Tips for Potty Training 2 1/2 Yr Old Girl

we are in the same situation! I did just like you mentioned, stickers, then m&m's, etc. so far we are about 90% trained during the day for about a week. I really do think it's different for each child, but what I found really helped 'click' was the Potty Power dvd. I actually got ours on our netflix (well blockbuster, but same deal) and she LOVED it. we had had books and the elmo video too but for some reason she really just loved the Potty Power one. I also started giving her an m&m for 'practicing' and then some fruit snacks as a 'treat' when she did go. I have to laugh because before the Potty Power dvd everytime we'd ask her if she had to go potty she'd answer "No thanks". LOL

You might also find helpful is this website I found and was ready to purchase, but then she started going on her own so I didn't buy it. http://www.3daypottytraining.com/ I haven't heard anything about it, but it might be worth a try?

Good luck!!!

Hi D.,
I successfully potty trained my kids pretty quickly, and here's what I did:
Put them in the pullups with the wetness liner for about 2 weeks (don't keep them in the pullups for too many weeks, or it stops bothering them);
In the second week, I talked up the "big girl/big boy" aspects of underwear;
Whenever the kids successfully used the potty, they got rewards (I used M&Ms);
The next Saturday, I put them in underwear and planned on spending the entire weekend at home. The first day, for both kids, there were a few accidents. But the next day was pretty accident free.
By the time my kids were back at school on Tuesday, I'd say they were trained.
Good luck!
C.

When I potty trained my daughter, I purchased at KMart the plastic outer panty to go over her thick panties that way when there was an accident it did not leak. Also I bought inexpensive new toys from the goodwill and placed one in the corner of the bathroom. After she earned so many stickers (consecutive pottys) she got the toy. Lastly I eventually bought videos on potty training that I think did the trick. Just her seeing her favorite characters teach potty training was interesting.
Good luck- I have to start my 2 year old son soon.

With my third child Who recently achieved potty training success, the m&m's did the trick. Also plenty of time just being in undies or naked helped her be more aware of her need to go. I did it just like you said along with a happy potty dance on the way to the bathroom. That was about 6 months ago and she dosen't need m&m's any more. that faded away after about a month or so.I am not sure I would put her on the potty myself so often. I would want to avoid it becoming a power struggle. My little girl is adamant about if she dose not need to go or dose. So I have just had to trust her and sometimes she was wrong. But she got to really learn for herself. When she is makes it to the potty dry I have always told her "wow! you really know how to listen to your body". And now she'll tell me" mommy I listened to my body". So impowering to know what your body needs! Good luck

My daughter is just over 2 and is fully potty trained. As a nutrition major and RN using food/candy as rewards is setting up eating disorders in young children.
Just follow your daughter ques if she is able to pull her own pants down and she can hold her pee for a long time then she is probably ready. Remember this is one of the few things they have control of so making it a postive experience for them. I encourage letting her be around kids that are potty trained and she see how easy it is to stop and go potty. My daughter didn't want to use the potty for awhile until we decorated the potty chair and made it look new.
Good luck and have fun!

2 1/2 year olds want to be in control. If she senses that using the potty is an issue with you, she will resist it. Don't let her get you frustrated and expect accidents. Don't ask "do you have to go potty?" instead, say "You tell Mommy when you have to potty" or "Remember, you will tell me when you have to use the potty". Wording like this puts her in control of her own bladder. If there is an accident, play it down and do not reprimand. Stay positive with her even if you feel like tearing your hair out.

Also, the 3 Day Potty training system was been very successful for many friends of mine, all who have twins or triplets. All the Mom's swear by the 3 Day system.

Good luck!!!

Go to Party City or some other party store and check out the party favors. A variety will keep her interested.

The potty party worked great for my daughter, she was trained in one day!
Go to Wishing Well or another party supply store and buy poppers, noise makers, hats, etc... tell your daughter that she has to take her baby doll (or whatever her favorite doll/stuffy is) to the potty and when the doll goes potty throw it a party with your party supplies while it's on the toilet. A few times of doing that every 15 minutes-30 minutes and your daughter will want her own party... before you know it she'll be going on the toilet. It worked in one day for my kid... nothing wrong with doing it the whole weekend... but I'd avoid going over 4 days in a row as the whole effect will ware off for your daughter.
Good luck,
R.

D. - My daughter was trained at 2 years old with hardly any help! She was just ready. In fact, she showed an interest, so I went with it, but told my friends, "I know this isn't really time yet." And ALL of them said, "YES it is! There's a window that happens around 2 years old. If you lose this window, it's another year before they will be interested again!" I was very skeptical about a 2 year old being able to hold it, etc., but my daughter did it! I did not ask, I told her about every hour, "It's time to go potty." It was not her choice; we went in and she sat on the potty and we read books, sang songs, etc. If she went, I really praised her. If, after a few minutes she didn't go, I said, "Well, I guess we'll try again later." And that was that. Not long after she was consistent, I took her to the doctor with a suspected urinary tract infection. I knew they'd want a urine sample, so I told her to try to hold it until we got there because they would want her to pee in a cup. As soon as we arrived, we went in and she said, "I have to pee. Where's the cup?" It was so funny! But she really did hold it. So the bottom line is, when she's ready, she'll be trained quickly. Just don't get too stressed about it. Good luck!