Potty Training Blues!

You know what, don't stress about it and don't let anyone tell you she should be getting it by now. Every child is different!!!! If she's not telling you she needs to go pee until after she's already done it, it doesn't sound like she's getting the concept yet. Will she go to kindergarten in diapers...no, she will when she's ready. My twins were closer to 4, we tried it earlier and every time they didn't get it and it was horrible, finally I waited until they really seemed to get the concept and boom they totally did it. Hardly any accidents, no problems at night ever, so wait awhile and try again.

I tried the wait til they're ready with all 3 of mine, and had the same results as you with your son. My oldest was a little over 2, but the other 2 (boy & girl) were not done until they were well over 3. I firmly believe in wait until they are ready. I have never had any accidents with any of them, and it was really so easy. I find it hard to believe when I hear older mommas (MIL) say "I had my daughter potty trained at 9mo." I think they may have been able to get them to sit on the potty, but I don't think we have regressed that much as a society that the "magical" potty training age has changed. You are doing good with it! Let her do it on her own time.

Have you tried using a timer? Many times this helps. If they sit there (especially if they go five minutes later) Make this time special (NOT A BATTLE). Read, talk about things, sing, etc.

We used stickers that SHE picked out for EVERY successful potty. The paper is on the wall in the bathroom so she can remind herself of all her successes (and COUNT them) AND can show off when others are at your house. Abbie LOVED showing off her stickers.

I know this is going to sound kind of crazy... but have you ever thought of turning up the heat a little bit in the house and not putting any bottoms on her at all for a while? (when you are at home with her, of course) That's what I had to do with my 3 boys... it makes them more aware of their senses. Just until she starts to get the hang of it... then big girl panties would probably work fine.

Get rid of the pull ups. They keep kids way too dry. Take a look at the book "Toilet training in less than a day." It worked for me and my son was totally resistent to toilet training. It really helps you identify if your child is ready to potty train and what skills to work on for potty training.

Try putting her on the potty and then putting her hand in very warm water or just run water that sometimes will stimulate them to go.If it doesn't work wait a few more months. I trained my niece this way and it worked great all day long but when she went home she would go in her pull up as my sister was too busy to pay much attention. When she does go in the potty be sure to make a big deal out of it.

Our son was 3 and not potty trained, but obviously knew what we wanted. One day we sat him on his potty chair in front of the TV and ran his favorite movie. Gave him tons of juice, water and milk while he watched the movie. Nothing. When the movie was over and he still hadn't gone, my husband had the brilliant idea to wrap a cloth diaper around him and sat him back down. Just the feeling of the cloth around him must have made him feel right enough, because he peed RIGHT AWAY, and it ran right through into the potty. After that he was able to go in the toilet, and never had an accident.

Another crazy thought - could it be that when she is on the potty she's feeling a lot of pressure to be a "big girl", and her body is handling the stress by holding it in, and when the stress is relieved so is her bladder? Maybe putting less pressure on her to potty train might work.

You might want to check out the book "Potty Training for Dummies" - I used it when I had to potty-train a little girl in my classroom.

Don't give up though - she'll get it in time!

You need to put her on a regular potty schedule.
Put her on when she gets up, before naps and bedtime, after meals, before going out, after arrival home, etc.
Encourage her to go.
If she pees, put a star on a chart...if she poops, let her choose a sticker for the chart.
Set up a reward for a certain number of stars or stickers,for example, a trip to the "Dollar" store where she can pick something out.
You must do this consistently until she gets the idea.
This is a part of growing up.
It is training....it doesn't just happen very often like it did with your son.
But it will be learned if you follow through.

Hey!
My kids were both potty trained before they were 2. They were asking to go to the potty so they were ready. One of the things I did was have my kids teach a doll to go potty. Dr. Phils idea. We found a potty time elmo that came with a sippy cup, a potty, and big kid underwear. That might be something to try since she is asking to go. I don't think she is completely ready yet, but she sounds close. Don't completely give up. I have a friend who scolded me for having my kids potty trained by that age. Her son was 4 before he was going to the potty by himself. The doctor thought I was crazy when I took my daughter in to her 15 month check up in big girl panties, so I don't think your kids are too old. They told me I shouldn't be worrying about it until they were 3. I took my kids to the potty with me, I made my husband take my son with him. That way they know everyone goes and it is not so scary. Don't be frustrated. They will get it in their own time.
Good luck!

My daughter will be 3 in March. She does the same to us. We wake her up in the morning and put her on the potty chair. For the most part she will use it. The only time she doesn't use it is when she is running around the house. We ask her periodically if she has to go. Sometimes she says no and other times she says yes but she goes on the way up the steps. I know because her diaper is warm. I am trying to have her trained completely before she turns 3. I will keep checking this site for updates and post anything that I see something works.

J.

well I know this is almost a month later....hopefully you have it all under control. But if your still having problems. With my daughter (who is now 8) I let her run around during the day in the house with no pants. Yep naked from the waist down. She was afraid to pee on the floor so so would then go on the potty chair. Once I got her to actually go on the potty I gave her a reward... something small like a fruit snack, or 1 skittle then if she went#2 a small piece of chocolate or something she really liked. Plus my babysitter and I made a big deal about it when she did go. If your don't like to bribe her with treats you can try making a chart and hanging it in the bathroom. Every time she goes put a sticker of her favorite character on it. Last but not least.. My mom had problems with my youngest sister, finally she bought her underwear with Tweety Bird on them. My little sister would never pee on Tweety Bird. It took me about a month but my little girl got it and never had a accident. My 3 1/2 year old son is a different story. But to actually answer your question... to wait or not, that is totally your call. I've learned with my kids sometimes if your getting frustrated with something taking a break helps. You might not need to wait a few months maybe just a day or two. Any way good luck.