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Question about potty training
So Conall is 3 yrs 3 months and this is new territory for me bc Gavin was PT'd (daytime) by 2.5yrs.
Last Friday, I had had enough of wiping his dirty bottom bc of pull-ups. I mean, he got to the point where he wouldn't even tell me he had pooped and, a few hrs later when I went to change him, his bum was sore and he was crying. (Of course it didn't bother him before that bc he was playing.)
I went cold turkey on pull-ups last Friday, after trying several times before, and just stayed on him all day - basically made him go every 45-60 minutes. He had one very minor accident in the evening (even stayed dry through nap!), bc I had asked DH to remind him and he forgot.
Saturday he did great overall - one almost accident - he managed to stop it as he felt it, and we got to the toilet in time. Sunday - same thing - I forgot to stay on him. Come Monday, pretty much the same. Yesterday, he pooped. (Babysitter said she had asked him if he needed to go 10 minutes earlier, he said no and then did it. I told her she had to make him go, regardless of what he says.) Just got a text that he did it again, despite her making him sit.
So, I'm not 100% sure I believe she made him sit this morning. I mean, I like the woman but, let's face it, with 3 kids to watch PTing is not a priority for her. (Heck, I don't even think she does too much with the older kids - only when the mood strikes her or I'm working from home.) Right now I pick my battles bc we are moving in 5 weeks anyway. But, the kid NEEDS to go to preschool of some sort starting in the Fall, so I need him to become better at this.
He is a stubborn child - needs to do things on his own will. That said, I'm not sure what to do after today. I'm really hesitant to go back to pull-ups. I have no problem buying more underwear and just tossing the really bad ones. I know people say he'll "just get it one day" but with Gavin, I totally credit his d/c teacher with getting him trained (due to consistency). And I think that the fact that Conall has told me about every accident bc he feels it (versus the pull-up) is a positive thing I don't want to discredit..
So, suggestions? What would you do in this case? (Sorry so long!!)
My three sons!
Re: Question about potty training
Oh Amanda, great minds think alike... I have Gavin helping (like, when you have to go, take Conall along) and that he would get a nice new present as well. they both have those picked out...
I'm going to mark the calendar tonight to show the boys when we will go get the toy as long as C keeps wearing underwear with minor accidents (ie. pooping is not minor. not using the toilet when I tell him to then having an accident, etc.). He's not afraid to use the toilet, he's just either too lazy or just not caring in general.
Anyway, with the calendar, I'm going to push back "toy day" every day he has a purposeful accident. Not sure if this will help...?!
As for "loving" his older brother, I use that term lightly. LOL The two are like oil and water most days! It doesn't help that the one is 3, though, either. (Have I mentioned before that I hate age 3!)
Thanks for the feedback - my gut is leaning that way as well.
My three sons!
Well it doesn't sound too bad so far honestly. But how is he reacting to all this? Is he excited about PTing? Is he having accidents because he just needs the reminders or is it the stubbornness?
you mentioned being stubborn. Dd is the most stubborn strong willed child ever! She decided to PT a little after 2 but her stubbornness got in the way. Us reminding her to go sit on the potty drove her crazy and would make her refuse. Sitting in an accident didn't bother her at all so it was a bad mix. We ended up going back to diapers after awhile. I was ticked but 2 months later she woke up asking for underwear and was PTed from then!
so I'd tread carefully on pushing too much if he is stubborn. If he is interested and excited I'd keep trying but I would watch out for him pushing back with the stubbornnesss. But it sounds like he is doing ok so far. Are you doing any rewards/reward chart. That definitely helped with dd.
Thanks for all of the feedback! I think we're going to keep on chugging with underwear then.
He's pretty "meh" about training; he doesn't (often) resist going when I tell him to go. And when he does go, he gets lots of praise, high-fives and fruit snacks for poop. He's not gung-ho and not afraid - again, just indifferent overall.
I read through the 3-day potty training method on my break and one thing mentioned that struck me as something to try, was not telling him when to go but, ratehr, telling him that he needs to tell me when he needs to go. Puts it back in his hands. So, I think I'm going to try that as well.
Thx again for all feedback!
My three sons!
That was sort of how I did it with EJ. She doesn't like being told what to do, but I would remind her every so often that she was in undies and she needed to remember to use the potty when she had to go. Eventually she threw back with the "I KNOW" annoyance. but it was otherwise a good technique for her. And I soon learned she only needs to go a few times a day.
Brats.
Err - I mean, kids! *sigh*
My three sons!