Potty Training - Damascus,AR

Been there, done that! I have a 3 1/2 year old boy. He was completely potty trained at about 1 month before his 3rd birthday. A friend gave me the BEST advice: Get rid of the pull ups! (Except at night, at first). Also, I let him pick out "big boy underwear" (Thomas the Train), and when he had an accident in them, they went in the garbage. He quickly realized that he didn't like that, and started using the potty. Also, whenever he had an accident, we would take about 10 minutes and practice running to the potty from all different parts of the house, and pulling down pants and practice using the potty. Chaos and lots of fun. And also, when we are in a mall parking lot, football taigate, or other places where no potty is convenient, we use empty plastic water bottles, that usually accumulate in my car.

But, most importantly, don't worry -- he'll get it. How many 20 year olds do you know who aren't potty trained?? Good luck!

Hi S.!
I recently potty trained my son who will be three in April. I don't know if you have done this already but I finally took away the pull-ups completely (I mean out of the house). I knew that he felt like he had a pull-up to depend on. I also felt like I was at the end of my rope so I had to get creative. His favorite thing in the whole world is plain M&M's, so I got a little bag of fun size M&M's and put them in a jar(with a lid) and sat them by the potty. When he asked what they were for I told him that they would be a reward for everytime he pooped in the potty. He was definately interested, he ended up pooping in the potty about three days later, and I rewarded him with the candy. I wouldn't normally reccomend bribery, I looked at it more like a reward, and it just happended to work in our situation. After about a month he didn't need the reward anymore. I hope this helps.

I am also a 22 year old stay-at-home-mom, my husband goes to school and works full time so I feel like am always on my own. I don't know what your support system is like but I will always be willing to listen or talk when you need someone. Good Luck!
M. G.

Since you just had two baby there is going to put hold on the potty trainning but for him going eveywhere. Try setting time where it is just you and him time. He met feel left out of everything. This coming from sonone that gone it.
L. Halda

I am going through the same thing with my three year old daughter who will be four in May. We are doing everything we can to get her to go to the potty, but I like that jar of M&Ms, that's a good one. I realized that she really loves to watch her Scooby Doo movies. That is all we hear when we drop her off at school and pick her up...I wanna watch scooby doo. Well, I think I'll take them away from her and let her know...no potty...no scooby! Her dad works 12 hour shifts so he helps when he can, and his whole thing is that she's our first, we have some learning. Well, I would like another in the next few years and I want her potty trained by then. Keep your head up, you are not alone.

I've been trying to potty train my three year old for 4 months now and he hasn't gotten the hang of it yet. I just think that it is weird cause my other son was potty trained in about 1 month. So if you hear anything that will help me, then please let me know. Thanks

Try throwing a few fruit loops in the toliet for him to aim at. I did this with my son who is four now when he was a yr old he's been potty trained ever since. Hope it helps. Good Luck!!!

My doctor told me to try a book called potty training in a day and it pretty much has you spend the day giving them liquids and having them go every 15 mins. good luck!

Hi there. All I can really say is to hang in there. I have a 4 year old little boy and he is just now starting to go to the (big) potty. When he was younger we asked the doctor what we should do and he said to give him a treat if he uses the potty. and that if he didnt not to make a big deal out of it. Like with my son... the first time he went to the potty on his own we took him to chuck E cheeses. So maybe that is something to think about.
I know how it is to be a stay at home mom. I also have a 9 month old, and a husband that works 18 hour days. So if there is anything that you need advise on please ask.

A. W.

i think that megan is absolutly right. the reward system always seems to work.even if its just with a sticker chart. the kids really like stuff like that. espically when people come over ad tell him how good he's doing getting all those cool stickers. place them on a chart outside his door or on the fridge. where he can proudly display his good work. god luck girl.

S., it sounds like you are a great mom, with alot on your plate. You may have already heard this, but with my son, I would give him a little treat every time he went and pottied in the bathroom. It can be something like his favorite treat, a piece of candy, or even a small toy. You can do something like bubbles, or a small hot wheels car. It may or may not work for you, but my son always wanted that little treat, and eventually it became a habit for him to go, without always having to have a treat. We also made a big deal about wearing underware, and got his favorite, I think spiderman at the time. I know all of this is so hard to do with other children. When he has a big breakfast, or lunch, maybe after eating, wait a little while, then spend that time with him, and go read to him while he is sitting and trying to go. I hope this helps, good luck with your adventure!!!!!

hey my oldest (now 8) did the same thing when my 2nd and 3rd was born. i just kept getting onto him and showing him where he needs to go. he finally was doing by age 5 almost 6 years. i know how you feel about being the only one raising even tho having a husband. i raised all 3 by myself for 4 years. my husband works 7 days a week morning til night. he was working 2 jobs where he was never home but right now he has to raise them with just his room mate(a friend of ours) if you want to talk to me more please write back. Im A.. Im 26.

A.

A lovely pediatrician suggested that I remove my son's underwear and pants, and socks, and let him run around bottomless in the house and back yard. After a while, the guys get tired of getting themselves wet and dirty, and start using the potty. She suggested a weekend should do it. My only problem, is that with my son, this would then give him the message, which he would take and never let go, that it is perfectly acceptable to drop his trousers and eliminate in the back yard....so we didn't do that. Instead, we just ignored it, and when he did make a mess, he had to clean it up...there are a thousand and one suggestions and each has positives and negatives. He wants your attention, he's in between being a big boy and a baby, and the newbies are a threat. Why push it? If he wants a pullup, let him have it...it's his diaper and that is what the babies are using and getting your attention. Let him use his pullup, point out all the other boys and girls who are not..nicely, not mockingly or sternly..just like, wow...spiderman undies..how cool are they? When you are ready, let me know. Make sure he sees you and your husband in that commode area. And hug him and let him know it is in his control, when he wants, and that if he is wanting to be a baby for a while longer, go ahead. This works if you are a stay at home mom//otherwise the daycare will force the issue! And, i know of no children in kindergarten with diapers....he'll get there. He misses you and loves you!

I have always been told that they will let u know when they are ready to potty. My son will be 3 in january and i have been trying for about 6 months now and still no luck.. He will pee pee in the potty all day long its just the poo poo thing he wont do yet. And yea i still have him in pull ups which i need to just stop buying.. My sister said to put him in underwear and when he wets himself just let him stay in them and he will get the hint..."hey i dont like this" and then maybe that would help.. Good luck to u