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Parenting

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Original poster

advice for soon-to-be potty training...

11 replies

americantrish · 01/05/2007 16:04

if you could give one (or two) pieces of advice on potty training (a boy - 2 3/4 years old) - what would it be?

also; what didn't you have at the start of potty training that you now wish you would have, if anything?

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StinkyPete · 01/05/2007 19:46

make washing hands part of the 'toilet experience' right from the start, maybe with some squirty soap.
we had an eggcup with one (tiny) sweet for sitting on the toilet, helping with clothes and washing hands. I realise sweets aren't for everyone - so insert treat of your choice!!

Dottydot · 01/05/2007 19:48

My one piece of advice is to wait until they're ready - if they haven't started trying to use the potty/toilet themselves, or aren't into the idea, then don't bother with it yet!

Apatosaurus · 01/05/2007 19:55

Agree with dottydot.

Allow your ds to choose his own potty (Oh and get 2, one for upstairs and one for downstairs), and his own big boy pants. Doing those certainly made my dd really excited about starting!

We used a sticker chart, and stuck a smartie on the chart every third box (i.e wee/poo=sticker, wee/poo=sticker, wee/poo=smartie etc etc), dd really loved doing it and 'working' towards getting the smarties.

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Original poster

americantrish · 02/05/2007 11:42

he's definitely keen on washing his hands after he sits on the toilet, even though he is just sitting there. we definitely think he's getting ready for it..he didnt like the small potty so we got one of those inserts for the toilet (that he picked out from mothercare and matching step stool) - now i just need to get my bravery up and start! ;)

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IdrisTheDragon · 02/05/2007 11:46

Have more than one potty. And make sure it is big enough that the wee doesn't go everywhere (although with boys you can at least poke their willy down. I am now discovering the lack of this ability with DD who seems to have a fountain action . With DS I found that part much easier ).

IdrisTheDragon · 02/05/2007 11:47

Have just read your last post . I think my potty advice may be redundant .

Original poster

americantrish · 03/05/2007 10:20

i have to admit, i'm potty-training clueless (mostly) and nervous about it! although i know if i'm anxious, he'll pick up on it!

to moms out there again: ds doesnt exactly say when he's got to wee or poo, although sometimes he will grab at himself - do you think its absolutely a must he tells me/dh when he needs to go, or will he learn as we get on with potty training, or am i setting myself up for a big failure if i start now without him telling me?

(oh just what i need! something else to be neurotic over! ;) j/k!)

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IdrisTheDragon · 03/05/2007 10:22

In my experience it takes a little while fotr them to know when they are about to wee or poo - at the beginning take them regalrly and after a while it all falls into place (or just falls all over the floor ).

Potty training was one of the things I was most worried about with DS, and honestly, it was fine .

nogoes · 03/05/2007 10:29

Americantrish, I'm going to start pottytraining ds tomorrow too, he is the same age as your ds. We tried at Christmas but he got upset so decided to leave it a while. I think we will mainly use the toilet too as he doesn't seem keen on the potty because he has never seen anyone use one.

Good luck!

time4tea · 03/05/2007 19:28

thanks this is useful for me too, my DS 3 and 2 months, has mentioned wanting to wee or poo occasionally, but regularly poos his nappy and doesn't seem bothered, says he wants his nappy, not interested in training pants.. should i offer the potty (with stickers for incentives, which his excellent nursery recommended)or leave it. its not clear to me whether I am too early or not (maybe not being sure = him really not ready) - would appreciate your views, as don't want to be upsetting to him

Shoshable · 03/05/2007 19:45

Ive been a CM for 26 years and Ive always done it this way, does seem to work.

Day 1 - 3 no clothes, ask if they want the potty, at least every 1/2 hour. Expect lots of accidents.

Day 4-7 Providing child is now making it to the potty, pants on, still reminding, first couple of days will result in wet pants, but by day 7, usually making it to the potty.

Day 7 onwards trousers on as well, still asking often, take potty EVERYWHERE with you.

If this doesn't work, would say the child isn't ready. Have done it with children from 20 months - 4 years, they are ready when they are ready, boys in general are later than girls, but saying that just had a boy dry at 22 months and a girl not till almost 4. !

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