Can anyone help me with potty training?

[JenRuss5]

Have I got some advice for you!!!!! Let me tell you, I have QUADRUPLET boys who will be 5 in September. I decided when they were 27 months old we were going to potty train. First you MUST get the book"Toilet Training In Less Than A Day". I read it twice and went exactly by the book with the exception of having them empty the potty themselves. I have enough mess to clean up without adding that. I had one who learned in 1 day with no accidents, one took 4 days with 1 accident, and 2 took 14 days. Only an occasional accident at night by 1 of the boys who would sleep so soundly the urge wouldn't wake him up. Zip Zap we're done! It was INTENSE potty training. I did nothing else for 2 weeks except potty train. I didn't cook, clean or go anywhere. We kept a potty in the car with paper towels in it to absorb anything if they had to go while we were out. You can do it!!!!! Just once you start, don't go back. Go at it full force and be consistent. Pull ups were used in the beginning ONLY at nap time and bedtime and came off as soon as they got up. I just didn't want to take a chance of them wetting their beds for a few weeks. Really, I just didn't want to change 4 beds . Good luck and get the book! Let me know if I can help further.

 

[docswkids]

Wow! Its hard to follow that post! Jenruss5, I think a mother of quadruplet boys trumps all of us on a potty training thread!

I am the mom of 2 boys and my experience goes along with those who recommended going with the flow, so to speak.

Son number one or ichiban as he likes to call himself, was in no hurry whatsoever to potty train. We used pull ups which I agree is a very expensive mistake; he used them no differently than diapers. No amount of reasoning, or bribing made the process speed up. Finally, when he was 31/2 and I was 7 months pregnant with number 2 I said to ichi "We are not buying anymore pullups. Your pullups days are over, and you will be wearing big boy underpants(the cartoon character ones are fabulous, by the way). I told him this change would occur in a few days, thinking that I would start him on a weekend and not a daycare day. Well, the next day as I readied him for daycare and got out a pullup he asked for underpants and said he thought we werent doing pullups anymore. He had only a few accidents after this, during the day, as he hated being messy. Nighttime took longer; I put a waterproof mattress pad on his bed and had one to spare, kept a full bedchange handy for those middle of the night accidents, and learned quickly that any wimpering or crying in the middle of the night meant an escorted trip to the bathroom. He was fully dry at night after about a year.

Son number two decided for himself that his diaper days were over at the age of 21/2, and he wasnt out of the crib yet! He maybe had 2 accidents during the day and maybe two at night and that was it. He wouldnt wear a pullup or diaper at night, only underpants. I was so grateful that he had just saved the family hundreds of dollars in diapers for the year that I thought he would still be in them, that I took him out to buy a special present. I chalk this miracle up to the difference between children and the positive influence that an older sibling can have over a younger one.

 

[tar heel]

I used to teach two-year-olds and preschool and cannot stress strongly enough what Kermit said -- do not use Pullups. They feel like a diaper, so the child does what he's been doing in his diaper and it's a lot harder for you to clean up than a diaper would be. Each year, we began the year with half the girls and none of the boys trained. We ended the year with most kids having turned three, and all the girls and about half the boys were trained.

I doubt that your MIL's kids were trained -- she was the one that was trained!

If your son is not dry for long periods of time and showing interest in going to the bathroom, he's not ready. All three of my boys were past three and ready and it was actually very easy and finished in a couple of days -- I gave prizes every time they went, so they really wanted to go. Then switched to a sticker chart with a big prize at the end. Like the previous poster, I told them several days in advance that this was going to happen, we picked out the character underwear, etc.

 

[Gillian]

I am still researching & really appreciate all the helpful suggestions. Thank you for sharing! This is the best board

A funny thing happened today! We sometimes ask DS if he has to go potty. We've only done it a few times, but yesterday he had a lot of noisy gas & I guess DH & I both asked him a few times & then checked his diaper without really thinking about it. So today DH "breaks wind" and DS went over to check daddy's diaper! Luckily I missed the 1st part

In just the past week, DS has been talking A LOT more! It's so amazing the way kids learn I'm hoping that this will help with the training thing, as we can understand him better now.

