What are your tips for getting a stubborn toddler to potty train?
both of my kids were slow to potty train and I was wondering what tricks/tips other parents had that finally convinced their little ones to give the potty a try
My "baby" is 3 & 1/2 right now and he just isn't interested yet. I try not to get uppity about it because if he knows how much it matters to me he'll dig his heels in even more. Any "magic" tricks any of you tried that worked ?
We had a hard time with our daughter - then rented a bathroom movie from the library and it took no time at all. The movie was cheesy as all get out, but it worked.
We had a book our children liked to read at bedtime and seemed to help. One thing I know is that kids don't like to be "messy". Near the end (after standard potty techniques for awhile) we would take off our child's diaper and make them wear underwear. Inconvenient for us? Yes, for a week or 2, but in all 3 cases it was smooth sailing after. A couple tough weeks for a lifetime of proper pottying. Good luck.
Try switching to cloth diapers. They are bulky and uncomfortable. A cool potty chair with a book rack and T.P. holder might also be encouraging. Don't forget the potty books and the big kid pants.
Ugh... Potty training! My son is 3.5 and we were having the hardest time! It was work and my husband and I both work, which made it even more difficult when it came to potty training. I tried everything from color dye in the toilet to books... you name it!!
A few things that worked:
1. Consistency - schedule a time when you have him go to the bathroom.
- I discovered my son would always have an accident around 9am, anticipate it and be proactive. Get him to the toilet!
2. Accidents will happen - Let him wear underwear when he's home. Accidents will happen, but the diapers nowadays are so good, that kids pee their pants and don't feel a thing!
- On long trips or out and about, he should wear pull ups until he's ready!
3. Reward System - find out what he really enjoys. My son has been wanting to go to Chuck-E-Cheese forever! (not sure why, but hey!) Get a picture of the place or the toy he really wants and make a chart.
- I made a chart with a ladder and got a picture of him and taped it to a popsicle stick. Everytime he pees in the potty he goes up one step, for poop in the potty, he goes up three. If he has an accident, he goes down 3. He has 21 steps to get up. If he reaches the top! He can have the prize.
4. Praise - Of course, everytime he goes pee or poop, he's going to want to share it with you. Make a REALLY BIG DEAL about it! and make sure to call grandma, or auntie to rave about it!
Good luck... it's not easy! but it will happen.
This idea worked for me, my daughter is 3.8 yrs and i just told her that Santa Clause will give her drawing books and different toys, the very first day was very difficult but after that when i gave her the drawing book she just got trained.
Great idea! You could also call it the "Potty Fairy" or something other than Santa Claus, otherwise she might start thinking that if she holds out learning something long enough "Santa" can come any time of the year and give her presents.
See my answer to "Potty training tips for toddler who goes every 2 minutes?".
It's not necessary, I don't think, to wait until the kid is interested: diapers are expensive (or messy to deal with, if you use cloth), and should start being phased out at an early age. Potty training in the US has gotten out of control; kids can be potty trained at fairly early ages whether they show interest or not. You can create interest by taking them to the toy/children's store and being very excited about helping THEM choose a big-kid potty for potty training. Hype it up, let them make the choice no matter how young they are, and you'll probably see a very motivated kid. Also, make sure they use diapers that make them feel uncomfortably wet, so they're motivated to learn how to go potty like the big kids.
Check out a copy of the old classic "Dr. Spock's Baby and Child Care" (I think that's the title) for more tips and advice.
by Peeples 11 years ago
Potty training tips for toddler who goes every 2 minutes?Today is day 3 of no diapers for my 24 mth old. The only problem (which is really a good thing in a way) is she wants to go every 2 minutes it seams. She has literally gone 15 times in the 2 hours she's been up. While it's good it is time...
by Moon Willow Lake 10 years ago
What are some ideas on how to potty train a toddler?
by Jami Johnson 11 years ago
Does anyone have potty training tips?I have a two year old that is pretty stubborn about potty training. She loves imitating me, and sits on her potty, even pretends to wipe, but when I go to pull her pants down she freaks out and screams "no, no, no mama". Are there any tips or tricks...
by Beingbbw 12 years ago
How do you know your toddler who can tell you everything is ready to potty train?how do you figure out if your toddler who knows his words and can say almost everything apart from when he's pee'd or pooped himself is ready to potty train? He insists pee and poo goes on the floor or in the nappy and...
by Aloe Kim 12 years ago
What method of potty training worked best for your boy?My son has some OCDs so having him go naked bottom worked instantly. Granted I didn't even try potty training him until after he turned 2.
by csd1509 13 years ago
best way to "potty" train, my girl (2.5 years old)
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