Potty Training help!!!

[KrazeeK120]

My son is 22 months old and I am having major anxiety about potty training him.

I've read so many conflicting pieces of information regarding when and how to do this activity.

I got a seat that goes on top of the regular toilet and he hates it. I can see why, his feet don't reach the step stool I put under it and it's probably hard to balance. I ordered a toddler potty just a bit ago, it should be here in a couple of days.

I tend to be rather anxious anyway, and I've dreaded potty training before I ever even got pregnant.

One thing to note about my son is that he is all but non-verbal. He says 2 words. So there's an added barrier. He does follow directions well and is very good at imitating, so that's helpful.

Can anyone offer me advice or at least help ease my fears? I'm sure I'm blowing this way out of proportion, as I tend to do. I just don't want to miss some "window of opportunity" (if that even exists) and end up with an 8 year old in diapers...

 

[Poohforyou]

Relax. It'll happen when it happens. Stressing over it won't help him or you. IMO, you're starting awfully young. If he has no interest I'd shelf it for a few months.

Try to make it fun. Reward when he tries, even if nothing comes of it. Don't make a big deal of accidents. Let him run around without pants or put him in easy off/on pants. Buy underwear with his,favorite character. Make a reward chart.

 

[minniecarousel]

My 2 cents: he's waaay to young. Wait until he shows interest, when he can say the words pee-pee & poo-poo. I'm a grandma who watches a 3 year old grandson - he was close to 3 when his parents tried the 3 day routine. It worked!
With my other son's 2 1/2 year old son, they tried but his mama was so pregnant that bending over was too much for her. Now with a new baby & moving to a new house, he'll be close to 3 when they try again.

 

[diznygirl]

Yup - what the previous poster said. It's one of the great mysteries of parenthood.

We did a reward chart. And "time to sit on the potty!" throughout the day. Even if they don't go, they get used to it.

And if it's not working, stop. Wait a few months and start again. It happens when they are ready.

 

[kimblebee]

Just a thought..

Since he's pretty much non verbal, why not teach him a sign for potty. It doesn't have to be specific #1 or #2 at first..you just need to know he has to go. My sister has a 2 year old and she's taught him 10 signs or so.

 

[KrazeeK120]

Just a thought..

Since he's pretty much non verbal, why not teach him a sign for potty. It doesn't have to be specific #1 or #2 at first..you just needn't to know he has to go. My sister has a 2 year old and she's taught him 10 signs or so.

I should have mentioned in my OP, but my son is in speech therapy and can do 6 or so signs. I think we may try adding potty to our list soon.

So far, I feel like my son has done most things late compared to other kids (crawling, walking, self-feeding, using utensils, and talking obviously) and that maybe I'm not introducing skills or encouraging him enough.

Also, I feel like it's really hard not to compare kids. My nephew is 14 months old, but was born over 5 weeks early, and he says more words than my son. It just disheartens me sometimes.

 

[Hook326]

I agree that's he's young yet. My oldest son was just shy of three when he potty trained and it was easy because we just waited until he was ready. The little potty was out before then and he'd try it out every now and then with no pressure. Repeated the same with younger son and he ended up being a bit over 3 and a 1/2.

Unless there's something developmentally or medically holding up your son, I feel pretty safe saying you won't have an 8 year old in diapers! (At least during the day! Problems staying dry overnight can occur with normally developing kids up to 12.)

 

[PrincessShmoo]

I should have mentioned in my OP, but my son is in speech therapy and can do 6 or so signs. I think we may try adding potty to our list soon.

So far, I feel like my son has done most things late compared to other kids (crawling, walking, self-feeding, using utensils, and talking obviously) and that maybe I'm not introducing skills or encouraging him enough.

Also, I feel like it's really hard not to compare kids. My nephew is 14 months old, but was born over 5 weeks early, and he says more words than my son. It just disheartens me sometimes.

Each child is different. My 3rd one didn't talk. AT. ALL. Until he was around 4. He just didn't. I had started teaching him signs, but he wouldn't use those either. Didn't delay him at all. He's the only one of my kids who finished college and he's in an apprentice program at work for a full time job in 2 years.

My other two kids learned to talk and read early, mostly because they wanted to. And the middle kid talked a blue streak. Problem was - no one could understand him. Even me. He was in speech classes from kindergarten through middle school. Didn't stop him from trying to tell us stuff.

 

[minniecarousel]

Oh the talking thing! Oh Lordy, we were certain our now 3 year old grandson would never talk! He said a few works early, then nothing! Scared us all. Now he won't shut up! My sisters say- and you were worried that he wouldn't talk!

Let the Speech Therapy do its thing. Relax! Kids very often catch up when they go to school. I know it's hard not to worry that your son isn't "keeping up".

Hang in there

 

[VandVsmama]

Your son isn't ready. Both of my kids weren't really ready until they were just about to turn 3....especially ODD. Don't force it and don't freak out about it. What worked for my kids is we put a potty chair in front of the TV in the family room and I'd have my little one run around the house naked from the waist down. Put on your kid's favorite TV show. Fill kid with plenty to eat and drink and nature will run its course.

If your toddler has not yet reached the stage where he is bothered by having a poopy diaper, then he is probably not ready to start potty training. And for a lot of kids, they will potty train for #1 before they potty train for #2.

