We're beginning phase one of "Operation Potty Train" this week. Our mission: to finally say, "Good riddance!" to $35 boxes of Huggies Size 6. After months of hinting, looking at an ugly plastic potty chair and regular showings of "I Can Go Potty," Liliana recently became interested in putting the numbers where they belong.
(Cue the chorus)
Halleluiah!
It seems that this may be our opportunity to finally reach this elusive milestone. So far, the mission has resembled fireworks. It started with a bang, but quickly fizzled out.
Monday Liliana had two successful rounds of #1 and #2 on the big porcelain chair, with a soft Backyardigans attachment to prevent her from going swimming. She initiated both potty successes (thus kicking off our mission).
Yesterday was a different story. We wanted to go for the gusto, so we changed things up. We started with a pull up diaper to make it easier for her to take care of business. Apparently it felt too much like a regular diaper, because the thing was wet and yellow--despite reminders at 30-minute intervals.
Next we tried undies. The first go 'round, she started to pee and caught herself midstream. After successfully finishing the deed on the potty, we stuck with the strategy. Less than 20 minutes later, she came running in my direction, leaving an unpleasant trail of wetness in her path. When I finished taking care of her soggy pants, I found (the hard way) that the sofa was the original scene of the crime. Into the bath went Liliana, and into the laundry went two pairs of pants (hers and mine).
After that, I thought it best to reinstate Monday's blueprint for success. I put her diaper back on, reminded her to use the potty and took away the pressure. The result: nothing, nada, zilch. Today has been just the same.
A side note: We tried potty-training about six weeks ago, and it seemed that Liliana hadn't mastered the ability to "hold it" for any reasonable length of time. She tinkled every time she had the urge--at least five times in the first two hours. After covering the floor with pee, we realized that she wasn't ready.
So, now we have a dilemma. Do we abort mission and wait for her to show more signs of readiness? Do we go back to undies and let the pee fall where it may? While I want this to happen when she's ready, I also don't want to miss the golden opportunity. Seasoned parents, you are welcome to provide feedback and tricks of the trade!
5 comments:
Oh Ramona,
If Liliana wasn't three, I'd definitely tell you to wait. In my mom's many years of childcare experience, she said two year olds always had accidents. Since she is three, here's my advice:
Do what you feel is right, and stick to it. Be consistant. I've heard some parents say that they liked summer time better because there are fewer clothes to mess up and you can spend lots of time outside.
We used pull-ups, but only when going on the toilet was more normal than not. Mostly we used them at night after the daytime "goings" were mastered. If you don't want messes, just use diapers and set the timer for every hour. Spend lots of time there, even if she doesn't "need" to go. I wouldn't make her cry through it though. It's a battle you can't win! (Chris and I disagree on this one.)
We struggled with Natalie. She was completely trained by the time she was 4 (I think). But it took a long time, not fun. She was scared to poop in the toilet for a while, so she would hold it forever and ever to the point where her stomach hurt.
Lauren, on the other hand, was two and a half and trained herself. That's the way to do it! I really didn't do anything, except maybe in the first few days try to catch her in the act and remind her to go. She did the poop first, then the "water" (I know, this is what the Snells call it. They call poop "sheewy" - which I refuse to do. It's poop. That's it!)
Anyway, enough potty talk for now. Best wishes to you!
Love,
Lori
My daughter is also 3 and we are working very hard on potty training her. I will share a few things that have really helped us have more successes than no.
(1) DO NOT USE pullups except for naptime and overnight. They will only prolong the potty training!
(2) Letting her go naked from the waist down and giving her easy, easy access to a potty chair that she can sit on when she feels the need worked wonders! We put one in the kitchen/family room/play room area in such a way that she has privacy from any non-family members but can easily access it.
(3) Sticker chart for everytime that she pees or poops in the big girl potty.
(4) Skittles or M&M's for everytime
(5) Making sure that I take her to the potty chair at the following times. She MUST sit even if she does not need to go.
Wake in the morning
5-10 min. after eating and or drinking
Every 15 minutes between eating times.
Before we leave the house
When we return to the house
Before naptimes
After naptime
Before bed time
(6) We have a potty chair that we keep in the van for those times when we are unable to find a bathroom
(7) Portable potty insert that goes to church, preschool, shopping etc.
(8) Peepee pennies that go into her piggy bank. We are now at the stage that if she refuses to sit when I ask her to do so, Mommy gets penny from her piggy bank as we are also working on attitude and screaming when she does not want to do something.
We have been at this for a LONG, LONG time because when she was first ready for it, I was not and so I postponed it for a few weeks......then she was not willing. So we just waited and waited her out......
Our church requires that 3 yo's be potty trained before they can "graduate" to the 3 yo class. This was also a big motivation.
Yes, you do want her to to this on her timeframe. But remember that as the parent we can see that somethings need to be tackled and that our little ones are capable of accomplishing the task so sometimes we need to push a little harder then we would normally.
Every child is different. We didn't use pull-ups except at night. I found he would become lazy about telling me and going if he had a pull up on. Since Liliana is 3.5, I definitely think she is ready. Some get it in a few days, and some take a couple of weeks. You can also reward her for going with mnm's or skittles, one for pee and two for poo. That worked for us. We had our son trained regularly by 2.5 it was the #2 that was difficult. I ended up bringing the small training potty up from storage and it only took 2 days of him going #2 in that before he finally "got it" and now he will use the big potty for his #2's. They say girls are easier to train, but not always. I think I read every book on potty training and let our son watch countless videos....maybe they worked, maybe not. Consistancy is key. They would use diapers for along time if it were left up to them. I think Liliana sounds like she is definitely interested...just be prepared for many accidents and you have to have patience and be dedicated to it! I called it my three days of potty boot camp! Good luck and once you are no longer on diaper duty, FREE AT LAST!
Boy are you going to get alot of advice. Potty training is always a hot topic. People are very adamant about how you should or should not do it. Good luck!
Panties for sure. The feeling of wetness is important. See this one out girl - you can do it. This is not a fun experience. I am sure more will advise besides me. I say call Emily W. since she had three girls. I am sure she will be more than willing to divulge her expertise.
k-
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