Seeking Advice on Potty Training & Teaching a 2 Yr Old to Swim

Dear A.,
I don't know about anything going 'quickly' with kids - but there is a great tip on potty training on
GOMOMMYGO.com:
http://www.gomommygo.com/pottytraining.html
It really worked for my 7 kids!
By the way - Who's in the hurry? Is it you or your husband? I do remember feeling that it seemed to take an armload of forbearance at the time, but each experience made me a more patient person eventually. Don't worry - It will all be over too soon, and then you'll wish you'd taken more time! Take my advice - I'm not using it! My kids are now grown now, and many's the time I wish I could go back and slow down, instead of rushing ahead. Now I realize how important those days were - but you can't go back. Enjoy it while you can! Just think of it as a NEW kind of adventure for you - more important than any travel you will ever do!

R.
Also - Don't worry - every mom feels frustrated at times. No one ever tells you how hard it is going to be. Maybe you just need a little break from the in-laws or some time by yourself. There's nothing wrong with you for needing that! But don't give up - there is light at the end of the tunnel! And tell your husband that TOO!

As far as swimming goes ... there is no quick solution, but ... I put floaties on my daughter last summer when she was near 18 months and she loved them. She became very independent and didn't want me to touch her in the pool any more - she just swims around.

With Pottytraining ... we just put our daughter in panties and that helped a lot. It made things go more quickly, but still, she had to want to. She also liked her potty sitting on the real one because she was a "Big Girl".

Good Luck!

the words quick and effective do not even belong in the same sentance as swimming. I tought swim lessons for almost 10 years. They dont even allow children to go into their own class until they are 3 years old because until then (and even at 3 its to early) they do not have the for-thought to know "if I step of this step I can't touch". There is mommy and me classes your and your daughter can take together, but it will get the familiar with the water, learn how to get out of the pool from the side, and lots of games with going under water for quick seconds. As far as learning to swim, you have at least 2-3 years before that will happen. You are welcome to put floaties or life jacket on, but I personally don't recommend it, its gives the kids a false sence of security, then if they are around a pool with out it they think they can still float. Please be careful. Even when a child knows how to swim they are NEVER safe around a pool. I know you know this already, but I stress this when ever I can.
Potty training, if you daughter is ready could be very quick. My daughter woke up one morning and said I want to wear panties. She did, and has only had 2 accidents ever since then including at night. She has been trained now for a year. With my oldest I took away the diaper at 3 and we had accidents every day for 2 weeks, and several times a week for a month. Same method diffrent children. It all depends on your child.

You don't mention whether you have a pool or not? If so, it's not about swimming, it's about survival. Make her jump in to you and catch her AFTER she goes completely under water. She needs to be comfortable with getting her face wet. Show her how to hold her breath and practice it under water - have her retrieve rings from a the first step and then move them down as she gets better. Practice exhaling and blowing bubbles. Let her play "choo choo" - in the water, holding on to the side, working her way all the way around the pool, and getting to the steps and out. Once she's good at all of these, gently toss her or drop her in (not far from the side) and help/show her to the side, have her choo choo and get out. She should practice this alot! And, if you're in for a short amount of time, practice practice practice. If you're in for a long time, the floaties are perfectly fine. Because she's little, she'll wear out fast and she can't be expected at this young age to maintain the strength to "swim" for long periods of time. I strongly recommend swim lessons - private ones if you can find/afford them! Good Luck!!

A.:
I think your going to be disapointed in the few answers you recieve here.If there were a (QUICK and EFFECTIVE way) to potty train and teach your child to swim,they would have to come up with A new (Pulizer Prize!) There is, no quick way. It's when shes ready.You need patience,understanding,and the ability to provide loving guidance,to help your daughter along her way.If you read on to some of the other requests and responses here,on potty training, you'll find them very helpful.The very best to you and your darlin daughter.

If she wakes up in the morning dry put her on the potty, make her sit their till she goes, you know she can't hold that morning pee forever, after a week of doing this so she gets the hang of the faster I release it the faster I can have breakfast or play. Then go for the all day thing put on the panties and don't use pull-ups at all. Plan to stay at home with her so that she can easily get to the potty. She'll pick it up easy, girls usually do. Don't give in every, if you give in a little she will see that she is in control. After a week of this she should be on her own but reminding her before leaving the house to go anywhere is required they can't hold it as long as us. If she has accidents make her clean them up, us her hand to wash them out when she sees how gross this is she'll stop having accidents.
As for Swimming Lessons, since your in Diamond Bar, Brea has the best swimming classes we found, you can ask for private lessons or a class, but they make the kids swim with their faces in the water,they really push the kids to survive, they don't care if they cry or not but by the end of 2 weeks you'll see a big diffrence. We had my kids go there and weren't happy with other swimming lessons because they didn't push the kids. It helps if you swim alot with her and constantly go over the things the teacher is teaching, don't let her run the class because she doesn't want to get her face wet. Dunk her under with you, sit on the bottom of the pool. You can swim alot faster if your face is in the water. As for Brea, we went their about 5 years ago. Hopefully they are still great teachers. Good Luck! J.

Well the YMCA offers swimming lessons to parents with small children try that one. Also public schools with pools offers classes too. regarding potty training a grirl I am at a lost for I have two boys sorry:(

D. K.