Not telling me she needs to go

[M0reGinPlease]

Another potty training woe from me

We seem to be getting there... slowly. But she rarely tells me she needs to go, it's more when I prompt her, or insist, like we're about to go out / eat etc.

She's just been playing and when I went in she was doing a bit of a 'wee dance' I asked her and she said she didn't need to go, but I came back in two minutes later and she'd weed all over the floor. When I asked her why she didn't go to the toilet she said she didn't feel like going to the bathroom! She's so stubborn.

So I guess what I'm asking is, is it okay that she mostly only goes when we ask and will it come with time that she starts telling us when she needs to go? It's only been a couple of week I know but I just thought it would be so much easier than this (background, she's almost three, very bright with excellent language skills, definitely ready, understands the whole thing, just very much can't be bothered).

Don't phrase it as a question because you're giving her the opportunity to say no. Phrase it as a statement 'I can see you need the toilet. Lets go now before we read a book etc'

Or 'I can see you need to wee. The potty is there when you need it' and then walk away.

It can take them a while to recognise they need to go and often it's at CV the point of no return. You're doing great. She's still very young

She's just done it again, both times today in front of the telly. I've just (internally counted to ten and taken a deep breath) told her calmly but firmly the telly is going off and she won't be watching it any more until she can start to tell me when she needs to go or go when I ask with no protesting

She did a big wee about half an hour ago so I was waiting a bit longer before taking her again. She waited until I left the room for literally thirty seconds then did it. Arghhh! 🤦‍♀️

I'm having the same issue with my 3 year old and she starts nursery next week so I'm getting a bit stressed! I also have a 7 year old with a bladder problem honestly I just feel like crying about the whole situation.

It's really difficult to know how to react when you're sure they're doing it on purpose. Obviously I understand not telling them off for genuine accidents but this isn't like that... she genuinely can't be bothered / thinks it's funny.

I’m having the same issue with my DS. He’s 2.6 and knows where he’s meant to pee and poop and will happily use the toilet/potty when he wants to but he’s so stubborn. He’ll stand and pee in his pants if he doesn’t feel like using the toilet/potty.

I feel your pain M0reGinPlease

We've actually turned a corner Clothbum I'm not sure it's anything I did, so I can't really offer any advice, but she's started asking to go and as a result I've stopped asking her so often, so she genuinely does need to go when she asks to and we make a big fuss of how clever she is (which she previously wasn't bothered by, but like I said, seems to have turned a corner). Hang in there! in the meantime!

Ah that’s fab!

I’m really hoping my little boy decides it’s better to use the potty whatever mood he’s in before much longer!

I tried playing it cool whilst simultaneously making it clear that we just didn't wear nappies any more and we used the toilet. To be honest, like most things, I think they do it when they're ready. Annoying as it is!