At Wits End with Potty Training 3 Year Old Daughter!!!

I agree with K. T. Stop stressing about it. She WILL get there. It won't be on your terms, but on hers. Most of the time, if the parent backs off, the kid doesn't feel the stress and starts on their own. And, also, stop listening to other people. My mom gave me a lot of grief when my son was that age. We waited until he was ready and it only took a couple of days. You are the parent and you make the rules, not all those other people.

Let me say you are not the only one having this issue. My twins didn't do it until almost 4yo. I've said this before who ever said a 2yo is supposed to potty train was absolutely stupid. I know few kids who actually did it at 2. You've got to remember this....this is something you can't make your kids do, they will do it in there own time and punishing for it is the worst thing to do. You need to put her in the pull-ups, put pottys around the house, and tell her they are there for her to use when she feels ready. Yes, she knows what is expected of her, but you can't make her do it. This is something they have the control over and the more of a "bad thing" you make it, the more they will push not to do it. And you know what, this as well as numerous other things that are going to come along with parenting, you can't worry about what others say and think. If your family is giving you a hard time, you've got to stay calm and just look at them and say, "you know what, we've tried and obviously she's not ready so she'll do it in due time." And then remove yourself from that family member or whoever you're with. Hope this helps ease a little of your frustration. Goodluck

Don't stress and don't listen to people that are going to judge you.....

You daughter sounds like she is very strong willed and yes she knows exactly what she is supposed to do but the more you push the more trouble she is going to give you!!!!! I would back off even drop the subject for a little while. If she chooses to go then help her let her know what a good job she is doing (but not to much don't go crazy.)

Just keep telling yourself eventually every child learns to use the potty, I have yet to meet an adult that is STILL in a diaper!!!!

Good Luck, your daughter sounds just like mine and she was 3 1/2 before we were potty trained (and maybe even a little older than that before I could trust her all night.)

C.,
Thank you for being upset by this! I'm sure that others will disagree and have already posted different opinions.

This topic is a very personal one. You have to do what you feel is best for your child, no matter which viewpoint you decide to accept and the heck with others.

I completely disagree with "they'll do it when they are ready". I am a teacher and I am seeing more and more children not be able to start preschool or even Kindergarten because they aren't potty trained. My nephew still at almost 6 can't clean himself because the doctor told my sister-in-law "oh he'll do it when he's ready".

I was extremely lucky and both my boys were trained by 26 months. Yes, many say they trained me, but I wasn't paying for the pricey diapers any longer than I had to. My youngest was completely independent with going by 30 months. We are working on him cleaning himself.

We sat them on the toilet backwards (no mess on the floor from overshooting), every hour NO matter where we were, or what we were doing. They just had to try, If nothing came out, then nothing came out. We also took my younger son to choose his own potty seat that no one else could touch. My mom used a chart and when it was full we got to go to the store to choose a special toy (under $5, then). This gave us control over the situation but we respected her authority over us.

I do believe every child is different. Relax and do what you feel is best. ??? Possibly the fact that your pregnant is causing the process to take longer. ???

You are not alone! My youngest daughter will turn 3 in early May and she really has no interest in being potty trained. I am not stressing out about it as I figure it will be much easier when we're home for the summer and when she's wearing less clothes. Kids often dictate when they're ready ... and it really has nothing to do with when the parents start the process. My goal is to have my daughter fully potty trained by the time preschool starts up again in late August. Stop listening to the people who berate you for how you handle your parenting duties.