About to start...any tips?

[dreamingofwineandcheese]

We are going to start potty training DS at the weekend. We have 2 days(3 if needed) where we can just be at home. I'm going to make a star chart with DS so he can have a star everytime he goes on to toilet/potty (he gets stickers at nursery for helping and reacts very positively so thought this might help). Also I have a timer for the first few days that we can set for every 30 mins to take him to the loo (recommended by a close friend who is a nursery teacher).

Anything else that I haven't thought of or any tips? DS is 2.4 he tells is when he is about to do a wee/poo so I'm pretty sure he's ready. I just feel so nervous!

[BikeRunSki]

we've given up early but we're thinking she's still not quite ready and needs a bit more time. I feel very disappointed but I can't force her if she won't sit on the potty and the amount of accidents she had today was distressing her a lot.

Absolutely the right thing to do, and 2.4 is still young. She knows that there is a choice now. She'll tell you when she is ready.

I tried potty training DS at 2.7. After 3 days we had not had much success, so I stopped. A week later he asked for pants and used the potty of his own accord. He potty trained wees and poos, night and day within about a fortnight.

[LittlePink]

Thanks to you both. At bath time she got in the bath, stood up immediately and said ooh I've done a wee! So we said oh that's ok never mind! Then I put the potty up high in the bathroom where it lived before to tidy up and she asked for it and did a big wee in it! So confusing this potty business but as dh said let her lead the way with it now. Don't offer but don't refuse if she asks. So will just take the pressure off and let her say when she's ready and wants to go on it.

[OhGodImAFreak]

We did a sticker for each try, and a smartie for every successful wee/poo (which only means a few a day) and worked a treat!

[dreamingofwineandcheese]

We are the same OhGod we are having to use a bit of chocolate bribery (one chocolate button so doesn't add up to too much) to get him on the potty then he gets a star for doing anything.

The struggle in getting DS to sit on the potty once he's there he will have a wee if he needs one. Also trying to trust him when he says he doesn't need one but sometimes it's because he'd rather be playing!

[Muskey]

Whatever happens (or doesn't) just take a deep breath and relax

[dreamingofwineandcheese]

LittlePink I think you are right to let her lead the way. It sounds like she is getting there in her own time. I find if I force things with DS he gets upset.

[IpsyUpsyDaisyDo]

How's it going today dreaming?

DD woke up this morning with a VERY full nappy (including a huge poo!) but did ask to sit on the potty herself, so that was something. DH got her to nursery dry and handed her over! I'm hoping that being part of the cohort who all trot off to their potties will do the trick & help her crack it. She's ft at nursery so fingers crossed next weekend won't be as dull as this one has just been!

LittlePink, how's your DD doing today with less pressure?

[dreamingofwineandcheese]

That's great Ipsy. I kind of wish DS was at nursery today for the same reasons but it's half term so closed!

Today has been a mixed bag, once again DS had done a poo on waking. He's been going on the potty but has also had a few accidents (one of which was because he was distracted covering himself and the sofa in sudocream ) but I keep reminding myself it's only day 3 so not to get disheartened at the accidents!

[LittlePink]

I couldn't have handled another day indoors so went out to meet friends for a walk in the park and lunch. Stupidly didn't take pushchair not realising how far we would walk and DD wanted carrying on the way back to the car. Every time I put her down she fell down on the ground crying and begging to be carried. Being 30 weeks pregnant this almost killed me and if we'd have had accidents and a change of clothes needed under her splash suit and wellies this would have tipped me over the edge so was very glad we weren't potetting it or dealing with accidents!

She managed to sit on the potty at nappy change this morning for quite a while whilst playing the cbeebies app on my phone but she didn't produce anything which is fine. Just to get her to sit on it was progress after yesterday.

Let us know how your DD goes at nursery today.

Hope your DS is doing well today aswell dreaming.

[ThoughtsPlease]

I don't know whether this helps anyone when going out, but with my DS who is now 2.5 and potty trained, at the start I used to put a pull-up on over his pants when going out.

I have 2 older girls and we started during the summer term just after he was 2, we had school runs and after school activities, time critical things to get to, so this saved puddles and wet clothes care seats etc. It contained the accident, but he still knew he was wet obviously, and allowed for a wipe and change of just pants as soon as possible.

I found this useful so thought I'd share.

[LittlePink]

Yes that is helpful. Thanks. Will remember that when venturing out when we finally do get to the proper potty training stage as ive backed off on the cold turkey for the time being.

[IpsyUpsyDaisyDo]

I've heard several people recommend that technique ThoughtsPlease, definitely something to bear in mind - particularly as it does still give them the 'wet' feeling if they do have an accident that they need to learn from.