He loves Bear, so I'll look for that video. And there are some cute books, but I couldn't decide which one to get, so I didn't get any!

 

[BrerMom]

If you're looking for potty books, check out re-sale shops or your library. Most people only need potty books for less than a year.

 

[GoofyDonald]

Just a suggestion, as the mother of two teenage sons, who would cringe if they knew I was answering this, when they first started using the potty we put Fruit Loops floating in the toilet for them to "aim" for. I hope this isn't to descriptive, but it made part of going to the bathroom fun and the second just seemed to follow! Most of all relax and enjoy each stage of his life, we still are!!!!

 

[Gillian]

Any adult men who were traumatized by training with cheerios or fruit loops, please let me know!

 

[disneyvacationmom]

I totally agree about the pull-ups. I always put training pants and rubber pants on(just in case of accidents.) Also, dry diapers for longer lengths of time is a good indication of whether or not he is ready. My son was trained by 18 mo but he was so easy. I used stickers as a reward. Everytime he sat on the toilet, he got a sticker. If he went, he got another. I used a toilet seat ring so his little bum wouldn't fall through. When I worked in daycare, we often sat kids on backwards and they'd hold on to the tank. Somehow they felt more secure that way. A word of advice for anyone using a potty chair. In daycare we always put a bit of water in the bottom of the pot-it made it much easier to empty. Running water is also a good way to make them go but then that could be training mom not the child. My daughter was not as easy as my son-stickers meant nothing to her-bring on the m&m's. Good luck and just think, one day you won't be walking around always saying "Do you have to pee?"

 

[ppony]

My son is 2 yrs 2 months and not PT'd yet. We have the little potty seat out and he sat on it when he first saw it but no intrest so far. I'm glad I read about teh no pull-ups thing. I would ahve for sure done it. I'm inclined to wait till he shows iunterest like the others say. As my first baby, I want to see all those new firsts and huge milestones in a hurry (sort-of) but Nick took his sweet time to walk...he's taking his sweet time to talk but you can tell he's very smart in there. Just playing us. Some things he does amazes me because he just desn't do what many children are doing. But he'll get there in HIS time. My trouble is (to keep this Disney related) is he LOVES real people movies and shows. Like his FAVORITE is Harry POtter. You would think it would scare him or go WAY pver his head but he LOVES LOVES LOVES it! He did LOVE Monsters inc (hey, when's that out on video?) but my favorite Disney movies like Lion King and Aladdin and such he doesn't like or doesn't watch long. He DOES like Mary Poppins though. Sigh...what to do. I'm make him a mouse lover yet!!!

Back to the suject at hand.....
It'd be nice to have them trained for our trip but I'm not counting on it. The concensus but NOT the rule is boys just seem to take longer.
Thanks for the advice and for the thread!!! it was invaluavble!!

Have a great trip!

OH ...quick question to the experienced. The potty seat I remember as a kid that my brother used has a "splash guard" so he could pee sitting down. Is it not done that way anymore? the one we have doesn't keep ANYTHING from flying straight out in front of him. Do they get taught standing up? OR....do people have better experiences with teh smaller seats you put on the big seat?

 

[mlj'smom]

OK, I rarely post, but have to warn about the Cheerio thing going wrong. My DS is almost 3, and we have been trying different ways to encourage him. I tried the Cheerio it the toilet last week. The result? No, he's not trained yet. But after he finished what he wanted of his cereal the next day, he picked up his bowl, dripped milk down the hall, and proceded to dump in what was left, and then flush, yelling "Yea, I did it!" So a word of caution to all considering edible targets. Now we're trying to explain to him why food really doesn't belong in the potty!!! As well as why he should use it!

