In my book, you are an expert if you have even attempted this.
I am going to start potty training Mallory on Monday morning. It's Spring Break and most of our normal commitments are cancelled, so it's perfect timing. I will be honest. I'm terrified. Diapers are so convenient. They are also expensive buying them in twos. I'm trying to psyche myself up and get my supplies ready. I've got a big stash of m&ms, a little potty seat, potty books, the Elmo potty dvd, tons of stickers (that will go on a chart of some sorts) and hopefully lots of encouragement, without going crazy from pee on the floor instead of the potty.We've already started talking it up. She knows that she will go pee pee in the potty on Monday (we've been counting down the days). She seems very excited about it and her little friend, Bella is doing it the same week. So, hopefully, between the princess panties, peer pressure and candy, it will be a success!!
So, let me hear all of your tips, advice and things NOT to do!!! I'll be waiting with my pen and paper.
8 comments:
Woohoo for potty training boot camp! We couldn't do it with out yall! :)
Love the pic! Good luck!
Be steadfast and don't get distracted by computer time or anything else! Keep your eye on her for any signs.
Be lighthearted and patient so she thinks of it positively. (She will mess up for weeks if not months after if she's like 2 out of my 3!)
Be ready to be wrong about her being ready. If she is, it's so easy. If she's not, it's torturous!
Don't reward in any way that you're not ready to continue on with. We gave a Skittle every time Aisley even tried...until she started "trying" every five minutes! She'd run in pull down her pants, sit and jump right off for her Skittle...hilarious, but not happening!
Remember it will happen both during the day and at night. Not too many college kids in diapers!
Love Kim's advice.
1. She's right about wanting the treat EVERY TIME ALL THE TIME for going potty. We opted for no candy because of this reason and tried for a healthier treat, like the two raisins (3 if it's #2). Because, you just wait.....it's ALL THE TIME!
2. KNOW ahead of time that she WILL tee on the floor and poo in her panties more times than you ever thought could happen. But stick with it.
3. Have wipes IN the bathroom for an easier clean up when this does happen (for the poo ones especially!)
4. Invest in lots of cheap panties you won't feel guilty throwing away.
5. Make her go every 20-30 minutes no matter.
6. And finally, know that she will not be going to kindergarten still in pull-ups/diapers. ((That always seemed to encourage me going through this!))
Yeah! Can't wait to hear how it goes.
Love!
Good luck! I bet it goes better than you are anticipating.
The advice the others gave is good - I don't have much to add. I guess the only advice I really have is that pullups are worthless. At least they were for us. Bethany treated them the same as diapers. The only way she would voluntarily go to the potty was if she was wearing panties.
Can't wait to hear how it goes!!!
I will not call myself an expert because I just realized that Mr. Hayden is NOT ready after a week and a half attempt at trying. Yes, follow the advice that if you notice she is NOT ready, do not be stubborn and think you will make her ready. It just makes you stressed out. :) Anyway, with Ella it was a breeze! She was super easy. We tried right before turning 2, realized she wasn't ready and then tried again the weekend after she turned 2. Can I say easy? She was day time, night time and nap time potty trained that week. I know that's unusual, but I think our key was:
1. We didn't go anywhere the ENTIRE week. I didn't want to confuse her by going places and her not having the opportunity to use "her" potty.
2. Get rid of the diapers. Put them way away for Morgan so that they are not a temptation. Once you realize that you are doing this, you're doing it. :)
3. Pull ups are worthless. See number 2. :) Actually I tried one day with the pull ups that had the feel and learn. They broke Ella out. Plus, they are glorified diapers that are harder to use if they have a poppy accident in them. Just go with the new panties.
4. I didn't "overdue" the liquid like I had read. When I tried the first time we did this and Ella was peeing all over the place. Seriously, when I say all over the place, I mean all over the place. We we tried the second time I just gave her the regular amount we always did and she had more control over her little bladder and could make it to the potty. It wasn't that "oh my goodness, I'm going to wet my pants" mode.
Lastly, YOU can do it. It's all up to your perseverance and determination. She will get it. It's just you having the patients to deal with it. I would just tell myself if we can do this for 3 days, she will have it, since I had always heard new habits could be developed in 3 days. Don't know where I heard that. I think there is some truth, but I made myself believe it for potty training. UM, side note, this definitely didn't work for Hayden. :) Still have to figure that one out as I think boys are going to be a whole different ball game and age.
Hope that helps!
Hakuna matata (is that how you spell it? - you know from Lion King)
It will be fine I promise. She'll get the hang of it. I will offer Joshua's assistance though as he really likes to use the potty with his friends. They could just sit on their potties together!
The egg-timer is your friend. I set it every 30 minutes and it was like a game that we got to go sit on the potty when the timer rang.
Also used L&L--it's potty time! do you want to run to the bathroom or should i carry you? do you want to turn the light on or should i? etc ad nauseum
when she had an accident, as much as possible i let her clean it up herself. (again, l&l natural consequences). it takes FOR-FREAKING-EVER. but it works. i was always cheerful, oh well! that feels yucky i bet. do you remember where we keep the towels?
audrey had a little stage fright. she always needs a little privacy to be able to go, so i would close the door or make up some excuse about needing to go get a sticker or something. as soon as i walked out i would hear her go.
the only other piece of advice i have is to do it all at once. i don't know if it worked for every kid but we did nap, night, and day training all at once. it made things less confusing for her i think. it took some discipline for me b/c i had to wake up early to make sure i got her out of bed in the morning to go potty before she woke up, but after a week she was done.
good luck!
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