Potty Training - Vicksburg,MI

you don't have time to read a book. Okay. Here's a website that's wonderful and the info will take 15 minutes and save you headaches.

http://www.betterkidcare.psu.edu/AngelUnits/OneHour/Toile...

This, by the way, is the approach being used by early childhood ed programs and I've found it to be the easiest by far. My son was using the toilet in a day or two and has been very successful with this.

PS: I can honestly say that, from my experience of nearly 20 years in working with very young children, the only children who 'master' a three-day system are the ones who were already entirely ready to begin with. Please review the readiness assessment on the site I suggested. This approach to toileting is very validating for children and less work for us. So often, when we go forward without all the gimmicks and rewards, our children feel more ownership of their process. The natural reward for learning their own body's signals and responding to them is staying dry. :)

We did the cold turkey with both of my girls (now 6 and 3). No diapers, pullups, etc, just straight underwear. The book that I based it on encouraged the use of a pottying doll (worked for my #1, but was just a distraction for #2), where the child can "teach" the doll to go potty. Encourage salty snacks and lots of liquids so there are more opportuntities to go. Reward for going potty on the potty, and try to come up with something for accidents, too. I think the book encouraged leaving the kid in the wet underwear and "practicing" running to the potty, so not really a punishment, just something different. The big thing is to be consistent. It will be harder on you than it is on the kid. We asked "are you still dry?" a lot, and gave high fives when they were. For the first couple hours, that's all we did was pottying, then once they got the drill, we continued on with our day. There were lots of accidents, but both were good to go within a couple days.

Hi T.,

I have never been really big on the "Potty Training Gimmicks" but I guess they work for some. I agree with Hazel that the key is that the child is ready. Save yourself a lot of grief and frustration and only attempt potty training when your child is interested and knows when he has to go. I learned the hard way with my middle child that you cannot force a child to go. Be especially aware if either of your boys are strong-willed that you might have a battle on your hands. I have heard that the 3-Day potty training rarely works for children under age three.
I hope whatever method you choose goes well for you.

Are you saying you are going to train both at once? I would go for the 3 year old first. A 2 year old boy might not be really ready. Back in my day ( LOL! ) we all waited til they were dry at night. Then YOU know he can hold it subconciously for a long time. A full "morning bladder " gives a great result first thing in the morning. I went cold turkey...no pants, no diapers, no pull ups (not invented yet). Having no pants, your little guy can feel and see what happens when he goes. Giving pennies for success can be a good reward as long as he has a goal of what to do with his pennies....what do pennies mean to him? Stickers can help too...maybe a certain number of success stickers could mean a trip to McDonalds or a special treat of some kind. The main thing is to first determine if he is mentally and physically ready. Then plan several days to just be home so you both can concentrate on the task at hand. Choose a non-busy weekend so you won't feel the need to use a diaper or pullup because you have to go somewhere. Being consistent is key. Be ready with lots of paper towels and patience.