[IpsyUpsyDaisyDo]

Amazed at nursery pick-up, DD in the SAME leggings and pants she was wearing when DH dropped her off! Not much in the potty, but no accidents either - and then we got home and she did a massive wee in her potty while watching Peppa! VERY proud mummy here (and one who's more than happy to outsource this bit of parenting! )

[dreamingofwineandcheese]

Wow Ipsy that's fantastic for day 3!

We had a very shaky start to the day with a couple of accidents both 5 minutes after sitting on the potty and doing a wee! DS was in a very mischievous mood this morning (which I'm putting down to him being tired) and was generally quite naughty which isn't like him. After nap time he was much better with no accidents at all and even managed a walk in the woods. I was quite stressed this morning I will admit and even questioned myself as to why we have embarked on this but I know we are doing the right thing!

I'm going to start venturing out as of tomorrow as I don't think being cooped up at home I helping things, will just have to pack the potty and plenty of clothes!

[dreamingofwineandcheese]

Thoughtsplease thank you that is very useful. I was thinking of popping a little hand towel under him in the car to save washing the seat if he had an accident but that sounds much better.

[ThoughtsPlease]

You're welcome, I still do it at nap time now, but it has been quite some time since it was necessary. He doesn't mind putting the pull up so I have just continued with it for now. He waits to go to the loo when he was woken up, but he wees in his nappy in the morning, and tells me as he's doing it, so he knows the difference!

[IpsyUpsyDaisyDo]

Two steps forward, one step back - three accidents at nursery today, one wee on-target, no poos and now she's refusing to even sit on the potty!

[dreamingofwineandcheese]

How frustrating for you Ipsy! I hope tomorrow is better for you.

We have had just one wee accident today so that's good. No accidents at all while we were out at softplay which I was really pleased with as I was expecting one! We have yet to do a poo though and DS hasn't been at all today so I just hope he's not holding it in.

[IpsyUpsyDaisyDo]

Hmmm, doesn't feel like things are progressing much... A couple of accidents at nursery & one as soon as we got home
She doesn't want to do the regular sitting on the potty now but isn't saying she wants to do a wee either... Stickers have lost their allure! Nursery don't seem too bothered, they reckon it will be another week at least before she's fully got the hang of it.

[dreamingofwineandcheese]

It's frustrating isn't it, Sunday morning DS decided he wasn't going to sit on the potty but I think it's because I was constantly asking him the day before!

Today we haven't had any accidents at all and we were out all morning. The good thing is he likes going to the loos when we are out as he loves washing his hands. At home I'm having to bribe him with the Cbeebies app but he still hasn't had a poo so that's two days now, I hope he goes tomorrow.

[IpsyUpsyDaisyDo]

More accidents today
Nursery said although she is definitely ready for it, she's taking a bit of time to get the hang of it and relax - she perches on the edge of the potty, all tense and suspicious! They are happy to keep going, as long as I'm happy to keep washing her pants and leggings!
Another dull, potty-centred weekend coming up I think, I'd better get the in!

[LittlePink]

It's very frustrating isn't it and hard not to show it! Dd has taken to sitting on potty at nappy change in morning and at bath time. Problem is she sits there for ages and ages and won't budge or let me leave her side and doesn't produce a thing. It's good that she's getting used to sitting on it but really boring waiting for her to get on and do something! Patience, must have patience!

[dreamingofwineandcheese]

I think it just takes them time to get used to it, it must be so different for them. DS is still doing well and we had our first poo on the toilet today (although he did start to go in his pants) so that feels like quite an achievement

I wonder how going back to nursery next week will affect it. He's not interested in going on the potty when he's busy playing or having fun, that's when I have to bribe him and obviously they won't do that. We will just have to wait and see I suppose.

Enjoy your wine Ipsy I'm sure it won't be long before your DD has the hang of it.

[dreamingofwineandcheese]

Yes LittlePink I have learnt the real meaning of patience this week I think! At least she is sitting on the potty that's a good sign.

[IpsyUpsyDaisyDo]

Well ladies, how do we think things are going one week on? Seems like we've all had a few wins, but also hit some walls as well...

DD is now doing at least 3 accidents in the day, resisting sitting on the potty, sitting super-tense when she does, saving her poo for the times she has a nappy on... Not looking great really!
The nursery are great, say she's not not ready, just needs to get into the swing of it & isn't being particularly slow about it. They've said we'll review it again this time next week & if there's no improvement we might go down the pull-ups route, rather than the pants-cold-turkey method. So we'll see - not feeling like we're doing a terribly good job with it at the moment...