you're thinking. He will realise he prefers being dry and start listening to his body's cues to go without being told by Mom, Dad or anyone else. If he's showing an interest now is definately the time to start trying. I had both my boys out of diapers by age 2, the youngest was only 21 months and took just one week to be pee and poop trained because he wanted to be like his big brother.
It sounds to me like you're doing a great job so just keep doing what you're doing. Good luck ;)

I used a timer to potty train my now 5 year old son. I would set it for 2 hours when it went off he had to stop what ever he was doing and go sit on the potty, if he went I would set it for another 2 hours, if he didn't go I would set it for 15 minutes and would continue that until he did go--it took two weeks until he was totally potty trained even at night. he was 2 at the time and has had maybe 4 accidents since he has been potty trained. good luck.

If the timer is working well for you but you want to put a little bit of the responsibility back on him you could try a potty timer watch. Amazon.com sells them for anywhere from $11.95 - $13.95. You could make it a fun thing for him to put on his big boy watch & listen for the beep to go potty. My kids had more success when they felt they were having fun & accomplishing something. If you're concerned about the timer becoming a crutch for him maybe you could gradually phase it out (we don't wear our watch outside, in the pool, sandbox, etc.) It's so easy to get wrapped up in just getting the potty training done & over and being able to relax & depend on them to do it on their own. It will happen for you. Good luck to you =)

Hi L.,

My best advice, based on your first comment about "feeling worse than when I sat down", is to relax. Children learn and grow at different paces and you don't need to stress over any of it. Your child WILL potty train in time. Don't let other parents or friends tell you that your child should be doing any one thing by any certain time. If you are working with your child daily on whatever the task is, he/she will get it. None of my children were potty trained until three yrs. old and none of them knew the alphabet by sight before Kindergarten. They weren't interested in learning that from me. Now they are all straight A students and have surpassed many of those children who seemed to know everything in kindergarten. I wouldn't go to all the trouble of a timer for potty training. I would just repeatedly ask if he/she needs to go potty. Also, does your child drink more throughout the day at home? You might limit that. If he/she is drinking all day, he/she will definitely need to go potty more often. My guess is that at day care they get snack and drink at planned times so that it is easier to stay dry. Good Luck! You are a conscientious mom-your child will be fine.