Power struggles and potty training

marigolds

DD turned 3 in Feb.  She's been able to use the potty since December.  The problem is, she refuses to use it regularly.  It's maddening!  Last week she had diarreah and used the potty consistently, I assume because she didn't want "it" in her diaper.  But this week she's healthy and is refusing to use the potty again.

I tried bribing her... told her we'd go to Chuck E. Cheese if she wears panties and uses the potty for an entire week.  She's intriqued, but insists she likes wearing diapers.  Should I just throw out her diapers?  She can hold her pee for at least 4 hours and sometimes over night.  She's definitely ready.  I swear it's just a power struggle.

Help.

EliseB0323

A lot of 3-year-old behavior stems from them wanting to be in control. I'd just let her decide when she is ready. She'll figure it out in her own time.

xbrooklyngrl

I'd either let it go until she's ready OR just keep her in her underwear and forget about the diapers.

belle204

I wouldn't push her. The more I tried to get A to do it the worse she became. She finally decided a few months after she turned 3 it was time. Her pediatrician told me I was setting myself up for a struggle if I pushed her and I would lose. I Dr. Jeff. GL!

marigolds

The thing is, I stopped pushing two months ago!  How long should I let it go?  I thought it was a good sign that she used the potty last week when she was sick.  And now she won't even consider it. 

And belle, I pm'd you.

xbrooklyngrl

Are you still keeping diapers on her?

marigolds

Yup.  But the problem is she holds her pee, so when she finally does pee, she often leaks.

xbrooklyngrl

can you try to just keep her in her underwear and let her have a few accidents, hopefully she won't like the feel and will go to the potty?

marigolds

That's the crux of my problem.  She refuses to even put on her big girl panties.  (Yes, she picked them out at the store.)  She throws a ridiculous, loud, crying, screaming tantrum and repeatedly yells, "I like wearing diapers!" 

I don't know if forcing her to wear panties is the answer or just letting her wear diapers indefinitely is the answer. 

xbrooklyngrl

I'd just leave it alone then until she seems ready. There's no point in forcing her into it. She'll do it when she's ready.

clintsbabe

OMG, I'm having a similar problem.  My dd wants to wear panties but she still pees and poops in them.  It's beyond gross and I'm so fed up.  Plus DH is deployed, so it's just me, her, and our 14-month-old all the time.  I'm seriously losing my sanity over this issue!  Sometimes she'll use the potty (has only tried to poop on it once though), but it's just when she feels like it.  She's incredibly stubborn.  I don't really want to go back to Pull-Ups but I'm starting to resent her.