Potty Training 2 Yr Old Who Doesn't Want to Wear Underwear....

Uh... underwear is not a choice.

I would think if it like this: You wouldn't let her go play in the snow wihtout a coat, don't let her not wear underwear. I'm not saying she would like it, but it's not really up to her, no?

I would lose the diapers. If she begins to sense that there is a choice, she will always pick the ease of diapers. It sounds like she is doing great, just get rid of the diapers in and out of the house and insist on underwear.

If she is a young 2, you might have accidents - that is one of the drawbacks of training them young. But I am guessing that she won't like it and stop soon enought. She seems to have the control, so it's a matter of remembering to get to the potty. The diapers might be confusing her, because she feels the underwear and it feels like a diaper that is dry. You've got to be consistent, monitor her liquid intake, take her to the potty frequently, and always bring a change of clothes.

I also suggest having her help clean-up her accidents. Unfortunately, some kids don't mind and love to help, but some donn't want to, and this can be a big motivator too.

Hi J.,
My son who is 2 1/2 was the same way - great with the potty without anything on but would go in the diaper or unfortunately in his underwear. I think he thought if anything was on his butt it was ok to go. I think what finally worked was a combination of offering the underwear, reinforcement of having to go in the potty, and being around an older (3 yr old) cousin. If he peed in his underwear I would change him and put underwear on again. If he wet again I put underwear on again (if he didnt want it I didnt push - just put on a pullup). So obviously the downside is alot of washing but I think it helped in the long run. If he did go in his clothes I would remind him we pee in the potty not in underwear. He also spent a day with his older cousin who is potty trained and he wanted to be a "big boy" like him so I think that helped. He has occasional accidents and wakes up dry most mornings and stays dry all day. Now He often goes to the potty on his own without telling me he needs to go. I recently ventured out into underwear while going out it so and far its been ok. Potty training was probably the hardest thing I have had to do thus far (besides stopping tantrums:)so be patient - before you know it she will be going like a champ!

Hi J.,

Sorry I don't have advice on the underwear other than taking her shopping and letting her pick out some that she likes and making a big deal of it. That's what I recently did with my 2yr. daughter but I haven't pushed wearing them yet, just occasionally. We’re also doing the “naked while at home” bit and she has been good about using the potty, just like your daughter. Anyway, just a tip for those car rides, once you stop putting the diapers on: To save your car seat from getting soaked from accidents, put one of those waterproof lap pads on the bottom. I do that now just as a precaution for leaks. It sure saves you from having a stinky seat and having to try and wash it out. Good luck with the potty training. It sounds like she’s off to a great start! :)

N.

You started like I did with my little boy. Kept him naked until he got the whole idea. Now he is almost 3 and potty trained. I am so happy because when the new arrival comes in October I will only need to buy one set of diapers. Any ways I would get her underware that she is into. Like Dora or something she really likes. For the longest time my son had no undies or diapers on at home and when we left I would have to put them on because of him not letting me know he had to go. It took a good long prosses and it lasted about 6 months we went from nop undies to undies at home only to wearing pull ups when we leave to wearing undies when we leave. Hope that helps you some! Happy Pottoy traing

I don't know the full importance of having to wear underwear. However, if she is going to be in a dress, she'll need to have at least some shorts on. Its it all clothing that she has trouble with or just underwear. If it is just underwear, then I don't see the harm in her just wearing shorts or pants without.
M.