Potty Training One w/Special Needs and One with Out

Potty training takes time. I know my first son was speech delayed and he learn at aroung three and half. He went to public school at the time and he was in a program called PPCD you might to check with your school district. It was very helpful having support from others. Right now I'm trying very hard with my three old girl she is very bright but she just would potty train and I'm at my wits ends. I also have a 2 year old but she's not ready either. I am tempted to try to teach them together but when I think about it I feel like I can't do it. My youngest girl is also very small for her age she is 25 months and she only wieghts about 21 pounds. I'm afraid she would fall in. I never used the potty chair. I have anyways used the seat that over the toliet chair, it's more convient and clean IMO.
Good luck
Leti

I am potty training right now also, my son will be two in a month. I think 15-20 minutes is a bit much, they will start to think it is a job and interrupt too much play. I take my son every hour and it he doesn't go on the hour we go 30 minutes after that. I also think that pull-ups are just glorified diapers so I just put him in underwear that he got to pick out. However, we use pull-ups when out in public and naptimes. With two, just take them at the same time and, or if one goes and the other doesn't, take that one back to the bathroom to watch the other being a "big girl" or "big boy".

Good Luck!

Hi C.....my son (3 1/2) also has problems with chronic constipation related to a birth defect and developmental delays. I can totally relate to the inconsistent bowel movement problems you are having with your son. Christopher is not fully trained yet but we have been working on it for the past year. Taking the laxative (miralax) daily helped some, but it causes him to have lots of bowel movements/leakage so now we are back to doing a daily enema in the morning to "clean him out". This works really well for us...it keeps him clean for the most part during the day so that he's not constantly soiling his pull up or underwear. By doing this, I am able to give him a more stable schedule of going to the potty and that seems to be helping a lot. We still have problems with him not being able to feel when he has to go urinate or have a bowel movement, but we're hoping that this will help him to get out of pull ups completely by the time he starts Pre-K in the fall. Also, remember not to feel like you need to rush it...he will be ready when he's ready. Hope this helps and please let me know if I can offer you any other tips!

C.,

The book "Toilet Training in less than a day" has some good tips and includes a section for training children with disabilities. You can find it at most bookstores or online. Your special needs preschool program is a good resource, too. They may have some good advice for you.

My hat goes off to you. Your job is not an easy one. Your kids are blessed to have you.

Best wishes,
S.

Wow, I am impressed you are taking on this task. I don't know if I can help but I take my hat off to you. You may see more success from your non special needs child. Maybe his therapist can give you some suggestions. It may take a while with two trying at the same time. You may find it helpful to make a chart of when they tend to go or have accidents. perhaps you will see a pattern that way you can head to the potty when they typically go. You will also see how far apart their need for toileting is. I had one that was about an hour and a half and one that needed reminding every hour. Set a timer and stay on schedule. especially for your special needs child routine is very important. You may save your sanity by keeping on schedule as well.

I will keep you in my prayers!!!
C.