Potty Training Advice - Allen,TX

Hi K.:

There could be a few reasons to why your daughter has stopped wanting to use the potty. One is the baby on the way and the other could be her trying to gain control. Typically around your daughter's age, toddlers want to do what they want to do instead of what Mommy and Daddy want them to do. I had the same issue with my daughter at that age. I decided to do a couple things. First, I just backed off the potty training for a few days and let her decide whether she wanted to wear "big girls" panties or a diaper. After a few days, she went back to wearing panties (because it was finally her decision and she was in control). Then we made a "potty chart". She got a sticker for trying to go potty, going potty, telling me she had to go potty, and washing her hands. The last thing I did is took her to the store and had her pick out a potty seat so she could be like us and use the "big potty". Sometimes just making a little change can make a big difference. After we did those things it only took a couple weeks before she was completely potty trained with no accidents. Hope this helps! Good Luck.

Hello K.,

I have a 2 year old daughter and a 7 month old son. When I was pregnant, I did everything in my power to get my daughter potty trained. She went to a babysitter during the day. The best way to get your daughter in the habit of using the potty is by taking her very often. Start out by taking her and sitting her on the potty every 15 to 20 minutes. I know that sounds like a lot, but it works. Give her some books to look at (her favorites). Always give lots of praise and rewards for using the potty. Do not ever get frustrated and upset with her. Tell her she is a big girl and their are not any diapers. If you have some, use what is left at nighttime. Then when you are almost out, tell her these are last few diapers and she is a big girl. Big girls where pretty panties. Sometimes making her feel like a big girl like mommy helps. Take her to the store and let her pick out her own. My daughter loves Dora, so she loves her Dora panties. Accidents will happen, but be patient.

Good Luck,
B. B

I don't really have any advice for you, but wanted to reassure you that you are not alone. My daughter became interested in the potty at 20 months-- I was not an all excited about that because I also had a 3 month old. Her enthusiasm comes and goes in waves. I really think she has the knowledge to be completely trained, but recently, she has become very "anti-potty". She has even asked to wear diapers instead of Pull-Ups. I don't want to push her, and think that she will go when she is ready. This stage reminds me a lot of adolescents-- they are not really little but not quite grown up, and pre-schoolers are not really babies but are not quite little girls yet either. If you get any great advice, I would love to hear!
Good luck!
A.

My 2 1/2 year old daughter was using the potty at 18 months old. But regressed after a hospital stay (trauma). A good friend told me to not worry about it. When she grows up, no one is going to ask her at what age she was potty trained. And since she most likely won't want to show up at kindergarten in diapers, it's a non-issue. Another friend successfully potty trained her 3 year old daughter by simply putting her in panties and letting nature take its course. The girl figured out quickly that being in wet panties was a real drag and never had an accident again. I guess there are lots of different philosophies and since no 2 kids are alike you have to just follow your heart. Of course I wish my daughter were potty trained but I am just so grateful she is alive after all we went through in the hospital. Potty training is such a little thing compared to that. She'll get back on track. She does go at least once a day. And prefers the "big" potty over those little potty chairs because she likes the sound it makes when she goes.
:-)