Good potty books for ds and for me!

[phlossie]

Can anyone recommend a good book for little potty trainers? I'm also looking for one that will give me some ideas on how best to approach the whole messy affair seeing as I'm struggling to get ds to even sit on his potty!

How old is he? DS LOVES Aliens love Underpants, and The Queen's Knickers, and although it's not about potty training they made him want to wear knickers and keep them clean and dry. We've had a potty for ages, and it was in the toy box for months. DS got to sit on it (with clothes on) to watch telly and read books when he figured out that it was to sit on, and not a hat! We never actually sat him on it, he figured it out after some time.

I spoke to him loads about using his potty, weeks before we actually did the training. I would say for example when changing his nappy 'next time you have a poo you can do it in your potty you know' etc... And we would let him watch when we'd go to the toilet, and let him watch when other toddlers would go to the loo. ANd we got him really nice knickers with pirates on them, and with noddy and he loved them! and one morning, he asked to sit on his potty and had a wee and we took that as a cue to start the training, which took about two weeks more or less, although he still has odd accidents. I can't recommend books for you as we didn't get any. We just went with the flow. Cues to tell you that he is ready is that he can tell you that he is having a poo, and has larger gaps between wees, and is interested in knowing about it (DS started following the other children to the loo for example, and wanted to do like them and sit on the loo). Everyone's different obviously, but this worked for us. We are quite laid back though.

He's 2.2.

You're right about books - I've been doing all those things you mentioned without reading it in a book, so I should let instincts take over. He's definitely interested, tells me when he's having a poo, tells me when his nappy's a 'bit wet'. His potty's been hanging around for ages, but he's not interested. Maybe I'll bring it downstairs so he sees it a bit more often...

Thanks for the book tips!

just a tip- we always leave the potty downstairs even now (trained for about two months) and we put it on an old fabric bath mat. It stops the potty from slipping and makes it more secure for him to sit on. and if there's an accident it's easier to clean than the floor!

First thing in the morning is a good time to sit him on potty as he will be doing a big wee, or about 20 minutes ish after large a drink. I don't see the point of sitting them for ages on a potty if the bladder isn't full. We used to turn on the TV when he would sit on the potty just to distract him a bit, or read him a book.

I think that the 'first' wee/poo he does in his potty is key - our DS got lots of praises and kisses and a chocolate button! then after that he would sit on his potty for ages just to try to wee and get praises again.

2.2 is a bit young, and a lot of people start a bit later then that. DS was 2.3 and it worked absolutly fine, so it depends on them really!

DD 2.2 and we have just started we have a mixed effort so far no poos as yet a few wees and a couple on the floor !!!!..will persevere as don't want to go backwards she doesn't like pants much prefers running round with her bum free but we did go and choose some together which she wants to wear / have given then a rinse today!
Potty stays in kitchen / sitting room for now and we also have a supply of little sweets!!

My DS is 22months and I know it's too early to potty train (he hasn't a clue what hes doing yet) but I picked up a fab book at a car boot called "My Potty Book, A potty book for little boys" and my DS loves it!!

Especially the bit about putting "your botty on the potty" So that might help.

Can I ask a question aswell....... do little boys stand to wee or sit? I know eventually they all stand but do I teach him to stand or sit on the potty?