Sitting on potty for a long time- 2 year old

acoxwell

Hi all- My DS turned 2 earlier this month.  He has done well with potty training but we are still in pull ups because he hasn't quite gotten the hang of #2 in potty.  (I think that is related to my question.)  DH is out of town this weekend, so I'm hoping to take the opportunity to have more practice since we will be home.  He has been staying dry in his pull up and last weekend we took our first trip to the park in undies!

The problem we are having is that DS wants to sit on the potty for a LONG time.  5-10 minutes each time.  This morning I eventually just pulled him off it so that we could get ready for day care.  Problem is, he pooped 5 minutes later.

I have tried given him a time limit by saying "After we sing ABC's you have to get off the potty."  This is not working.  Should I let him sit as long as he wants to make sure he does his business?  Any ideas of an activity that would give us a "time limit" but not discourage his concentration on his business?  TIA!

ashiscute

My DD does this but after she was fully trained.  But she would easily sit up there for 15 minutes or longer every time.  If we know she is done then we'll set a timer and make her get down.  

I think though 5 minutes is not very long for a LO trying to potty train.  He is still learning his body and how to time poop so I would not get him down.  I'd give him at least 10 minutes and if he seems like he might still have to go wait longer. 

acoxwell

@ashiscute I agree- once I posted I started thinking that 5-10 minutes isn't all that long, but it feels like forever with an irritable toddler sometimes.  I've thought about using a timer.  I like the idea of only using it once he appears to be finished.