Potty Training - Smithville,MO

I had 4 girls who all trained by 1 year, I had 2 boys that was much more difficult. If I was near you, I would ask several questions to give the best advice. Have you tried reinforcement yet? Stickers, bragging etc? Do you have a small potty for him to use? You could put a target with marker in the bottom to help his aim. Or put some cherros in the stool to use to aim. Make it non-stressful and fun. If he don't want to get a diaper changed and it is possible, leave it on him. Just don't make a big deal out of things that upset you. He may want the attention. If someone else can help you with this it would be helpful.

Potty training is a hard thing to go through. My oldest daughter is 2 and a half and she'll sit on the potty but not produce (and then, of course, she wants to "wipe" and "flush"). Maybe talking up the "big boys get to sit on the potty and they don't have to have their diaper changed"... perhaps the extrinsic reward of a sticker or a treat. Also, I've heard that there are dolls on the market for helping to potty train. He seems pretty young, I know it can be done, but maybe just give him time. Also, on the changing table, give him something novel to distract him while you change. On another note, I've got my teaching certification and am trying to get a position for next year. Any insight? Thanks, K.

I went through the same thing when my little girl turned two. I would sit her on the potty every two hours and struggle to keep her there for two minutes (per the Baby Whisperer) Finally after about a week of this I stopped trying and she kept telling me when she needed her diaper changed and many times I would let her go without a diaper if she would fight me. One day she just started using the potty. She's not perfect yet but she's getting there. I spend a lot of time cleaning messes up off the carpet but it seemed to work. I also use the video "Elmo's Potty Time" it's really great and she loves it!

When I was potty training my daughter she was the same way. I don't know if your child is in daycare, but what I did was on the weekends I put her on some panties and she walked around the house with panties on, and when she wet on herself I let her feel it and she didn't like that feeling and within a couple of weeks she was potty trained. Maybe that will work, but you have to remember that all children develop differently.

It's great that he tells you when he is going, but if he doesnt' want to sit on the potty and you are unable to entice him (M&Ms, cheerios, etc.) I would wait a little longer. I have boys and I learned the hard way that boys just plain old aren't ready to potty train until closer to age 3. It's easier just to wait than to try to coax them before they're really, really ready. It will save you lots of heartache and headache if you wait until he's more enthusiastic about actually SITTING on a potty. Maybe try having him go with you to the store to pick one out? That helped with my kids.

I recently purchased the "3 Day Potty Training" Ebook online. My son just turned 2 yesterday and is doing great with the technique they mention. I would suggest going to their website and downloading this. It's truly great and everything makes sense. You just have to absolutely not plan anything for 3 days...and it does work! Try it...it's at least worth a shot. I will tell you though that they suggest stopping any other potty training technique that you are currently using for 30 days to get a clean slate for your little one! Good Luck!

Only a couple thoughts. All kids are different. If he doesn't want to sit down let him stand up to pee. Dads are great teachers at that (!) Talk to him don't rush him. My oldest potty trained at 14 months and my next son was not potty trained #2 until he was 2 1/2. My daughter toook the longest at around 2 1/2 -3. Just be supportive and don't punish him, or have negative consequences or let anyone judge or make fun of him. If you can let him run around without the diaper and get him "big boy" underwear - WHATVER his fav cartoon character. And follow your instincts and his signals.