Potty Training - Rockford,MI

I think it's become a power struggle. You started way too early. I made this mistake with my first dtr and she wasn't fully trained till 4! She's a very smart physician now! I'd put her in charge of it with an attitude that you don't really care that much. Take extra clothes etc. when you go out and just be very neutral. She knows you want this but she wants to proved she's in charge. It's her body, it's her embarrassment and at this age, it can be her problem. She can't have a power struggle by herself.

Stop using pull-ups.

I don't have a magic answer for you, but it sounds like you've tried LOTS of things and possibly that is the problem.

I'd suggest going without diapers and pull ups. Yes its going to be messy and could take a while, but as long as she has a pull up to use, she will use it. I know lots of kids in kindergarten that still use these things, so "growing out of it" doesn't seem to happen quickly. She is 3, she's totally capable and a diaper is a crutch. She knows she can hold it until she gets one, this is bad because it will induce bladder infections and constipation.

Whatever you choose to do, stick with it for the long term. She sounds strong willed, and if she thinks she can outsmart you or wear you down she'll do it (believe me, i have one of my own). Lots of different methods work, some work quicker for certain kids, but in most cases they all do work. So you just have to pick something and stick with it.

Best wishes!

your putting too much into it. She knw what she has to do. So blow her off and tell her she will not be able to do certain things like school, Dancing, Soccer, etc if she does not become a big girl. When she decides she is going to than she can do it. My one daughter was potty trained by 2 the other one she refused to go till she was 3 in a half and now my 4th daughter is the same as yours at almost 4( will be 4 in sept) she won't go. Knows but won't. Its up tpo them when they want to go. If you push it. She will rebell more. good luck

Everything I've heard about potty training says to stay positive and tell kids "it's ok" when they have an accident, and "tell mommy next time". Keep a timer, and get her to the potty every hour. Do potty boot camp for a few days & stay home so that she can get on the potty after each hour. Yes, I've also heard panties are best, no pullups when it's time to get serious. Our potty training was a long process. We did presents, candy, everything. I was at my wits end many times, but we're finally there, with only a few accidents now & then. Let her pick out the new panties at the store. Try some potty videos with her favorite characters. Have you heard of the potty tots? We won a kit from them, and they have a pretty cute video. Just google "potty tots" for the site. There were definitely times when I felt like we were going backwards and wanted to give up, but I tried my best to stay positive, and I'm happy that we've made it! You'll be there soon! Good luck!

I guess I am confused as to how she was potty trained at such an early age? She was actually telling you when she had to go then all of a sudden she decides she is ok with dirty underwear? How did you train her the first time? My son trained very quickly but I waited until he was almost 3 to start anything at all. First I gave him chips for just sitting there. Then if he went he would get a gummy treat. Then he got poop trained first but would still have a pee accident at home every few days since he knew I would clean him right away. I told him that if he told me when he had to go pee and had no accidents then he could get a toy. We also got him Thomas underwear which he loves. If he would have an accident, I told him that Thomas doesn't like to get peed on and he would get no toys. My son naturally doesn't like to be dirty so that helped. I only bought him a few toys for about a week or two but that was what got us fully trained.

I'm in the beginning of a potty training "boot camp" this weekend. This, after a month of potty training that began well but became a power struggle. My 3 year old is definitely strong willed and in a rebellious stage - not just with potty training, but also going to bed.

Anyway, I'm trying what a friend did. I have the sticker chart up. Every time she goes to the potty, she gets a sticker. Every two stickers, she gets to choose an item from our bag of "treasure." (She watches "Jake and the Neverland Pirates" so treasure is a big deal.)

I just picked up cheap kid things at Target - placemats, sticker books, playdoh, music CD, bubble bath, vitamins, etc. - wrapped all of them up and put them in a gift bag that is in the bathroom.

Today is only the first day and it's going great. However, I plan on doing this for the next three days, through Memorial Day, and then crossing my fingers that she's used to being in underwear all day long and going on the potty only by then. I'm going to tell her on Memorial Day that if she stays dry all day she can go to Target with me and pick out her own bicycle helmet (something I needed to buy her anyway and that she totally wants). I might do this with swim socks that I need to buy her anyway too.

Good luck and hang in there. I definitely would recommend backing off of potty training for a week or two (I stopped a week and a half ago in an effort to take the pressure off and be able to approach it positively again during this weekend bootcamp). The back off is more for your sanity and peace - you need a break too!

First Kudos for starting early, My oldest started at 1 and 1/2 and was trained in no time I believe earlier is easier. My only advice is don't stress it will come when ur least expecting.

I wonder when you start too young if it just becomes a daily routine to wet and mess their pants. And wearing pullups is a big mistake. They are just slip on diapers and it teaches them it's ok to wet in them. I think she's not ready, doesn't really understand what the big deal is and has no plan to change yet. So, back to diapers, and wait. Then when she really shows signs of wanting to stay dry and go in the toilet, let her, and no rewards. Just praise. Being consistant doesn't mean trying something new every few weeks. I count 8 different things you tried in less than 18 months. It is frustrating. And when it's this frustrating for this long it's a sign you need to wait.

How long did you try not trying? Maybe you just need a break for a couple months. I would look for a potty training book for strong-willed children and see if that helps. With all the different rewards, maybe she thinks it's a game. She may not be because she's only 3 but it's a possibility from what I've read about potty training and physical rewards (not praise).

Was she really ready at 1 and 1/2 to start training or did you decide to just start initiating it? Because sometimes the earlier you start before they are ready, the longer it takes - if they are truly ready, there is no reason for it to take this long. We didn't start with my daughter until she was 3.5 because she really had no interest in it before then. Once she was showing signs of being dry for several hours at a time (including overnight) we started with just taking the diapers away and telling her she was going to have to try going on the potty now. It only took her a couple of days to get the hang of it and within a couple of weeks, she was going all on her own (#1 that is...#2 has not been as consistent). What I am suggesting is that she really was not ready in the first place and maybe she still isn't. I would not do pull-ups any longer because they are too confusing. I would take a break for a while, put her back in diapers, and maybe try again in a few months if she is able to stay dry for longer periods of time.