My daughter will be 3 at the end of December, and she has shown very little interest in using the potty so far. On a few occasions when she protested putting a diaper on, I've let her run around bottomless (dresses make that so easy!), and she successfully "held it" for hours. But inevitably, it would be time to go somewhere or take a nap and the diaper would have to go on. At that point, she would go. But I know she's physically able to hold her pee - it's just a matter of teaching her how to let it come out on demand.
I work full time, but I plan to take most of the week of Thanksgiving off. My question is whether I should spend those 4 days doing a Bye Bye Diapers Potty Party and really push the issue with her, or if I should just wait for her to come around and want to use the potty on her own accord?
Suggestions?
She will potty train herself when she is ready. Just be patient.
Hi C.,
At the age of 3, children are capable of bladder and bowel control. I think you are on the right track. I would not recommend pull ups at all. I found that mine just treated it like a diaper. Go straight to pretty panties!! Take her with you when you go, and 30 min. to hour after she has meals. You may try pouring warm water on her tummy and let it run down which may stimulate urination.
Make a big deal about her being such a "big" girl when she does go!
Hope this helps.
K.
I don't think you can "force" her, but it does sound like she has the general idea. Maybe instead of doing a "party" for her, maybe you conveniently run out of diapers? Maybe have some cute (insert favorite character here) underwear for her as a reward when she goes on the potty?
My kids always did best being naked. Sure there were a few "accidents" but they thought pull ups were MADE to pee in.
I'd fill her up with lots of juice to encourage her need to pee. Then just have her keep sitting on the potty when her tummy is "full". Sing a song, read a book, etc.
Do you have a little potty chair for her or just the seat for the toilet? Some kids think the "big potty" is scary and the flushing noise scares them too. They think they're going to fall in or get sucked down.
We took an old vitamin bottle, I made a POTTY TREATS label with colorful markers and put M&Ms inside. Every time my girls went potty on the seat, they got a 'treat' (just 1). Poop got them 2!
Make sure she "tries" when you "try". I really think modelling behavior is one of the best ways to teach kids. Let her see you go potty, wipe and wash your hands. Even if she tries, but doesn't go, tell her how proud you are of her and wash your hands. My kids LOVED singing silly hand washing songs.
If she "regresses" and doesn't want to use the potty, don't scold her or tell her how upset you are. Just say, "well I guess we're going to have to wait to use the big girl underpants then".
Best wishes
PS I love that you do naked time underneath dresses!
dont let her wear the diaper when u are at home usually a child would use the bathroom 15-20minutes after eating or drinking something and after that its like every 1 1/2 to 2 hours to go pee. u would have to time her and get her to sit on the potty until she goes sometimes because they are stubborn they would hold it and the minute u take them off they do it all over themselves so u will have to be patient with her. it worked 4 all 2 of my kids i use the same method and my 10 month old is almost potty train he cries when he needs to go because it became a daily process for him.
