Saturday, February 7, 2009

A little bit off topic....

For all the mothers out there.
My son is about to turn 2.
I'd like you to comment when you started potty training your children...
and any good advice you may have.

11 comments:

monkey girl said...

Oooooh something I know something about! Yay!

Well, from my experience the harder you push for potty training, the longer it takes.

My oldest (total Type A personality) decided at 24 months that she was done with nappies (day and night) and used the potty from then on...with not a single accident. She was my dream child.

Then came baby #2. Not only was she not interested in potty training, she'd run screaming from the room if you even mentioned using the potty. So I waited, and waited, and waited. Finally at 3 and a half she decided she'd use the potty...but only during the day. She wore nighttime nappies till practically kindergarten...I'm not kidding. We'd try to wear big-girl panties at night, but she'd have a accident every time. EVERY TIME! It took forever.
I will give you a helpful suggestion though, when the monkey is ready to go nappy-free at night, put 3 to 4 sheets on the bed, and in between each bottom sheet put a water-proof pad. So if the monkey has an accident just strip off the first fitted sheet and water-proof pad and put the monkey right back in bed. No re-making the whole bed in the middle of the night. I'd just throw the top sheets off and deal with it in the morning. Fast and easy.
Boys can be different, however, my best friend has three boys, and really it was all the same. The harder you push the longer it takes. Her 7 year old still wears nighttime nappies. He's just doesn't want to be bothered with getting up in the middle of the night.
Good luck, Honey.

Unknown said...

Has HE shown signs that HE is ready to use the toilet?

My eldest insisted on using the potty for pee/poop shortly before he turned 2 my youngest decided at 2.5 that the toilet was the way to go.

Most people will tell you to follow the cues of the child otherwise your not doing anything but training yourself.
Here are some of the signs to look for...

staying dry for at least 2 hours at a time
having regular bowel movements
being able to follow simple instructions
being uncomfortable with dirty diapers and wanting them to be changed
asking to use the potty chair
asking to wear regular underwear.

Unknown said...

Oops forgot to say Happy Upcoming Birthday!!!

Jen said...

Thanks guys.

He's gonna be 2 on the 15th!!

Patrick - You are definately right... I don't think he is ready yet... but I want to prepare myself so I don't miss the signs. I personally think diapers are easy (haha)... not looking forward to the time I go somewhere and need to know where all the bathrooms are!

I did pick up a basic potty today... Just in case he was interested. I try to make sure he has access to me and dad when we go so he can sort of figure it out.

I like to hear everyone's experiences. One of my nephews was still getting a diaper changed at 4.5 years old. He'd tell you he needed it changed. ha!

Jessica said...

We tried a little potty training with my first son and he pushed so hard against it I just figured he'd wear diapers to grade school. We just never spoke about it again, unless he asked, and about 3months shy of his 3rd birthday he said "no more diapers". We put him in underwear and he never had another accident.
My second son, who we never tried to train, did the same thing at the same age. I really wanted him to stay in diapers a little longer just because we were leaving for Disney when we decided to ban the diapers, but he never had an accident either.
I'm on my 3rd son now, and he isn't quite 2 but I'm just planning on following his lead and letting him tell me when he's done with diapers.
Not sure if that helps!
Jessica

Cancer Mommy said...

My son was almost trained at almost 3, then my daughter came along and all bet's were off! He wanted NOTHING to do with the potty. He wasn't trained during the day until nearly 4.5 yrs old. But, he just wasn't ready, and I was banging my head against the wall trying. He wore Pull-ups at night until he was 7.

My daughter was trained by about age 3. I left her alone about it all, and she decided one day she wanted to use the potty like everyone else. She had a few accidents, but nothing major. We stopped using the Pull-ups for her at night about the same time we stopped with my son.

Just be prepared to use EVERY public toilet wherever you go for a while. Somehow kids have a fascination with, and ability to find, the most disgusting toilet in 100 miles. And don't stress, he won't go to college in diapers. I was sure my son would!

mommapolitico said...

A cheap bubble gum machine, sugar-free gumballs, and a cup of pennies...the secrets to our success! As gum was a forbidden fruit, of sorts, it worked like a charm.The potty chair "lived" in the living room in front of the t.v. As just a chair for the kiddos for awhile-thank God all our friends had kids and understood where we were coming from. Little Man was a bit inconsistent.We had to add visuals - a potty chart with stickers;he liked to try to sink Froot Loops... Above all else, keep it celebratory and fun.

Jen said...

MG - I forgot to mention.... I'd heard that advice about making the bed before. Thanks for reminding me.

Thanks for all the advice. It's nice to hear all of the other viewpoints. And good to know that he'll let me know when he's ready. haha

I just have to prepare myself for nasty restrooms. Good thing I'm not super afraid of germs.

Jen said...

Hey Suburban!!
I tried to comment on your blog but it doesn't seem to be working. I fill in the capchtyca (whatever) box and then it doesn't do anything. :)

Sue Jacquette said...

I love my potty training story. My daughter (now 12) potty trained herself. I got her a mini toilet and kept it next to the real one and would take her with me to the bathroom every time I went. "Come on honey, I'm going to the bathroom, do you want to come?" She almost always said yes because she was so attached to me then. Anyway, I would go and tell her that someday, when she was ready, she would use the little one and do exactly what I'm doing and then she won't wear diapers anymore.

So one day I asked her to come with me again and to my surprise she said, I'm going to go, too. She went on her little potty and insisted that she never wear diapers again. And she didn't. That was it. I'm telling you she never wet her bed, never had an accident, she was trained that day.

Jen said...

Sue -- Welcome! So glad to have you here. I love your story... I'm hoping it's that easy for me, although I realize that boys are a little more stubborn that girls when it comes to potty training. But, I think I might just make more of an effort for me and hubby to bring him in with us. If he's not interested he can play with his bath toys. :D