What's the best thing to do about potty training and pre-school?

[TeWihara]

Over half term DD has (finally!) started showing interest in potty training, and yesterday and today has done really well wearing pants instead of nappies. She does have occasional small accidents, but is able to stop herself as soon as she wets a little, and then go to the potty to finish. She doesn't seem to need to wee that regularly, tbh and seems to be starting to learn to hold it in and do lots in one go.

Because being able to 'feel' when she is wet seems to be helping so much I am really reluctant to put her in pull ups... but she is due back at pre-school tomorrow and thursday for the mornings. They would be okay with her arriving in pants with lots of spare clothes just in case, but I don't know if it would be too distracting and would set her back if she wets herself and doesn't realise/can't stop in the excitement.

It's terrible timing really, but it's taken so long for her to want to do this I don't want to let the opportunity pass by.

We also walk there, it takes around 45mins with no places to stop... (though could bring a potty and just check it in the bushes if necessary I suppose?)

Any thoughts on the best way to handle it?

Hi. If I were you I'd leave her in pants and see how she goes. If she seems embarassed about the weeing in public (if it happens) then let her wear pull ups twice a week. I don't think 2 mornings a week will really make a huge set back. I have twins and they were both so different. Ds2 trained v quickly in the easter hols, had no issues and no accidents. Dd though still has accidents and I used to put her in pull ups for pre school and still do if we are going on a long car journey or visiting someone's house who has a lot of carpet!!! It's just not worth the hassle to her or me, and I'd rather she got it slowly and surely as she just seems to be slower with it (my ds1 was the same) than force her into situations where she and I get stressed out.

Thanks.

I could take a load of pull-ups as well as pants, so we can switch on the way (or the staff can at pre-school) if she gets stressed?

I'd leave her in pants for pre-school - they are usually good about reminding little ones to go to the toilet, and helping them if they need assistance. I wouldn't put her back in pull-ups, because I do feel this is confusing for children - she needs to get into the mind-set of holding onto wees and not just letting it out, and pull-ups will cloud her thinking in this respect. (They are also way too efficient at wicking wetness away, leaving the child feeling dry and comfortable. Not the most helpful result you need at this time!) It's up to you though, you do know her best.

My DS has also finally shown some interest over half-term and started toilet training, so I'm in a similar position to you. Taking a potty with you on your trek to school a good idea IMO.

Thanks for your thoughts, She's had her 2 pre-school days now Noodles, the first day wasn't great (poo in pants, but then dry for the rest of the session) the next day from getting up at 7am, to getting her home at 1pm she hadn't gone to the loo once! So I am rather in awe of her holding in skills, though it's still pretty hit and miss in terms of realising she needs to use the potty in time.

I'm going to give it at least another week I think since she seems happy to keep trying.

Good luck with your DS!