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Original poster

3 today - pants tomorrow! We're going cold turkey on nappies.....

196 replies

Washersaurus · 19/07/2008 21:18

Is this a really bad idea?

We have tried potty training before a few months ago but DS1 treated the potty like an optional extra.

We have been building up to him not wearing nappies after his birthday and he seems to understand.

Does anyone have any advice/wisdom/experiences to share?

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midnightexpress · 21/07/2008 13:50

Hope today is going better washersaurus and trip to supermarket went OK. We are doing pretty well with ds1 - he had two wee accidents when out on Saturday and none at all yesterday when we stayed home, plus two poos on the toilet (for which he gets an extra sticker) so maybe that's the way to go if you can. We've also been rahrahrahing up a storm and have also phoned grannies so that he can tell them (apart from cars and stickers, he also LOVES yakking on the phone, so that's a real treat for him). V sweet 'Granny granny my poo loked like a suasage dog!' etc.

Does he still have a nap? DS1 does, and I'm not sure what people do about this? We've been putting him back in a nappy, as we do at bedtime, though I'm pretty sure they don't do that at nursery so how does it work - do you just risk a wet bed for a while?

Original poster
Washersaurus · 21/07/2008 17:00

Sounds like potty training is a breeze at your place Midnight - maybe I could send you DS1 for a while and you could sort him out

I have had an appalling morning; DS1 had 2 wees in pants before breakfast, so I left him pantless whilst I had a shower only for him to poo over the bedroom carpet and his little people toys (yuk), I cleaned him up and redressed him and he instantly wet himself again. He later pooed in his pants in the garden and also pooed in his pants at the shop.

DS2 has been playing in the potty too every time I turn my back to clean up DS1

I lost my temper this morning (How NOT to potty train), but calmed myself down and have been upbeat and postive and ignoring the wet pants this afternoon. DS1 seems a bit happier and has even asked for the potty a couple of times this afternoon. We are going sticker crazy!

He refuses to have a proper daytime nap these days, but is currently asleep in the buggy with a towel under him after our trip to the shop. I'm not sure what will happen, but hopefully he won't wee on my Phil & Teds .

I think nursery do tend to put them in nappies when they have their lunchtime nap. I will check when I drop him off on Weds. Gawd I can't wait until nursery day - let them deal with I say

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midnightexpress · 21/07/2008 18:44

Oh poor you - that sounds a bit grim, though dare I say it does sound as if the pm was a bit more positive?

I don't know about a breeze, though (so far) it has been remarkably easy, I must say. DS1 is somewhat...erm...precocious though, so he seems to just get on with things generally. I suspect when it comes to ds2, who lives a life of great sturm und drang, things may prove somewhat more interesting. But I'll worry about that later (I still have to tackle weaning him, at 18 months...).

DS1 has his first morning nappy-free at nursery tomorrow so I'll let you know what they say about naps - ds1 doesn't actually stay there for his, but I'll be interested to know how they do it anyway.

Oh and we bought ds1 a box of those Kandoo bottom wipes today and he loves pressing the button and pulling one out and is v keen on his special wipes so might be worth a try if you haven't already purchased?

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simpson · 21/07/2008 18:47

Sorry you have had a tough day washeraurus. Guess all you can do is take each day as it comes.

We are taking DS to the zoo tomorrow (the reason we did not start potty training on sat straight after playgroup broke up)then wed its cold turkey in this household too [hmmm]

Not sure how it will go and Dh not huge help as he tends to tell him off if he wees on the floor.

Also not looking to being stuck in house, but we do have a decent sized garden so will let him run round in his pants and hope for the best.

funnypeculiar · 21/07/2008 20:29

Oh, washersaurus That sounds pretty tough.
Dd is proving much easier, but ds was like that. I honestly think it was one of the hardest weeks of parenting - well, lets be honest, it was a good two weeks before he really got it. There's only so much shit you can clean up whilst still smiling, & it somehow feels like they carefully CHOOSE the most awkward places/times to deposit too....

That said, I'm shaking my pompoms with midnight express - pm sounds MUCH more positive - proactively asking for the potty is a big step, don't underestimate that!

