Potty training – again

I have to confess that I had two kids reading before they were successfully out of diapers.  I had struggles, too, and finally decided that it just wasn’t working for us.  I bought him underwear, took him into his room, showed him where I put them in his dresser, and told him to come tell me when he wanted to switch.  So that’s what we did.  All of my kids were 4 before they decided.  I didn’t talk about it, I didn’t push, I didn’t nag, I didn’t point out how all their friends were in big boy pants.  I just waited until that day came where one would say ” I want my big boy pants” and then that was it.  We put them on, tossed the diapers, that was it.  I figured why stress over how old they were?  It wasn’t like I was putting them in daycare or anything.  They were home with me.  I’d just wait, myself.  I see no real reason why it has to be that magic 3 (or worse, the magic 2).  One thing–most of my relatives thought I was NUTS.  They were convinced I was raising permanent babies.  LOL  If I turned my back, THEY started nagging the poor kids.  It was even worse than the baby I decided to let him decide when to wean and he nursed until he was almost 2.  (The relatives were aghast at that one too–they were convinced I was doomed to breastfeed teens or something.) 

In my opinion, if he made a couple days, even with alot of coaxing, he IS ready.  It sounds like a control issue. (not bladder control, but who is in charge.  I would put a little radio and his favorite CD in the bathroom.  Every 20 to 30 minutes take him in and tell him he HAS to sit through 2 songs.  At that point it is not a potty issue but an obedience issue…..if any.

Potty training IS exhausting.  You think it will NEVER end.  BUT then it does!  Hang in there.  There will be accidents for the forst 6 months or so.  Don’t give up.  Show him that you are confident he is capable.  (he has already proven that to you!)  Diapers do not feel wet when the child is wearing them so they are not uncomfortable. 

I think you can.  If your child can go more than an hour without an accident it’s time to be on the potty.  For us it’s more about me then them.  Mine are all started about 16-18months with basic sit before bath, bed, etc.  We at about 12 months move all diaper changing into the bathroom and after wiped sit on pot and talk about peeing there.  They obviously don’t do anything at 12 months.

If you go back and forth (mind you I said back and forth) it will confuse the child.  So either be patient and wait a bit longer a month or two or more or stick it out.

I have always done and it works for all 6 kids at the point, youngest being 2.5, with the cold water.  What that is, is this.  Go about day, take to potty when they want and do many suggestions.  BUT if they pee in there pants and of course need to be washed down they go in my washtub and get washed off with cold water.  Either splasing on legs or fill it up and sit them down.  wash, soap and rinse.  It has only take my one son the longest with 2.5 days of this to figure out the staying dry also ment staying warm!!  The hose in the summer is the best !!

That’s how I do it.  But like I said or should say I HATE diapers.  Also, this is also only for waking hours.  I will do night time differently being I will let them wear diapers longer.  I will not start to train that one till about 4. 

Everyone is different in this and  you have to do what works for you and your dh.  Talk it out and then get a plan!  Good luck

time outs work for some.  a swat to the rear works for others.  putting my daughter in time out when she was young was a joke–it was very very stressful…she would not stay.  period.  I wasn’t going to tie her there.  putting her back a million times for getting out didn’t work–many times i couldn’t even get her there–she was a wild physical octopus…was i going to give her another ineffectual time out for the breaking of the first time out?  time out did not work because i had not yet established my authority.  time out works for my boys–cause they know if they get down from the chair or off the spot, a swat on the rear is the consequence and they trust me on this.  my daughter does now too.  just food for thought.  my friend had a child who when her mother sent her to time out…she saw that the cushion they used had fallen behind the couch…the child went around the back of the couch fished out the cushion and sat on it till her mother came for her.  She and my child were the same age…her mother stated the occurrence matter of factly…my mouth hung open.  my friend helped me here…she said but my child and your child are not the same.  time outs are not working for your child…do something different!

You’ll figure it out–the what works for you and yours!

God Bless,

jo 

LOL!