Potty Training - Saint Paul,MN

Hi A.,
i had the very same problem with my daughter. she was almost completely potty trained by 18 months and then a month later, her brother was born and it all went out the window. it took her another 9 months or so to finally decide that she was ready to use the potty again. i know how frustrating it is (especially when you have TWO in diapers). Truth be told i dont really have any real tricks to give you because i just cant remember what actually worked. i do remember having lots of talks with my daughter about being a big sister and how big sisters wear "big girl panties" and all that. She will be ready when she's ready i guess, hang in there though and dont push too hard. if you sound super excited when you are talking about the potty maybe she will get excited about it too.

This may not be what you want to hear, but I think you have to wait this one out until your daughter decides she is ready. Potty training is not something you can really force on a kid without seriously traumatizing them, and I'm sure you don't want that! It sounds like your daughter has been through a lot already, so maybe just let this go for a few months and see if she develops an interest. It may take a while, but she will.

Honestly, I think it is best not to push them too much. Kids learn well with encouragement, but I don't think it is good to force issue. They do go up and down in the process and most moms I talk with say around age three is when it really hits home. My daughter really stuck with it after three and then at nighttime, after age four. I think because we did not push her so much we had no problems with bed-wetting, etc...hang in there!

I am having the same problem with my 2.5 year old boy. I know he knows, and he tells me when he's going, but he refuses to go on the potty no matter what incentives I've used - stickers, treats, potties, undies, going to play areas. If you come up with any good advice on this, please let me know. :)