 

[dotfurio]

We didn't even start training my oldest until she was past 2. We waited til she seemed ready - ie doing things liking hiding to poop in her diaper (She'd kill me if she knew I was sharing lol). My daycare and I worked together and used M&M bribery (daycare idea - I guess it generally worked for her in the past). It didn't work as fast as we'd hoped. Finally just before she turned 3 I told her to we'd go to Rollie Pollie Olies house (DL) if she went in the potty for 2 weeks with no accidents. We were at DL 3-4 weeks later.

With my youngest we tried the naked 3 day potty training. It got her off to a good start, though she wasn't 100%. She picked it up pretty fast, though. Much faster than my oldest. She was daytime trained around age 2 but still had night time accidents. However, we had a heck of a time keeping clothes on her for a while.

 

[VandVsmama]

Also, you'll be able to tell that the poopy diaper is bugging him because he might tug at his britches and come over to you and point to his butt or something like that.

 

[Hook326]

So far, I feel like my son has done most things late compared to other kids (crawling, walking, self-feeding, using utensils, and talking obviously) and that maybe I'm not introducing skills or encouraging him enough.

Also, I feel like it's really hard not to compare kids. My nephew is 14 months old, but was born over 5 weeks early, and he says more words than my son. It just disheartens me sometimes.

I know it's tough to not compare, but try to keep in mind your son is an individual and he'll develop at his own rate. You're doing speech therapy and that's exactly what he needs to get on track. I remember having concerns with my youngest around 2 because he didn't have hardly any words so we got him speech therapy and he took off...motormouth to the extreme! He just needed a little extra time and help

 

[fly girl]

Take a deep breath. When he's ready, it will happen.

Like you, I was gung-ho to say goodbye to diapers around 2. Oh yeah, I read articles and even paid money for a ridiculous online book to help potty train. Nope. Wasted money and time.

And to add another sting, you will have those friends that say, "Little Suzy/Johnny just learned in 1 day at the age of 18 months." Uh huh. Ok. Good for them. My kid was cool with a dirty diaper until 3. She was too busy playing to be bothered with the toilet.

Then something in them just clicks. It does.

Like PP's, I like the reward chart too. Makes it fun for them to chart their successes, and for you to cheer them on. It's a big deal ... for both of you!

Just don't rush it. Forcing it doesn't work and just makes you crazy. He's ready when he's ready.

 

[kimblebee]

Take a deep breath. When he's ready, it will happen.

Like you, I was gung-ho to say goodbye to diapers around 2. Oh yeah, I read articles and even paid money for a ridiculous online book to help potty train. Nope. Wasted money and time.

And to add another sting, you will have those friends that say, "Little Suzy/Johnny just learned in 1 day at the age of 18 months." Uh huh. Ok. Good for them. My kid was cool with a dirty diaper until 3. She was too busy playing to be bothered with the toilet.

Then something in them just clicks. It does.

Like PP's, I like the reward chart too. Makes it fun for them to chart their successes, and for you to cheer them on. It's a big deal ... for both of you!

Just don't rush it. Forcing it doesn't work and just makes you crazy. He's ready when he's ready.

You are so right about something clicking. I tried with my daughter just before she was two and it was a no go. Didn't take long before I gave up. I tried again at 2 1/2 and it went much better. One weekend, we were driving to the summer cabin and she was in a pull up. She had to go to the bathroom and her choices were to go in her pull up or go on the side of the highway. She refused to go in her pull up and from that day forward she was fully trained. I guess the indignity of soiling herself that one last time was her line in the sand.

Not sure the side of a highway was any better but hey, her butt, her choice lol

 

[Queen of the WDW Scene]

OMG slow your roll!
I wouldn't even start talking about potty training until he has turned 2.
I'm sure you being anxious is not helping him.
He'll let you know when its time.
Heck I was 3-1/2yrs old at Disney with a diaper on and said "oh, peed again".
It took me a bit longer than my sisters but I got the hang of it eventually lol.
My one niece took to it like a natural right after her second b-day and was at Disney completely accident free just a few months later.
Kids go at their own pace. Not at yours.

 

[AuntieMe3]

Like everyone else, you have plenty of time. Try not to stress too much, i tried with my daughter when she was 2 1/2 and she wanted nothing to with it until she was ready at 3. I wouldn't worry about trying until he can pull his pants up and down himself and can express himself in someway to let you know he has to go or else it's just you trained helping him go and not him trained himself. Every kid is different so don't real bad when someone tries to compare. I work in childcare and my boss always says you never see a typical kid going to kindergarten in diapers.

 

[winterman]

My DGS was 3 1/2 by the time he was potty trained. It only took a day or 2 and I don't believe he ever had a daytime accident and only a few at night. He wasn't ready when DD tried when he was 3. But, 6 months later it took very little effort.

 

[jo-jo]

My son has a summer birthday. We tried around two , didn't work. I gave up during the winter, too many clothes to get off when you only one second notice. Next summer worked fine.

 

[lsyorke]

Breath.....boys potty train later and 22 months is WAY to young to stress over it. Mine showed interest at 3 and to be honest, trained himself by just letting him start when he was ready. I always remember his day care saying that those training before the age of 2 were the parents being trained, not the kid. He'll be fine and when he's ready it will be smooth sailing.