 

[Tense]

Just take the shield off and throw it away... you won't need it and if you leave it on.. ouch.. i just don't want to imagainr a toddler in a hurry!...MY son was toilet trained at 15 months.. both pee and pooh. I started early as soon as he walked (12 mon) put him on a potty whenever I was in the bathroom.never NEVER use pull up because they can't feel the wtness and you WANT them to be uncomfortable. I used old fashioned training pant and vinal covers. They look like white breifs but with padding in the front crotch and rear . So they absorb somewhat.. but it is a wet load!When at home he was either naked waist down or the breifs. When I had to go out in the beginnig, I would put on pull up OVER the breifs. He'd know he wet and I wasn't embarrassed with a dripping kid. It took all of 2 weeks I'd say. And just let him know that wet was not good. AND high praise for dry. I didn't do any reward system, because going to the potty was expected not.. NOT something to be rewarded with toys or candy. Reward them with material things and then they can manipulate you. My daughter was walking at 9 months and dry night and day at 12 months. She was sooo small she wore size 2 underwear and they were too big need a stich in the waist. Pediatrician couldn't beleive how young she was.. he wanted me to train HIS 3 year old for him LOL.!! her little legs couldn't even reach the kiddie potty!Good luck!

 

[Chance's Mom]

Your post made me smile! When my DS was in the 1 to 2 1/2 year old range--he watched "Poppins" everyday. It is my favorite disney movie, I now know the dialogue by heart "Kick your feet up step in time...."

Anyway, we took him to the breakfast at the Grand Flo when he was almost 2. When the "real" Poppins picked him up, he was so overwhelmed he cried! I have some adorable pictures.

Now, at almost 6, he won't even admit that he watched the movie, lol!

Also, re the post above--Everyone does it differently, there is no right or wrong way, do what works best for you and your family. Stories of 12 month olds who are totally trained is what puts a lot of pressure on the rest of us (as if we didn't have enough with our mils).
Remember, there is no correlation between IQ and the age a child is potty trained!

 

[figment95]

I thought I would pass along a few tips that I got when I was training my kids. Wait for a clue from your kids. You have a window when they are ready. If you try too early, you won't get anywhere and it will be frustrating for both of you. If you wait too late, it may become a power struggle. Get a little potty and keep it in the bathroom. I took the shield off and showed my son how to close his knees and tuck himself down (if I'm not getting too graphic.) It seemed less intimidating than trying to stand at first. My friend told me to buy 12 cloth training pants, the kind that are thick. Get a bucket and fill it about half full of bleach water. Keep it somewhere in the bathroom where your child can't reach it. The training pants will get really gross if you don't bleach them so as soon as they get wet, put them in the bucket and they won't smell. If they get dirty, swish them in the toilet first. Have patience. It will happen.

 

[Tink]

What a wonderful thread! I have a DD age 3 and 4 months who could care less about the potty. I started the pull up thing, but told her that tomorrow, they don't make them in her size anymore and she will have to wear undies. She hates to feel herself wet in them. She is scheduled to start nursery school this September but if she isn't potty trained, she is not allowed to go.

Thanks for all of the wonderful advice and wish me luck! Today she actually asked my to sit on the potty to go #2, but that was about two hours agoand nothing yet! This is the first time she asked to sit on it, most of the time she runs screaming from the room if I suggest it, and I don't and to push. I hope DD #2 who is 6 months, will catch on a little sooner.

 

[ZPT1022]

For those of you who have concerns about using Cheerios with the boys- I have seen "toilet targets" at Babies R Us. My only advice is to be careful and not to encourage reading on the potty to keep the, on the potty- FMIL did this with FH and he WILL NOT GET OUT OF THE BATHROOM! EVER. FMIL told me that it is her fault- they potty trained him and taught him to read at the same time. So now he is in his 20's and has the impression *still* that when in the bathroom one must have some literature on hand. I also worked in daycare and my actual serious advice is to try not to put too much pressure on the kids- I had a little boy in the 3 yr old program cry and cry and cry because he thought he was going to get in trouble for having an accident- I certainly didn't punish him, but someone must have taught him to be afraid like that . Anyhow, good luck to all of you, I have a DD who will be one the 17th of this month so I appreciate all the tips I got for the future- I probably would have tried the Pull-ups.

 

[JulesMom]

There is a book called "Potty training in less than a day"

I used it on DS & DD. I only know of 4 other people who have used the book, but it works--if you follow the book exactly.

