Potty Training Advice for a 3Yr Old

I had the same issue with my now 7 year old daughter and I really let it stress me out. I found that it became a battle of wills - or a control issue. I found that focusing on the fact that there was no way she would be in college still wearing diapers - HA (This image worked for me, what can I say?) - I was able to let go of some of the control. Sure enough, she was not only potty trained before she turned 3 1/2, but was able to go through the night without even a pull-up, and through most days with only a rare accident. In the end it was worth the wait and worth deciding to be patient. We ended up being in a better place than most of my friends even though she trained late, she was completely trained :) Good Luck!

My daughter is just as stubborn. We went on a 9 hour drive to visit her grandparents stopping several times for potty breaks. She not only refused to use the potty, but we had a pull-up on her which she didn't use. When I don't push her she does just fine. Sometimes it just takes them a long time to relax on the potty and empty the bladder fully.

We don't use a pull-up or diaper at nap or rest time. We do use one at night because she is a heavy sleeper. We have three to four times a day when it is just 'sit on the potty time', after wake-up, after lunch, before her bath and before bed. I read her a book or three while she sits and if she goes she goes. This seemed to help a lot. Expect accidents because kids this age can get so intense about their play time. I usually make potty-time transition time so she doesn't feel like she is missing out on anything. I also ask her about every 1 1/2 to 2 hours if she needs to go and accept whatever answer she gives. I think not making such a big deal helps.

Now that I don't push she doesn't feel like she needs to exert her own type of control.

Hey B.,
Try sitting her in the bathroom and running the water. You also find out that it works for you as well.

I was so lucky with DD's potty training, that I have no experience to share in dealing with potty training at 3 years, but, is your daughter really smart? Really curious? At 3 years old, my daughter had been in panties only for quite some time, but would just hold it until I MADE her go to the potty. We simply explained to her that it wasn't healthy to hold the urine in her bladder for a long period of time. When she went potty and the urine had a yellow color to it, we explained to her that it was darker yellow and had a scent because it had been in her bladder too long. We even told her that if someone holds their bladder too long, it can make them sick. Maybe just being honest with her as to the reasons why she should go as soon as she feels the urge would work.

B.,
Quit putting her in a diaper. Let her feel how uncomfortable it is if she wets down her leg and in her shoes. Don't scold her when she does, just say, it's OK, next time we will pee in the potty. She'll get the drift. I potty trained my 3 yr old in 5 days with one accident and no night wetting. We woke her up a few hours after we put her down and took her to the bathroom. In one week, she was even able to go to the zoo. Don't use pull ups either.

I have a son who is now three, and is now trained but had just turned three before he wanted anything to do with it. My advise, don't push her, she will when shes ready, but what helped my son, was my grandson, who is also three, and was potty trained early, he went in with him to go to the bathroom and from then on..hes done...he hasn't had an accident or anything since he trained himself, actually,....let us know how its going, but i wouldn't be too concerned at this point.

I also am having issues with my 3 year old boy. We have to use pull ups because he doesn't tell us he has to go poop. He will just crawl under the dining room table and go, or go to his room and go. We ask him every 2 hrs if he has to go potty and he will stay dry all day, until he goes poop.....I am not pushing it, had the same trouble with my twin boys and they decided at 3 1/2 they wanted to wear power ranger underwear all the time and they just decided to do it themselves. I fought them 12 years ago and decided with this one I will not fight him. They will do it in their own time, but go to Webmd.com, they might have some ideas I know I get good ones for my babies ear infections... With him he has felt that discomfort and it does not phase him one little bit!!! It works with some but not with all.

I know everyone says when they're ready, they'll go and not to force it. I agree because my daughter proved it! Anyway I would definitely stop using diapers before her nap and bedtime. After using undies and no diapers, my daughter did not like to feel wet when she would go a little in her undies, so she would stop her self from going completely in her undies. I also bribed her with toys! We went to Target, where she picked out her toy and was very excited, then I said she couldn't have it until she potties on the toilet. Maybe it would work if use the toy idea before she goes to nap and she can have it, if she doesn't potty in her undies.