DD is 3 next month and we have been trying (on and off) for a year to potty train. She will not tell me when she needs to use the toilet/potty, she does know when she needs to go and I can tell if I happen to be looking at the right time, but if I ask she just says no. Our most recent attempt was abandoned after a morning (twice) because she went through 6 pairs of pants and as many changes of clothes because she refused to use the potty and preferred to use the floor/sofa (sit on the potty, do nothing, go back to playing, wee on the floor 30 seconds later). We've tried leaving her longer in a soiled nappy and we've tried changing her immediately, taking her away from whatever she is doing, but neither approach seems to have any effect.
We have regular conversations (instigated by her 80% of the time) about wearing "big girl pants" and she is very eager to be thought of as grown up but she will not take the final step.
If I am honest, this is the bit I've been dreading which is why I haven't pushed the issue, but she is beginning to want to do things that are difficult while she is still in nappies.
I work 4 days a week, she is at Nursery for 3 days and with her Grandmother for one, most of her friends are dry and she is happy to follow them to the toilet but won't actually use it herself. Like most mothers with toddlers, I'm never able go to the toilet on my own when she is with me and she takes great delight in pushing the button to flush.
She told me today that she is frightened of the toilet, that it "talks too loudly" and that the potty does too. She also said that she is a big girl who wears nappies. I have NO idea how to tackle this one - any suggestions?