Potty Training: what's worked

 I'm writing this for anyone who may have had similar issues or are struggling with potty training.

We tried potty training the kids at 18 months, very slow progress, tons of mess, then a bad stomach virus so we stopped for awhile. The kids just turned 2 last month and Caitlin started saying "poop" when she had pooped and they were showing interest again. So we plunged in. 

Day 1 and 2 weren't bad per say but they were "holding a lot and for long periods of time, then they would go through an hour of piddling everywhere. Day 3 for us was the worst. Lots of fussing and resistance at times, and tons of messes.  Day 4 was our magic day. It just clicked with Caitlin that day. She was telling us when she had to go, taking us to the potty to help get her undies off, and sitting patiently until she went. I was shocked because I was on the verge of giving up. Then Haley started going more and not screaming and fighting (she was scared to pee in the potty, I suppose the sensation freaked her out). She would do her potty dance, we'd take her, she'd sit, go right away, and then get up. Criton (our boy) is taking longer, but today (day 5) it is starting to click. He is trying to run over to the potty before he goes now. He also hasn't had an accident since 9:30 this morning and seems to be becoming more aware of needing to go before it actually starts. We still have to help everyone with the undies but that will come in time too. I have also taken the kids out (in underwear) for 45 mins to an hour each day (run to the store or drop their older sister off to class) and no accidents with any of the trips. Everyone tries right before we leave and when we get back.

So what we did that seemed to work: We did undies from day 1. A little bit of a pain for me but worked for them. Each child got a big poster board and got to pick their own pack of stickers. The first 3 days they got stickers for "dry checks" every hour, and for anything they did on the potty. They love the sticker charts. We also gave gummy bears for going any amount on the potty and also for just sitting and trying for the first 3 days. They gummy reward has started to phase out since they don't really care much now, but the stickers are still a big hit, and they only get them if they potty in the potty now. 

Watching for their cues: Every child will have certain cues as to when they are about to go. Some will have a particular way of standing, a potty dance of sorts, they may start to get fussy, and so on. Each of mine had a different cue but once you learn them, the process gets easier. As soon as they make the cue, run the to the potty. If they start to go, say their name, grab them, and put them on the potty. Praise any amount they get in, even if they started going on the floor first. Also reward them even if they started someplace else first but finished in the potty.

If your little one is scared of actually going on the potty: Both my girls would scream, cry, and fight about peeing in the potty. It seemed like the sensation of actually potting there (maybe even the sound) really freaked them out. So I would sit with them, hugging, holding their hands and talked very soft and calming to them just saying "Just relax, everything is ok, just relax and let it go." At one point it crossed my mind that they way I said it was like when someone is talking during a meditation session. It really worked though. After a day of doing that, they are completely calm going now and don't seem afraid. They just get on, do their business, and get off.

It may take longer then 3 days: Everything I read kept saying day 2 should be better and it should click by day 3, if not then stop and try later. Well day 3 was my hell, and day 4 and 5 are my dream. I was ready to call it quits, but I am so glad that I decided to give it more time. We still have a ways to go before they are completely independent with it. I think I still have a ways to go before DS will really have it down like the girls, but it will come with time and practice. So don't get so caught up in what everyone says the time frame should be, because every child is different. Some may get it much quicker and some may take a little longer. As long as they are progressing, I would just keep going. 

 Potties: We started with all Froggy potties (can be found at Target or Walmart). On day 3 my DH thought maybe the potties were the issue so we went and got a Safety 1st comfy cushy 3 in 1 potty and a cars 3 in 1 potty. Criton hated the cars potty because if he wasn't sitting all the way back and leaning down a little he would pee over the top of the itty bit guard on it. He went back to the froggy potty and has great success since. Haley like to lean back a little when she potties so she also went back to the froggy potty because it has a back on it. Caitlin however has loved the Safety 1st potty and is the only one she will use. It is more like a regular toilet so her legs aren't spread out and it sits a little higher. So if your LO is struggling with the potty itself, you may want to try a different kind. For boys I highly recommend the froggy potty though. The splash guard is huge and the can use it to hold onto as well. 

Sorry this is so long but hopefully it helped someone. Good luck!