Day 2 potty training 2yo - on the verge of giving up

[Grasshopper90]

We decided to start potty training DD this weekend, who was 2 last week. We’re using the Oh Crap method, so staying at home, no bottoms on. Yesterday went okay, managed to get about half the wees and all the poos in the potty.

She’s woken up this morning and though it seems to have “clicked” in that she recognises when she needs to go and knows what the potty is for, she’s holding everything in, desperate not to use the potty.

We’re trying to keep things as positive a relaxed as possible, but she just wriggles around uncomfortably refusing to sit on the potty. She held a wee for nearly four hours this morning... it was beginning to leak out of her but she still wouldn’t sit, or properly go at all! She’s down for a nap now and I’ve put the nappy back on so imagine she’s finally gone. What would you do? Persevere or leave it for now? We have DC2 due in December so were really hoping to get this down before then.

Sounds like she is not ready. Our first attempt with DD failed as she refused the potty. So we have up and tried again later.

She just wriggles around uncomfortably refusing to sit on the potty. She held a wee for nearly four hours this morning.

This may sound stupid but have you tried the toilet? Some children really dislike pottys and find them uncomfortable, but are happy to use a toilet.

Just go with the flow. She may not be ready yet. My 2 didn’t take long at all once they were ready. But were closer to 3 years old.

If it wasn't clicking we just tried again in a few weeks. My kids both trained around 2.5 years.

I tried at 2 and gave up after a day of hell, clearly not ready. We kept the potty out and talked about the toilet a lot, she also goes to nursery so they encouraged her too. Last weekend she said she didn't want to wear nappies anymore and that's been it! She is 2.9 and we're still working on poo but not a single wee accident so we're letting her lead us. So much less stressful than last time.

I put the pressure on myself to train her around two as it seemed everyone else had but I'm glad I've waited now as she's excited about it all and understands a sticker chart etc.

@user159 I can relate to that. I think I’ve been putting a lot of pressure on myself to get her trained (and feeling the pressure from older relatives) but as everyone has pointed out here there is plenty of time.

I think we’ll back off for a bit try a more gentle approach going ahead. Can’t help but feel a bit deflated but this weekend has been totally miserable for all involved!

Have you tried a toilet seat and step? We lasted one day with the potty as she wanted to try the toilet instead which was so much easier and better. I'd keep going for another day or so but if no improvement just try again in a few months time.

I'm going to try my almost 2yr old at Christmas time as have time off work. I've been trying to get her in the potty as she always goes as soon as she gets in the bath 😂 she goes mental if I try sit her on it though so I'm not sure how it's going to go when we try properly!

She’s way too young. I’ve had three kids and as I got more experienced, I waited longer - they really need to be around 3 or even closer to 4 I think. Then it’s easy.

Just leave it a little while! DD started showing signs at 22 months, we gave it a go and she was the same, didn't want to sit on the potty.

We went back to nappies and have just tried again at 25 months. We're a few days in and she's doing really well and loves sitting on the potty now!