The books are stressing me out

[BlingLoving]

DS is two and not yet ready for potty training IMO. but he's definitely showing signs that this is something we might want to consider in the next few months. So I've been doing some research.

All the books though seem to suggest that potty training usually ahppens between 18 months and 2.5 years. I know this has to be rubbish as I know a lot of children arounds DS' age and only one of them is being potty trained. But it's still stressing me out. I feel like we are somehow massively behind because DS isn't gagging for a potty.

Please reassure me and tell me to chill out? I have bought a book called Potty Training Boys and one of the reasons is that it is of the opinion that potty training doesn't happen until about 2 and a half - 3 years!

Chuck books in bin. Remind self that all children are individuals. He will get there in his own time, they always do. Make cup of tea. Relax

Bollocks to the books - DS is 2.7 and is nowhere near ready; he won't even tell us if he's done a poo!

What we have been doing is sitting him on the potty/toilet before and after bath time and praising if something happens, but if it doesn't we just don't comment and carry on as normal.

I know. And the glory of a Kindle is that I've been getting samples and if they say, "most children are potty trained by two" I promptly don't buy the full book.

'Once Upon A potty' by a genius called Alona Frankel. It's available in book, CD & DVD. She has a girl version & a boy version. Everyone who I've recommended it to has completed potty training within 14 days. The quickest was 4 days (but the Mum is a clinical psychologist, which is kinda like cheating). I cannot recommend it highly enough.

It's embarassing but DS isn't good with books. Completely uninterested. I try not to worry about it - he engages with stories on the ipad and tv and he loves to play and do lots of exciting and fun things. But I come from a family of bookworms and it is just weird to me.

But then, DH doesn't come from a family of bookworms and DS basically is just a mini DH so... I shouldn't be surprised.

Ds2 was nearly four before he would listen to stories or even look at books. He loves them now. Oh and he didn't potty train til he was 3.

Dd1 was 34 months when he potty trained, so don't buy the 2 years rubbish. We used a sticker chart with him, ds2 is currently potty training and like getting claps and doing his happy dance, so we're going down that route.

Potty training boys is very good. I'm not a fan of parenting books generally but I did find that one very useful. And yes 3ish is definitely more realistic, there are physical reasons for this.

It's more like anything between 18 months and 4 years imo! All my children were over 3. My youngest who is now 4 I tried to train at 2.7 - got absolutely nowhere. I tried all sorts - nothing worked. One day (aged 3.3) she decided she wanted to get dressed without nappies and from that moment she used the potty and then pretty quickly the toilet with very few accidents.

The main tip I would give is to buy a potty the child feels happy and comfortable to sit on (a lot of them are very uncomfortable!! I found this out and bought a Baby Bjorn potty chair) and then the rest will follow. It does feel like it will never happen when it seems like everyone else's child is trained and yours isn't but it will, so it's best to try not to stress about it.

Yes Acceptable, it seems quite sensible which I like. I'm not a big fan of any approach that requires instant compliance. DS has proven time and time again, that he responds best when we do the same thing over and over but don't make a fuss about it. So the idea of potty training sessions, with a consistent approach, makes sense. I just need DH to read it now as he'll be doing most of the potty training!

yes, follow your instincts! my only advice is try to keep calm and never get stressed.. i did that mistake..and took long time to potty train because of me!!

I agree, chuck the books in the bin, go with your instincts about when he is ready, it's not something you can force (you can try, and you may eventually get there but I doubt the painful process will be worth it). Start worrying closer to 3.5-4yrs if it still hasn't happened (unlikely).

Re DS's interest in books, don't worry, DD was like this, she used to close books when we tried to read to her, we fretted about it but now (she's just turned 5) we can't stop her, she is reading chapter books!