Potty training- at my wits end!

[Kate888]

I don't know where to go at this point. Should I let her take a break or continue training?

We started potty training DD (2 years and 5 months) about 13 days ago. She learned to pee in the "big potty" on the second day (so I thought she was ready), but had lots of accidents for the first 2-3 days. After that, I have a better sence about how often she needs to go and know when to put her on the potty. Now she pees in the potty almost everytime I put her on it. However, she doesn't want to poo in it (refuses to go to the bathroom and 2 minutes later, accident). In addition, she never tells me when she needs to go, even when I ask her or remind her (her verbal skill is quite advanced). If I forget to take her to the bathroom, she will just go. We're using the Gerber training pants, but the "trickling effect" doesn't seem to help.

My friends all accomplished potty training within 1-2 weeks. Does this mean that DD is not ready yet? How long did it take you to train your DD/DS? Is there anything I should/shouldn't do during the process?

Thanks for all the help :)


Kate
Mama to Maya 2-17-02 and Polo (my big black dog)http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dog.gif


http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/ptrose.gif

[egoldber]

Well, honestly, I think it sounds like you're doing really well. I think that 1-2 weeks is not the norm :) , especially as young as your DD is. My DD "trained" about 5-6 weeks ago, but only in the last couple weeks has she started to really tell me when she needs to go as opposed to me reminding her periodically. As long as you are both still happy about the process, I'd give it a couple more weeks yet.

HTH,

[brubeck]

It sounds to me like (except for poops) she can keep her underwear dry all day if you bring her to the potty. That's awesome! It took a couple of months of my backing off before my DD would do that.

If you keep bringing her to the potty on a regular basis then she will learn that's where it's supposed to go. Maybe after awhile you could start setting a timer (oven timer?) and teach her that when it goes off she has to use the potty. Start stretching out the times and see if she holds it, knowing that the time is coming, or if perhaps she goes on her own. It will eventually happen!

As for the withholding of poops, I haven't gone into that territory yet, but I know atlbaby experienced the same thing. I believe that offering rewards (eg: a 'special' cookie) if a poop was put in the potty helped. Now she has the oppostie problem: her DD is pooping a little in the potty each time to keep getting cookies!

Honestly I think you are doing great! Hang in there! 1-2 weeks is super speedy.

[Kate888]

Beth and Helen, thank you so much for your replies! :) Whew, it's such a relief to know that 1-2 weeks is not the norm, because I was getting very frustrated with our progress. DD seems to sense it, too and sometimes says she doesn't want to go to the potty. I really appreciate your encouragement and letting me know that we're doing well so far :)

We took DD out for lunch to celebrate her progress in potty training today. I guess we both deserved it ;)

Thanks!!!




Kate
Mama to Maya 2-17-02 and Polo (my big black dog)http://www.mothering.com/discussions/images/smilies/dog.gif


http://instagiber.net/smiliesdotcom/kao/otn/ptrose.gif