Potty Training Frustration - Boston,NY

I think I cried as much as my son when starting to potty train him. But all of a sudden it just clicked. Once he understood what it meant to feel like he had to go to the bathroom, it got easier and he got more into trying. I would say definitely don't force her to go and I think we were trying to go every hour, not every 20 minutes. I started out playing games and telling/reading stories while he sat on the potty to try to go and sometimes even that lasted 10-20 minutes with nothing to show for it just to get into the routine.
I found something my son really liked and used it as incentive. He liked DVDs and trips to the park and ice-pops so if he cooperatied and went on the potty or had no accidents at day-care, when he got home he'd get to pick something as a treat. If he didn't cooperate, no reward. Eventually this worked and while the reward had to continue well after he was proficient at the potty, it eased my nerves, was easy to enforce and he seemed much happier. I suggested the reward to my friend and she started seeing progress after a week or two on her 3 year old.
I just kept telling myself that no one goes to kindergarden in diapers! Good luck and be patient.

Based on everything you've written, regardless of her interest, she's clearly not ready. We all want perfect kids who are potty trained early (especially in this economy), but the truth is, she'll do it when she's ready, and not a minute before. By forcing her, you can push her to regress. Just follow her cues. She'll let you know when she's ready.

Don't stress. My daughter did the same exact thing at 2 1/2. She loved wearing her " big girl underwear" but despite my putting her on the toilet every 20 minutes she would still pee on the floor and give me an " I am sorry Mamma". I finally decided that we both needed a rest from the potty training and told her that we were going to stop for a while. I put away her underwear for about 3 weeks and put her back in pull ups. One morning she said she had to go potty ...I put her on the toilet and she went. I praised her ALOT and I have to say she has only had one accident since. She started pre-school in September ( 2 week after she was "trained' ) and she has not had any accidents in school. So try taking a break and see if that helps. When she is really ready she will let you know. I promise it will happen. Hope that helps.

Dear K.,

I think you should lay off for a bit and give it a try in a month or so. If you keep forcing her she will rebel even more. Potty training should be done when you are both relaxed and not uptight. The worst thing you can do is keep haunting her to go. Keep in mind that she is only two and a half and even though she physically can do it emotionally she is not ready. The more or an issue you make of it the more of an issue it will become. Lay off for a few weeks and then maybe take her shopping to buy some big girl underwear and make a big deal out of it. Try to be happy and upbeat and even when she has an accident do not get upset or engage in conversation just change her and remind her she is a big girl and let mommy know next time. I know diapers are costly and a pain, however I think if you lay off for a while she will respond when she is ready. Good luck!!