HELP!!!! POTTY TRAINING

Just another tip:

When accidents happen:

Never scold or punish a child. I also wouldn't ask the child to help clean up the mess (unless the child is really keen to help and offers help themselves). It can be very distressing for them when they do have accidents. Incorrect potty training methods can cause emotional damage to the developing child that can last a lifetime. Therefore it is best if the parent has a very relaxed attitude when accidents do happen. I know this is tough when you have scrubbed the carpet for the 5th time that day. When accidents do happen make sure that your body language communicates that "it is okay". You can verbally affirm saying "you are still learning to use the potty/toilet, I know you will learn in time".

I knew my LG was "ready" to train when she started telling me that she needed to go to the potty/toilet. That was only around age 3 years and 5 months! Before that she NEVER indicated that she needed to go. I think that is a very important sign of readiness which indicates the link between brain and urge of needing to go, has developed which is necessary for successful training. The fact that you can put a child on a potty/toilet and the child happens to go does not indicate readiness.

Here is a list of readiness that might help:

Signs of Readiness Checklist

Physical Readiness

- Child can stay dry for longer periods of time, or overnight
- Child knows the feelings that signal he/she needs to use the bathroom
- Child can pull down own pants, and pull them up
- Child can get him or herself to the toilet

Mental and Language Readiness

- Child can follow simple directions
- Child can point to wet or soiled clothes and ask to be changed
- Child pays attention to the physical signals even when she is doing something else (a challenge for many children, which is why accidents are so common)
- Child knows the words for using the toilet, and can tell an adult when he/she needs to go
- Child has asked to wear grown-up underwear

Emotional Readiness

- Child seeks privacy when going in diaper
- Child shows interest in using the toilet-may want to put paper in and flush it
- Child shows curiosity at other people’s toilet habits
- Child has decided he/she wants to use the toilet
- Child is not afraid of the toilet

I can second what Deja says with regards to seeing an older child using the toilet. I think this is one of the reasons why my LG struggled too. She didn't have regular exposure to this, because at school there is strict privacy when children go to the toilet.

My girl never cared for wet or dirty nappies - it just never bothered her much, probably why there wasn't much incentive for her to give it up!

In the end I can say she was potty trained by 3 years and 8 months. She is still sleeping with a night nappy (she just turned 4 now) and I am not stressed about it at all.

Stickers and rewards charts loses its novelty quite fast. Having control over your bowels and bladder is a milestone each person must do for himself and not for a parent or to be able to go to a specific school that requires potty trained children.

Hi Missy,

We had a fairly difficult time training my LG and I think it is because I had this idea that she should have been trained by 3 years old. This is simply rubbish, because children are emotionally ready at different times. I knew this, yet I started putting her in panties though she was really not keen on the idea 80% of the time. I should have left her in nappies (pull ups are good but pricey if you are training for 18 months...). If I would do it again I would follow this articles advice:

www.ahaparenting.com/ask-the-doctor-1/ho...ed-in-potty-training

I believe now that the emphasis should be "when you are ready my child" and not "when I think you should be ready". Big difference in approach. I think there is a fear that If you follow this approach it might feel as if you are not giving enough encouragement. But having been through the process I can see that even subtle pressure from a parent backfires.

I know there comes a time when you feel: "will you ever be trained" but believe me when they are "ready" everything falls in place like magic.

Good luck!

She's definitely not too young.
Theoretically some kids can be potty trained from as early as 18 months as that's when the physical ability to control those muscles gets developed. But in reality most children potty train between the ages of 2-3 years, many only around 2.5 years old.

So she definitely isn't too young and is also definitely old enough to understand what it's all about.

It sounds like she has an emotional block against wee'ing in a potty and wearing panties.
I'm not entirely sure of the conversational skills of a 3 year old, but could you ask her why she doesn't want to wear panties? And why she doesn't want to sit on the potty.
Maybe she's scared of it for some reason. It might seem like an irrational fear to us as adults but maybe there is something about it all that scares her and if you can find out what you might be able to help her overcome those fears.

On the panty side you coudl start by using pull ups. They're still technically a nappy but can be pulled up and down like a panty. Not sure what to suggest regarding the potty though.

Hi Ladies,

Please advise from what age is good to potty train? I know all kids are different.

My lg will be 3 yrs olds this month and blatantly refuses to wear a panty and to wee in a potty. She knows all about the toilet, panties etc etc. And she'll make comments that she wee's in a potty which she obviously doesn't and when i attempt to put a panty on for her she cries and says NO she will put it on tomorrow.

Is she still too yoing? Any other ideas to get her interested? I am very worried as i only have 6 months to fully potty train her as the school shes going to next year doesn't allow nappies.... All advise welcome.... Help