Potty training opinions

lilmejo · February 2014

Ok so we started slowly potty training DS around 2 and by slowly I mean occasionally sitting him on the potty and understanding pee/poop. Then about a month ago I started seeing all this talk about this three-day potty training technique. There are 4 other babies that we see regularly all born in the span of two months, that this method worked for. So I decided when I was home for a three day weekend to give it a shot. At first things were good, a few accidents here or there, but by the 5th day (2 days back at the babysitters) he had been dry all day! Flash forward a week and we're right back where we were before the three day training. He is wet everytime we try to take him to the potty (but will still pee on the potty) and not at the babysitters but at home, he is fighting us to sit on the potty. When we ask him why he doesnt want to go, he says I want to play. Babysitter said in her opinion he's not ready yet. My feeling is I know every child is different I've been hearing that since he was born, but why would be have done so well and then seem to have given up. Has this happened with anyone and if so, did you take a break from training or keep steady. And how long did it take?

JENandJEH · February 2014

I would agree with your sitter and lay off for awhile. My oldest was like that...we tried to potty train a few times, starting around 2.5 and he did great for a day or so and then it was like he had amnesia and couldn't remember what a potty was. We stopped, waited until he was ready (it took until 3y3m) and he potty trained in a day. No accidents, no issues at all. We didn't have to remind him, he would stop playing, run to the bathroom and potty.

Whatever you do, don't turn it into a battle or a negative experience for him.

laurel22 · February 2014

I agree with PP. You really have to wait until the child shows that he/she is ready. For us, DS suddenly started saying that he wanted to use the potty. Up until then, we had very little luck with him showing even the slightest interest. I think the 3-day training thing can work IF the child is ready for it. However, when I read through the plan, it seemed very "reward-based" to me, which can often cause relapses when the rewards aren't there anymore.

ThatWasAHoot · February 2014

It worked for my son at 2 years and 2 months. He just turned 3 and we've had no issues. I am a SAHM, though, and was able to be very diligent with it.

LinnyAnne10 · February 2014

I tried starting LO about 2 and half.. he was interested at first, but then he lost interest and didn't want to interrupt his play.. this went on for about 10 months. he literally waited to use the potty full time, just two weeks ago, a week after Daddy got back from deployment, and now has mastered the pooping on the just this week.

I had tried stickers, cars, prizes, nothing worked. until He decided he was ready. and once he decided that we stopped with the pull ups and straight underwear. Haven't looked back since. When he has to go, he stops what he is doing and takes off for the bathroom, yelling Mom come help me pee!

For the pooping it took (sad to say this) taking away the video games to earn it he has to poop that day in the potty. And he also gets a new monster truck (his obsession, we bought 5 of them off the monster jam website) Those are his prizes for pooping in the potty. If he doesn't poop in the potty and in his underwear, he lost playing video game. It took a few days but it just clicked the last four days.. So We got one last truck and after that, if he asked I'll tell him that if he stays accident free for 1 week, he will get to choose a prize at the store. We'll see how it goes then!

I'd take a break and maybe see if he will do it himself. It just might

JENandJEH · February 2014

ArmyMomMom10 said:

I tried starting LO about 2 and half.. he was interested at first, but then he lost interest and didn't want to interrupt his play.. this went on for about 10 months. he literally waited to use the potty full time, just two weeks ago, a week after Daddy got back from deployment, and now has mastered the pooping on the just this week.

I had tried stickers, cars, prizes, nothing worked. until He decided he was ready. and once he decided that we stopped with the pull ups and straight underwear. Haven't looked back since. When he has to go, he stops what he is doing and takes off for the bathroom, yelling Mom come help me pee!

For the pooping it took (sad to say this) taking away the video games to earn it he has to poop that day in the potty. And he also gets a new monster truck (his obsession, we bought 5 of them off the monster jam website) Those are his prizes for pooping in the potty. If he doesn't poop in the potty and in his underwear, he lost playing video game. It took a few days but it just clicked the last four days.. So We got one last truck and after that, if he asked I'll tell him that if he stays accident free for 1 week, he will get to choose a prize at the store. We'll see how it goes then!

I'd take a break and maybe see if he will do it himself. It just might

My oldest waited until his dad came home from a deployment to potty train. All it took was DH coming home, waiting a few weeks then taking DS into the bathroom and saying, "this is how big boys use the potty" and that was it. Congrats on having your hubby home!

ashiscute · February 2014

It doesn't sound like he's ready. I know it's frustrating but trying to force it will only make the process more difficult for both of you. He has to want to be dry and using the potty.

Take a break for a month or two and then try again.

TiffanyBerry · February 2014

Physically ready and mentally ready are two totally different things.

Sounds like he's not mentally ready. You'll both enjoy the process much more if he's mentally ready.

Also, you can keep a little potty near where he plays, so he has that option.

LinnyAnne10 · February 2014

JENandJEH said:

ArmyMomMom10 said:

I tried starting LO about 2 and half.. he was interested at first, but then he lost interest and didn't want to interrupt his play.. this went on for about 10 months. he literally waited to use the potty full time, just two weeks ago, a week after Daddy got back from deployment, and now has mastered the pooping on the just this week.

I had tried stickers, cars, prizes, nothing worked. until He decided he was ready. and once he decided that we stopped with the pull ups and straight underwear. Haven't looked back since. When he has to go, he stops what he is doing and takes off for the bathroom, yelling Mom come help me pee!

For the pooping it took (sad to say this) taking away the video games to earn it he has to poop that day in the potty. And he also gets a new monster truck (his obsession, we bought 5 of them off the monster jam website) Those are his prizes for pooping in the potty. If he doesn't poop in the potty and in his underwear, he lost playing video game. It took a few days but it just clicked the last four days.. So We got one last truck and after that, if he asked I'll tell him that if he stays accident free for 1 week, he will get to choose a prize at the store. We'll see how it goes then!

I'd take a break and maybe see if he will do it himself. It just might

My oldest waited until his dad came home from a deployment to potty train. All it took was DH coming home, waiting a few weeks then taking DS into the bathroom and saying, "this is how big boys use the potty" and that was it. Congrats on having your hubby home!

Thanks! We are so happy he is home..

I think for the next one. I will let kid decide when he/she is ready. I tried forcing the issue, and it was no go.. and I would probably skip the pull ups then too.. I think it just made the whole process longer.

Lara0802 · February 2014

this happened exactly to us. We did the 3 day method and DD was awesome. For a few weeks, she rarely had any accidents, and then all of a sudden, she started having accidents all the time (just with pee, though). Then, she got sick for 3 days, and it was over. Since then, we have struggled with it and we've let her take the lead. She still tells me when she has to go #2, and sometimes (maybe 50%) when she has to go #1. We have encouraged her with candy, stickers, whatever, and it's not working. So, I know she's just not ready yet.

I'd say let him take the lead for a while. Maybe wait a month or two and see what happens. I plan on trying again next month when we have some time.

bluejetta · February 2014

We had this happen. I was planning to give the 3 day method a try. DD was fighting diapers so we got the potty out. She sat a lot but didn't do anything for a couple weeks and then lost interest so we opted to skip the plan and wait it out a few more months. We still talk about potties and underpants and offer to let her sit (or do so when she requests a turn) but she clearly doesn't seem interested in getting out of diapers yet. She'll be 2.5 next month and maybe by summer we have more luck.

JuneMrs · February 2014

When your LO is ready it will be a very easy process. If you fight it you will only cause yourself grief and risk delaying the process.

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