I've had friends who tried it, but they didn't follow the training in the book. You have to have no one in the house but you and the kid. Afew of my friends had their other 3 kids in the house--kind of make it hard to concentrate on the training.

It really does work. DD was trained at 22 months--only had 1 accident EVER!

I tried DS at 22 months but he wasn't ready--it was real easy to tell after about 1 hour of training. He was trained at 26 months.

When I say trained, I mean trained. THEY go to the bathroom, pull their pants down themselves, flush the potty and pull their pants up.

 

[beattyfamily]

My DD is 2 years and 8 months. I didn't try at all figuring I'd wait till summer when she can run around naked and I'd have more time.

What I do with both DD's (other one is 6 and was trained by 2 years 5 months) is put the potty in front of the TV or in where they play and I let them either run around naked or put big girl undies on so she can feel the accident. It worked for both of them and for both of them pull ups did NOT work. They are like diapers and they peed in them and reverted back.

My older DD had accidents at night for awhile but my younger DD has been dry every single night! It's been about 3 weeks with only a couple of accidents in the beginning and none at night or out on errands or trips. Only accident recently was when she was playing outside in her bathing suit. She just didn't want to come in!

She's even got the runs (sorry!) but has had no accidents. I guess we won't be venturing out today though!

I'm so glad I won't need diapers for our October WDW trip!!!

Good luck everyone!

 

[Kimkimba]

I say when they are ready, they area ready, and not one moment sooner. I tried many things with my ds when he was 2, with little progress. When he was close to 3 1/2, he decided he was ready, and that was that. No more diapers. He never used the potty chair other than a few times when he was 2. I had many videos (Winston and Bear come to mind) and incentives. Then I just said the heck with it. Gave it up completely - never mentioned it for a few months. One day he decided to "go." And that was that. Why worry yourself before they are 2 or even when they are 2? Don't we have enough to think/worry about? I can't think of any 5 year olds I know in diapers. On the other hand, my daughter more or less trained herself completely before she turned 3 (no accidents day or night). Each child is soooo different. I'm all into encouragement - but pressure can't be good for parents or for the child. Good luck!

 

[pwoodham]

Had to chime in here - 5 boys, 4 PT'd. Don't stress over it until they're ready!! Mine were all about 4 before they were fully trained. Yes, we did the pull-ups, but let me say that I'd rather change a poopy diaper on MY timetable than have to drop whatever I'm doing to help a little one in the bathroom!! Too many other important things happening every minute to be able to afford such a luxury.....
I also agree about the book, "Toilet Training in Less Than a Day." It's great! I discovered it and tried it with my 4th when he was just shy of his 4th bd. It worked (ok, it took more like 3 days) and he's had very few accidents. I was pretty sure I could use it with him because I believed he was choosing NOT to use the potty out of a "If it works, don't fix it" kind of attitude.
This is such a personal/family decision, you have to do what's good for you. I wish you best of luck and keep those paper towels handy!!! LOL!!

 

[Aggie89]

Ds turned 3 in August and our big WDW trip was in July. He also started preschool in August and HAD to be potty trained. He showed no signs in June. We just went cold turkey. I said,"Bye Bye Diapers" and we trashed them. Then, I showed him his new "big boy undies" which were actually cotton training pants. He freaked out the first time he urinated on himself, but I ran him to the potty each time until he could do it. He didn't like the little potty and preferred to use the big one with a foldable seat on it (we didn't do the standing up thing until later- I had enough to clean already). He got the hang of urinating fine once he understood how it felt before it came out so he could make it in time. Pooping in the pot was harder. He had a bm on himself one time and I had to wash him in the tub. After that he withheld for a few days and I had to bribe him with blue kool-aid which he had never had. Once he did it, he was fine and I weaned him off of the bribes. Anyhow, at WDW he did great with only one accident- during Fantasmic (it scared the pee out of him) and we were in great shape for preschool. We only did the pull-ups at night until he had better bladder control. Be consistent, don't turn back and don't go anywhere for about a week. Good luck!