BobsWendy · 21/07/2008 20:48

hi can I join in too? I started training ds1 (2.10) on Saturday, we did well on Sat, terrible yesterday and middling today, as in about 4 wees and 1 poo in the loo and about 4 wees and 1 poo in pants. I'm losing my mind already.

We're chancing going to a mother and toddler group tomorrow, am I mad?

I feel so frustrated, already, I'm really trying to be patient. Everyone I know seems to have cracked it in a weekend, I'm praying it'll be tonnes better by this time next week??

simpson · 21/07/2008 21:02

Hi Bobswendy - Let us know how you get on at toddler group. Am supposed to be going to library reading session for kids on thurs not sure if I will brave it yet [hmmm]

Original poster
Washersaurus · 21/07/2008 22:18

Thank you all for your support, and positive vibes for to everyone currently potty training .

The afternoon was definitely more postive than this morning, mainly because he was asleep for quite a while . BUT he did stay dry during his nap and did a big wee on the potty when he woke up!

I did spot him doing something in his pants in the garden just before tea so quickly whisked him onto the potty to find he was already wet and half way through pooing , but we caught the poo in the potty luckily. Other than that he is utterly freaked out by the thought of pooing on the potty.

I have to say that this is the WORST bit of parenting so far; I felt like running for the hills earlier. I mean, exactly how many poos does one small boy need to do in one day?

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Washersaurus · 21/07/2008 22:21

OMG did I mention that DH has planned a family camping trip this weekend too

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moodlumthehoodlum · 21/07/2008 22:23

Don't worry Washy - ds cheerfully wee'd all over the floor at the gp's waiting room today. The two uber cool people in their early twenties looked at us like we had just come in from the cave. They were horrified.

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Washersaurus · 21/07/2008 22:32

Oh moodlum, other people tutting etc is all you need ey? Thank gawd they didn't run into me with my little red potty just outside lidl cleaning up DS1's pooey arse then!

Seriously, DH had to cook tea when he got in as I just couldn't do it - All I have done today is clean up wee and poo. I seriously don't have the patience to continue like this, especially as my every action is hindered by DS2 hanging off my trouser leg screaming for attention.

I think I may return to work and put DS2 into nursery full-time when he needs to potty train

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moodlumthehoodlum · 21/07/2008 22:38

LOL.

I've had the same day as you but with the added amusement of dd (only 15mo older than ds) remarking everytime ds wee'd in his pants "Oh come on.. you're better than this, you know you are.."

I've given up tho' its back to pull ups for the youngest hoodlum tomorrow.

BobsWendy · 21/07/2008 22:39

tell me about washersaurus, ds2 is screaming everytime I need to do anything vaguely constructive with ds1 and the toilet. The pair are driving me mad. My friend and I used to tut tut over people who asked the creche to potty train their kids, now I want to find a creche to do it o LOL!!! I am soooooooo stressed over it. Who knows what tomorrow will bring.

Don't worry simpson, I'll deffo let you know!

Original poster
Washersaurus · 21/07/2008 22:46

Good luck with the outings bobwendy and simpson - It feels like we'll never be able to leave the house again . I will definitely be giving the library a miss this week I think!

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BobsWendy · 22/07/2008 08:09

Thanks, I'm not sure I want to risk it, but think I have to for all our sanity!! I'm sitting here waiting for him to wake up, the suspense is killing me over how good or bad the day is going to go, I couldn't sleep last night and even shed a few tears. Nothing has challenged and consumed me so much in ages, is this natural? I just want it to be DONE.

midnightexpress · 22/07/2008 09:46

At the risk of sounding like a psycho-analyst, it is all so deeply psychological, isn't it? I left DS1 at nursery this morning looking very...thoughtful. Much the same as he did when the Easter bunny went off with his milk bottle a while ago. I don't know that I wouldn't prefer him to just poo on the floor. What is he thinking? He got up yesterday morning and announced 'Daddy, today I'm going to be really bad'. There is something strange going on in his head and I'm not sure what...

