Wednesday, August 13, 2008

Potty Training is CRAP!

Any experienced moms in the house?

One of my boys hasn't had a single accident in three days, and the other has only made it to the potty ONCE in three days. Ugh. What would you do? Stop potty training the one with little interest? Keep trying? I think I'll give it until the beginning of next week, but I really am READY to have them potty trained. I know, it's not up to me.

Yuck.

I'm not big into the stay-at-home vs. working mom thing...each have good parts and bad parts and I think people should do what works for them. Having said that, though, let me admit for one of the first times in three years, I'm really second guessing my decision to stay home. Is it wrong to go back to work just so I can get a break from potty training??? Hee!

7 comments:

Threeundertwo said...

Yes, potty training is crap. I used bribes. I found a mega-set of hot wheels at Target. Whole day good and whole night dry and he got to pick one out in the morning. Barbie clothes for the girls.

My mom always claimed she trained each of us in a day. I don't want to know what kind of tactics she used, that sounds a bit extreme.

I do think having kids in diapers past age 3 (like me) is just too old. They can "get it" much younger, it's just finding the right strategy.

What A Card said...

Ugh. I'm bribing with coins, their all time favorite thing. Even that's not working. N-man keeps saying, "I want money" and I say, "Sure, as soon as you go peepee or poopies in the potty". And he says, "I already did." Of course, he's talking about something that happened three days ago, and doesn't seem to grasp that you have to use the potty EVERY time.

I might have to start a sticker chart or something...

Nancy said...

We tried coins ... for about a day. They "got" that if they sat on the potty, they'd get a few...but that's all they'd do - go sit and then say "I did it!" when they'd actually done nothing except sit for two seconds. *sigh*

Then we tried stickers. Not much incentive since we use stickers daily anyway LOL (duh, Nance.)

Figured out the praise praise praise seems to work. That and letting Burke empty his own little potty. He seems to dig that. Hey - go for it, I'd rather not anyway ;)

We have little potties all over the house (and the back yard) and potty insets in both bathrooms - they get to choose which one they use.

Still can't get Burke to poo in the potty though. And Maggie seems to wait until 2 seconds too late each and every time...but we're slowly slowly getting it.

Jessica said...

Dr. Pete Stavinoha is a child psychologist at the hospital where I work - Children's Medical Center in Dallas, TX. He recently wrote a book about potty training according to a child's personality. He outlines five distinct personality types, then offers specific tips for helping that type "get it." I'm guessing your boys have two different personalities and would benefit from different techniques.

See if any of Dr. Pete's thoughts are helpful: http://www.childrens.com/Media/video/Potty-Training.cfm

And check out his book at www.stressfreepottytraining.com

Good luck! I know this is a tough job!

Gwyneth Paltrow said...

Men’s Health Magazine (Sept. issue) is recommending Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day: Proven Secrets of the Potty Pro by Teri Crane. My husband picked us up a copy after reading the article. IT REALLY WORKS!!

Everyone is talking about throwing a "potty party" to potty train a child. I was so desperate, I was willing to do anything. Her book outlines 10 themed parties. What kid doesn't love to play and pretend? All my mommy friends have successfully potty trained their kids with her book too.

Honestly, when I first learned of this book, I thought NO WAY! Maybe this would work on a little girl, but NOT a BOSSY, 2-1/2 year old BOY. NO WAY! Guess what? It REALLY WORKED!!! Teri Crane SAVED MY SANITY!!! Her book was easy to read, funny and extremely helpful. I can't thank Teri enough. I would HIGHLY recommend this book to EVERY parent. It will save you much grief and frustration. Potty training shouldn't be difficult, we as parents make it difficult because we don't know what to do. Teri teaches you. Buy the book, it's the best money you will ever spend

Most amazingly, I had some questions, so I called the author, and she CALLED ME BACK!!

Rhonda said...

I see absolutely nothing wrong with training one at a time. I've heard that the second one often catches on after watching the first or wanting to be part of the "in" crowd at preschool. I've also read that most kids "get it" sometime between 3-4 with the highest number right around 3.5 no matter what technique you use or when you actually start. Earlier than that is really parent training, either watching for signs and taking the kids to the potty or by using a timer in hopes of catching the right moment. I'm sure some a truly trained earlier but statistically speaking, most aren't.

Our girls went through a stage of asking to go and being dry almost all day and have now regressed to not wanting to use the potty at all, so we are on hold for the moment.

Jen said...

Ben pooped in the tub last night.. does that count?