I STILL Have not bought any potty chairs for my girls yet. Is that bad? They will be 2 in June. I feel like I need to get chairs and get started. I think I'm just putting off the inevitable. I am dreading potty training like the plague and I'm just not sure why! AHHHH!!!
You are sooooo not a slacker. They have plenty of time still. Here is my take on the whole thing...I will start working on potty training when they can pull their pants on and off by themselves. So until then, we are working on dressing ourselves, and that is where I am putting the emphasis.
You're not slackers -- just not properly motivated. If you'd like to get motivated, I have two who could teach a class on stripping and diaper removal. I cannot wait to potty train! We have seat rings in the bathrooms and I put them on when they show any hint of interest. We've had several successes but they aren't telling me yet unless the potty is within sight. It's going to be a while. Until then, it's fortunate that I have a carpet steamer.
If you are a slacker, then I am right there with you!! I've been stressing about potty training since before N & G were born. It's one of those things that I heard horror stories about from family members, so I started to get hysterical about it before it was even remotely an issue. Finally, after reading post after post on TS about when to start, what to have, how to do it, etc... I decided that I was going to have a plan not to plan. For me, that's a big step... I plan everything... lists, notes, schedules, etc. However, one of the most important things that I've learned about raising kids is that they will reach milestones when THEY are ready (not on my timetable). So, at this point, all I have done is buy one potty and put it in the downstairs bathroom. Sometimes they sit on it when they follow me in the bathroom. Sometimes they stand on it. Sometimes they take the seat part off and put it over their heads (that one I've worked on getting them to stop). But until I see some concrete signs that they are ready to give this a go, I'm not doing anything else. For now, their only interest is flushing the toilet and laughing hysterically.
If you are a slacker, what does that say about me? K&K are getting closer to 6 each day and I haven't bought any potty chairs! Seriously, you might not even need them. Just because you don't have chairs doesn't mean if they decide they are ready they can't give it a try. At that age I would just start making sure they know where the toilet is and what happens in it which I am guessing they probably do because not tooo many moms get privacy in the bathroom.
We bought only 1 potty chair. They both sit on it (fully clothed), but Meghan is the only one that has used it for what it's made for. She has gone on the potty a total of about 5 times. She did it on Sunday, her brother looked in the seat and said "That's gross, Meghan!" :rofl: (Ya think he's ready??)
QUOTE(Dianne @ May 15 2007, 01:19 PM) [snapback]255645[/snapback] If you are a slacker, what does that say about me? K&K are getting closer to 6 each day and I haven't bought any potty chairs! Seriously, you might not even need them. Just because you don't have chairs doesn't mean if they decide they are ready they can't give it a try. At that age I would just start making sure they know where the toilet is and what happens in it which I am guessing they probably do because not tooo many moms get privacy in the bathroom. The only thing they want to do while I"m in the bathroom is unroll the toilet paper, get into the cupboard and point between my legs and declare "STINK mommy!" NICE!!!
But see, they know where the 'stink' is going (into the toilet), never underestimate what can be a learning tool!
No. I didn't potty train my oldest DD until the summer before she turned 3 since I was a teacher then I was home in the summer. I did it in June and she turned 3 in Oct. I don't think either one of us would have been ready for that at 2.
We decided not to do potty chairs and just got the seats for the toilet and started introducing at age 2. So far they have not gone yet, but are fine sitting on them to "try!"
We bought two potty chairs (one upstairs one downstairs currently), and mostly they have made nice cowboy hats! We also have the clip on flip-seat on the toilet in the bathroom next to their room. My girls know full well what they are for, Melissa even went through a phase where she was willing to sit a while and even peed in it a couple times. A while/months and months ago! We bought panties and everything! Now, no interest, although they both say "Very very soon..." like little robots... They'll both sit there and make a "ssssssss" noise, laugh and hop off. I figure they'll get it eventually. I'll start getting worried/serious about it as they hit three, I guess.
