Potty Training HELP! - Glendale Heights, IL

Setting a timer really help both you and your child keep on track. I found when the timer rang there was no fighting or tears when it was time to go into the bathroom...and once we were in there we sat and read books or just talked until the actually went. If you just go and sit for two minutes they don't have time to relax or they know that you will give in after a minute and they will just wet themselves again...most of the time potty training is a battle of the wills, so don't give in and be consistent. Make sure to use plenty of positive reinforcement. I used stickers for #1 and jelly beans for #2 and we had the whole potty training thing licked in 5 weeks.
Start with your daughter and get her going before you start with your son, he is still a bit young and if you don't pressure him he might just decide that this is what he wants to do after watching his sister!
Good Luck!

Sorry, I know this is a late response but I think you just try everything to see what works. Try the reward system, the timer, etc. I've heard boys learn to tinkle easier when there is something to aim at, ie) Cheerios.
When all else fails and from personal experience, back off. I know it's hard, believe me. I was ready to do sticker reward system of some kind and when I finally truely backed off, no telling people in front of them, phone or otherwise, my daughter was potty trained in two weeks. She had known what to do for a while. It took me six more months to realize her diaper was dry every morning. Mine didn't want praise or made a big deal of about it. It is one of the few things that children have control of, total control. This is most likely the first time in there short lives that they have had this control.
Best of luck!

Hi J.,
I just went through a similar situation and to make a long story short, I just started putting them in their underwear and setting a timer for every 1/2 hr. (eventually you can set it for an hour or hour and a half) to try to go on the potty. The first couple of weeks we had plenty of accidents but it's been about 5 weeks now and we rarely have any accidents and they tell me when they have to go potty. It might be too soon for the younger one, so I would concentrate on your older child first and stick with it, I found that it was my lack of being consistent that prolonged the process. We also had a big reward for them when they were fully potty trained, ex: my daughter wants to go to dance class and my son wants a big drum set. These goals helped them to realize that it was up to them if they were going to do it or not. Now I have to buy my 3 yr old son a big drum set, and some earplugs for the rest of us!!!
Good Luck!!

My daughter was so easy, completely trained by 18 months which is very unusual. I used M & M's. 1 for pee, 2 for poop. But she wasn't dry all night until age 2.

My son however was different. He would poop on the potty at age 2 but refused to pee. He was 3 before he was potty trained. (10 before he stayed dry all night but that is another long story) I tried everything but he is the kind of boy that whan he made HIS mind up it was a done deal.

Do both of your children show the signs they are ready? Like waking up from naps dry or waking in the morning dry?
I was a director of a large preschool and day care center for many years. I've talked to many many parents about potty training frustrations. I have found it to be the norm that it is more common from boys to be closer to 3 before they are potty trained. Girls are easier most of the time. Maybe it would be easier on you if you just focused on your daughter for now. Your son may decide he wants to be part of the action just so he can be like his big sister.

Good Luck!
L.

What I did was a potty chart with stickers. As soon as my son Randy got up we went potty then right before or right after lunch we went and then before nap, then before dinner or right after and then just before bed.... I linked it to daily activites to regulate his body. It seems to have worked. It only took us 3 weeks (Feb 08)on a potty chart... He still asks for stickers or stamps but it is worth it to me.. Also he has this little dance when he has to go so I know if we need to go inbetween the usual trips. Good luck I know it is hard.... Let us know how it works out.