Hope today is a good one washersaurus and all the rest of you

BobsWendy · 22/07/2008 12:31

Am fit to scream. So far ds1 has weed in the toilet when he got up, pooed in his pants, weed on the floor at playgroup and now at lunch time just pooed in his pants again. I want to cry. It shouldn't be this hard?

funnypeculiar · 22/07/2008 12:45

Hello fellow sufferers

The dcs are at the childminder today, so waiting to see how dd copes - but yesterday was defn a good day (we were out at friends houses in am & pm, and her only accidents were at home in between!)

I have to say (& I really try NOT to make these broad gender swipes) but girls are so much better at this than boys. After my 'fun' with ds I was absolutely dreading potty training - in comparison, dd is a breeze, and we're doing it at the same age (slightly earlier) with them both giving the same sort of signals, etc etc

simpson · 22/07/2008 18:11

Hi

How has everyone got on today?

Had a great time at the zoo but feel like I am being sent to prison [sob] no outings for a while me thinks!!

DS seems quite keen have showed him empty nappy packet and said no more daytime nappies etc, he picked out his pants for tomorrow. Thought about putting pic of the scooter he wants on fridge but don't him to feel a failure if he can't get the hang of it straight away.

DS is sooo tired he has gone to bed already First time he has EVER gone to bed before his 6 month old sister.

I am ducking out tomorrow afternoon with DD to see what is left in the Next sale so will have to have words with DH about toilet training. He is going to find it stressful I think...

Not that I am going to sail through this!! Last time we tried 3mths ago I ended up sobbing after 3 days and we gave up

simpson · 22/07/2008 18:33

What is everyone putting on their sofa BTW?? Last time we tried to potty train there was a lingering smell of wee for ages even after totally cleaning. Do you put a towel down under DC?

MrsDougRoss · 22/07/2008 18:39

i used pampers disposable changing mats under a sheet Simpson.
Also stick with it, we struggled then it clicked, he got it and then we had about 1 accident a week (never any out) and we have just had a full dry week, he is now using the toilet which he prefers. Certainly reward each wee, otherwise it may be a little confusing, we bought lots of magazines and took the stickers from them, so they were stickers he liked, roary, bob etc.

BobsWendy · 22/07/2008 19:08

How long did it take to reach the 1 accident a week MDR? We are on day 4, 4 accidents and 4 successes in the loo. How does that sound do you think?

simpson · 22/07/2008 20:09

BobsWendy - If am in the same situation as you four days in I would be pleased.At least you have got something in the potty! Last time we tried potty training about 3 mths ago I gave up after 3 days - all accidents NOTHING in potty!!
Think you are doing fab, its just the worst thing to have to do, cleaning poo off carpet and furniture etc. Am sure I will be fit to SCREAM this time tomorrow

midnightexpress · 22/07/2008 20:35

Hi all, hope your days were good. DS1 managed his morning at nursery just fine and only had 1 accident this afternoon - a poo. I think he was a bit over-excited as both the gas man and the builder were here at the time and he had already processed solemnly from the loo to show them his box of bottom wipes and waved his pants in the gas man's face ( - still, at least it's not me) before treating him to a rendition of 'If you're happy and you know it'.

He also got caught short in the neighbour's garden and had to do a wee in their flower bed - we haven't quite mastered the peeing outside thing yet so most of it ended up down his trousers - our fault not his . It wouldn't have been so bad, but it was the first time we'd met them as we've recently moved here and I had targeted them as the neighbours with dcs the same age as ours. Hey ho. Anyhoo, I believe it is very good for compost, so I will have to master holding him over the compost bin once we get it up and running.

Like MrsDougRoss ds1 seems to prefer using the toilet to a potty - we got him one of those little seats to put on it and a stool (good for 'bearing down' iykwim).

Original poster
Washersaurus · 22/07/2008 21:59

Well it sounds like everyone is making some progress at least.

DS1 was an absolute star this morning and only had one wet accident (whilst I had a shower and left DH looking after him). So postive was I of his success, I took him out to my sisters house (on the train), where he started well using the potty, but got carried away with playing and we had a few wet accidents and lots of skiddy poo pants!

He seems so much more confident about it today and has lots of stickers on his chart. He isn't sure about pooing yet though, we have even promised him a different Disney Car if he can produce one on the potty, but he sits for a while and gets upset that he can't do it.

I bet he stays dry all day at nursery tomorrow....

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