I am scared to death of potty training! I think that and switching to beds are my two biggest things I'm dreading. I want to do what I've seen Dianne post about, just wait, wait wait, and do it all in a couple days when they are older. I don't want it to drag on for months and those posts about poop on the floor and such fill me with such fear.
I firmly believe that you can't train a child until they are ready. Well, I guess you can, but life is soooo much easier if they are completely ready. I tried to force it on my oldest and all I got was tears of frustration from both of us. She was almost 3 years old before she was trained. I have friends that trained when their child was 2, but it was weeks of hard work. Ellie literally trained in a couple days when SHE was ready.
QUOTE(crazybabies @ May 15 2007, 06:38 AM) [snapback]255476[/snapback] Mine are going to be 3 soon.... I just don't want to tackle it yet!!! OMGosh! My attitude exactly! I am just dreading it.
QUOTE(BJAMs @ May 15 2007, 09:38 PM) [snapback]256649[/snapback] OMGosh! My attitude exactly! I am just dreading it. I'm comforted to know you are here with us, Michelle!!
QUOTE(marieber @ May 15 2007, 06:13 PM) [snapback]256071[/snapback] We bought two potty chairs (one upstairs one downstairs currently), and mostly they have made nice cowboy hats! We also have the clip on flip-seat on the toilet in the bathroom next to their room. My girls know full well what they are for, Melissa even went through a phase where she was willing to sit a while and even peed in it a couple times. A while/months and months ago! We bought panties and everything! Now, no interest, although they both say "Very very soon..." like little robots... They'll both sit there and make a "ssssssss" noise, laugh and hop off. I figure they'll get it eventually. I'll start getting worried/serious about it as they hit three, I guess. Those are my thoughts exactly...we were really into it and then, poof! :unknw: Jonathan tells us all the time when he has pooped. Ocassionally, he has told me that he has to go pee and he does. Amelia could care less and she was the most interested a few months ago. Unfortunately, 3 is upon us...soon!
QUOTE(marieber @ May 16 2007, 01:42 AM) [snapback]256656[/snapback] I'm comforted to know you are here with us, Michelle!! We were posting at the same time! I hate to even think of it!
Mine were not quite 2-1/2 when we potty trained and it was not the horror story that many others have. We had potties in the house for a while prior to that and then one day we got up and put on panties. I think the biggest thing that I'm hearing is that many parents are expecting them to tell them they need to go. We as parents have to remind them on a regular basis and even insist that they try if they say they don't need to and we know they probably do. Remember they are kids and most often they are going to be too wrapped up in playing to remember to go potty early on.
QUOTE We as parents have to remind them on a regular basis and even insist that they try if they say they don't need to and we know they probably do. I never had to do that. QUOTE many parents are expecting them to tell them they need to go. This is exactly what my two did. The trouble with potty training is it can be such a different experience for each child and for each parent that blanket statements don't really work. I am super happy with how it worked out for us since I didn't have to do anything really. I dreaded it for sooo long that I can't even believe how easy it fell into place. I never set a timer, never reminded them to go, never gave a reward, didn't clean up endless messes......................I just like to share with those who have children getting ready to travel the road of potty training that it doesn't always have to be a nightmare and sometimes it doesn't take any effort at all. QUOTE I've seen Dianne post about, just wait, wait wait I just think that letting the children control the timetable is key, if that means 'waiting' then so be it. If that means potty training at 6 months then so be it KWIM?
I don't think you're a slacker at all! It's not a race, and you will have a much easier time if you wait until you are ALL ready. I also worried about it, but one month after turning 3, we were 1/4 of the way there with VERY LITTLE effort (consider two kids, two procedures =4) We had potties available and a few videos. They must have given me some sort of sign because I actually dug the pants out after showing them to them a long time ago. About 5 accidents total, and my first was completely independent (with the exception of good handwashing) within the week :a_smil09: My second is now showing some interest in underwear, the entire process and has great bladder control, so I'm guessing we're heading in the same direction. We still have the dry sleeping and willingly pooping to conquer, but all the wise moms who suggested I wait and relax about it all have my undying gratitude. :bow2:
