Best potty training method? **update: we've started, pg 4**

[theatermouse]

We've been working with our 3 year old (will be 3 1/2 in July) and he's doing amazing now! We still have to take him in every hour to hour & a half and he'll go. He's gotten to the point now where if he starts to go in his undies, he'll tell us he needs changed, so we go into the bathroom & he'll finish on the potty. It's taken us about 3 weeks to get to that point. We haven't really started worrying about pooping on the potty, but he will tell us once he's done that he needs changed. For the most part, he is only in underpants. We will put a pull-up on him at bedtime & if we will be out of the house more than 2 hours. Even when we're out, we stop by a potty and he'll go.

OP, just be patient. Like I said, our son still won't tell us when he's got to go, we just keep an eye on the time and will take him into the bathroom to sit. He's learning, just not there quite yet. Your little girl will get there when she's ready, too!

 

[surfergirl602]

Well I wanted to give an update and ask some questions.

I started training yesterday. This was my first real attempt at focusing on pottying in the potty all the time, not just whenever. We've had the potty about 4 or 5 months and every once in a while I'd ask if she wanted to potty in there and she would. So she's already peepee'd at least 2 dozen times in there. But not on any consistent basis.

Ok, so yesterday we started the day in diapers (and I gave her favorite stuffed animal Bear one), but after we watched some potty videos and I showed her some new big birl panties, we switched over. I also showed her the candy (M&Ms) that she would get when she peepee'd or pooped in the potty. She was very excited and helped pick out the panties she and Bear would wear.

So every 20-25 minutes I would ask her if she needed to potty. She always said no. But I would put her on the potty every 30 regardless. She did very well in going peepee most every time. I gave her some candy and we made a big deal about it.

Then several times she peepee'd in her panties and I only knew it because she was touching herself. So I said no candy because you have to peepee in the potty. I'm not sure she understood it since she is still pretty young (26m).

Later she pooped in her panties and only told me after she did it. So she apparently doesn't mind doing it in her panties, either one. In fact, she has never minded being wet or soiled. She will literally sit in it for an hour if I don't catch it. Is that her age or just her? And is this a sign of her not being "ready" or that she just needs more practice at pottying in the chair?

Now what do you do when she does it in her panties? I still want this to be a positive experience, but also want her to know it's not ok. What is the correct process?

She always goes when I put her on the potty, but never asks to go, or seems to know that she needs to go. Is this also a sign of not being "ready"?

Thanks for your ideas! So far she is doing well - but lots more practice needed!

One more thing, we are going out to lunch today. She is not ready for going in panties - I think if she goes she will just pee on the chair. Should I put her in pull-ups? Maybe over the panties?

Honestly, if she doesn't care if she's wet and doesn't care about it, she isn't ready. 26 months is really early to potty train if they aren't interested or ready. There are exceptions, but when they are feeling uncomfortable and don't like being wet and dirty, then they are ready.