Potty training?
November 12, 2008 - 11:22 AM
A mommy friend passed me an article saying the prime time to potty train is between 18 and 24 mo. Let's just say that potty training has hit me upside the head. I didn't think kids were potty trained until they were 2 or 3. But maybe that's just when they finally "get it".
So I just wanted to make a shout out to some mommies for some potty training tips:
1. Any books that you found especially helpful?
2. What kind of gear was helpful for you? (I know there are little potties, seats that fit right on the toilet, dolls, toddler books... what worked best for you?)
3. Anything else?
Thanks for any tips!
Jackie,
I got a book from the library called "Toilet training in less than a day" It was a very good resource. I didn't follow all of it exactly, but it worked for me with most of my kids. It also gives good guidelines for when to potty train- like the toddler being able to put on and pull up their own pants, wiping by themselves... Because frankly I don't want to have to be there every time they go to help them do these things. Are they really potty trained if they can't do it completely?
Anyway, 4 of the 5 I have potty trained were around 2 years 3 months old when I did it. Wayne may have been a little older.
We used a potty chair that sat on the floor and then needed to be emptied. I never tried using one on the toilet- you wouldn't need to empty it that way but you might need a step stool to help her get up to it.
We just used one of the kids' dolls and pretended they were going potty. I would even get the doll's bottom wet to pretend that they had an accident. I did this rather than spending the money to get a doll that actually wets.
Hope your endeavor to potty train goes well. Will pray for you.
I read both the book Kristen mentioned, and another one with a similar title, "Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day."
Needless to say, it took us way longer than a day, but each kid is different, I guess. :)
We got an actual "potty dolly" on ebay that cost maybe $12 or so shipped -- it has a little bottle to fill with water for the child to "practice" with the doll. I don't think these dolls are necessary but it was a fun touch.
The potty we got could be used as either a "little potty" separate from the toilet...or by removing the seat attachment that part could be a ring on the big potty. I am glad we could try it both ways -- Madeline liked the ring on the big potty, but now we have either option for the future kids.
I think whether or not to train kids at a younger age or an older age is a philosophical decision of sorts, and you probably want to read the arguments on both sides before deciding what's best for your family. (Both the books I mentioned are more for training a little on the older side...between ages two and three when, as Kristen said, the kid is really ready to do it on their own).
Funny story though -- a couple days ago I thought maybe Erik was trying to tell me that he needed go #2 before he actually did it. So, I quick whipped out the potty seat to see if he would sit on the little potty. He was terrified of it! No amount of coaxing would get him to sit on the little potty chair, or on the ring attached to the big toilet. So, the diaper went back on and we we wait several more months I think before we try that again! :)
Thanks for the tips, Kristen and Kirsten. It's good to hear what other mommies have tried and done--and what worked best. I held a book like that (not sure which one it was something about toilet training and a day) at the library. I'm hoping it will help me to know what to look for to know if Joy's ready. I suspect she's not quite ready yet since she's not really communicating in that way yet. She still only says about 10 words plus sound noises (e-i-e-i-o, hee-haw, ssss (like the snake), but I'll work on helping her to communicate those things.
Jackie,
Was just thinking, after reading your comment, that Joy would not need to communicate verbally. You could teach her some sign language for the things you would want her to communicate. (pants, dirty, wet...) I think you have done some baby signs with Joy. And, of course the library would be a good place to get a book for this too.