So there isn't a point when they just 'get it'?

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Would welcome some feedback. I've been hearing lots of stories about how people's children have decided one day they want to use a potty and have got it straight off. They always say they just left it and the child decided one day.

Well, DD announced on Xmas eve she wanted to wear pants and not nappies but promptly wet herself and I had to get in car to go to my parents so put a nappy over the top of the next pants and she didn't tell at all she was wet. Gave up.

This morning again she announced she wanted pants not a nappy so we did. During the day she has done about 5 wees in a potty or on the loo and only had 1 accident. I have been banging on all day though and she ended the day crying about not wanting the potty or the loo (but still performed).

Is there such a thing as a magical moment or am as near as you get? Feel bad about forcing/bribing her to go but if most people do have to go through this stage it is worth it. I mean if I leave it a bit will I still have to bribe?

With DS we tried and tried, then one day it really was like someone flicked a switch! No idea why, it just did! You don't give her age. We had to bribe him with a sweet initially as he had no interest in a sticker chart.

Are you rewarding her when she does it in the potty or toilet? We're using chocolate buttons and it's working well (only day four), no accidents today.

Did seem to click with DD on about day 3, we did leave it till she she was almost 3. But now she is 3 and 2 weeks and is dry at night too. We hada bit of simular thing in the first few days. Sounds like your doing fine, id say keep it up for a week then reasses?

She is 2.6. My parents look after her on a Monday so they did it all today. She did 3 wees on the potty and got a reward. No accidents. When I came home she did a wee on the toilet to get a choc button as I had promised them on my return! Then she managed to squeeze out a poo on the loo (tiny!) for 'an even bigger treat' (smelt a funny smell and panicked!).

First thing this morning she asked for a nappy but I thought, no point spending a day enforcing it to go back so soon?!

She is at nursery tomorrow so I hope it all goes okay! Have promised her a chocolate button for every wee in the potty at nursery once she comes home. Am hopeful!

Thanks for the replies

She's the same age as my DS. He's my first, and so I'm not saying anything from any point of experience or knowledge, but it all sounds pretty standard, much what we've been through.

Don't give in yet - even though there are accidents, just brave it out. And nursery...well, they're paid professionals, they will have seen it all before. My wonderful nursery staff have taken it all in their stride.

Sounds like she is doing brilliantly! I think the flick of the switch often comes after they have wet themselves a few times and realised exactly what is going on. She's fairly young too so definitely doing well. Her nursery will definitely be used to dealing with accidents while children are potty training so they shouldn't bat an eyelid!

Nursery were brilliant today. They did a reward card for her (she had earned 7 stickers) and said she was asking to go! Very pleased (hope I am not being premature!)

She did ask to be 'a little girl with a nappy' again this morning but again a few bribes brought her round

DS3 declared he wanted pants a week ago. We have had v few accidents. Few little dribbles but he doesn't always position himself correctly!