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I've Done It 3 Times Already, So Why Can't I Do It Now?

I'm talking about potty training. Thought I'd say that up front lest your minds wander...

Our eldest child potty trained rather easily. He is often told the story of how one day he brought me a diaper, powder, and wipes, lay down in front of me and threw his legs in the air to be changed. After changing him, I had him face me and said "Kennyth, tomorrow, no more diapers." He said "No more diapers?" I said simply, "No. You are a big boy. No more diapers for you. You're going to use the potty." And Kennyth simply responded "Ok." He never wore a diaper again. He was 19 months old.

Elijah Our second child fought me at first but then decided to just go with the flow. He didn't want to use the potty. He didn't want change. But when he saw that he could pee-pee in the potty like Daddy and Kennyth, that was all she wrote. Joseph was 2 when he decided to play "follow-the-leader."

Our one and only daughter out of the bunch of 6 was QUITE difficult to potty train. She resisted with all her might and with all her strength and with all her will. And let me tell you, she's got a lot of might and a lot of will. She did not potty train until she was 3.5 (is that awful or what?). Of course, she didn't walk until she was 2 and didn't speak any words at all until she was 2.5. Now, she quite happily proclaims to the world that she's a big girl because she uses the potty all by herself.

On to the object of my dismay. Elijah is now 2.5 years old (32 months) and is giving me grief about potty training. Let me clarify that the reason I started potty training him in the first place is because he complains terribly about wearing the diapers, he stays dry for long periods of time throughout the day, and he kept saying he wanted to use the potty. Now that we've started, he insists he doesn't want to do it. I mean, like how he screams and cries that he doesn't want to use the potty. How he sits on the thing and looks at me with those pitiful eyes begging me to let him get up. At which time he conveniently pees in his training pants. Not to say that he's never actually peed in the potty, because he has. He just seems to hate it!

What is my problem? Why can't I get into the swing of things with him? I mean, I've really got to get it together here. We've got 2 more to go after him. I can't afford to lose my sanity yet. Not until they've all been potty trained at least. Help!

~Renae - Market 4 Real!
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Posted by Renae Bolton ~ Marketing 4 Realtors on 04/30/2009 08:53 PM

Comments (13)

Potty Training in the Networking Channel

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13 Comments on I've Done It 3 Times Already, So Why Can't I Do It Now?

APR

WOW !!!!! Renae , you have lot of patience. My goodness, I just have one kid and he is just 37 months and am going crazy with his potty training. Good luck. I should get inspiration from you. He is much like your daughter who didn't speak till 2.5 , my son didn't walk till 16 months and didn't speak till 2.5

Hi Renae, Don't worry... when they are ready, the will start using the potty. I wouldn't stress him out about it. I've never seen a kid start kindergarten in a diaper. :-)

19 months is mighty young! When he is ready, he will use the potty. Better that than a power struggle.

All are different ..... way back when my daughter would empty her own potty while my son was still being stubborn...they were a year apart.

MAY

Ah young grasshopper... Do Not despair he will not go to college in a diaper! Each of mine was different too. You have two younger ones who are still getting the advantages of a little one on one time with you because you need to pay attention to changing them. Stop putting the emphasis on it and making it into such a struggle and he will come around. Some boys don't train until they are closer to 3 so 19 months just may be too young for him to make this step towards childhood.

I fixed my post. Elijah is 2.5 - will be 3 in September. My mistake!

~Renae

Oh Suma, can I relate! A lot of my daughter's issues were her 2 older brothers. They insisted she was a baby and did absolutely EVERYTHING for her. They would even pick her up to take her from the living room to the dining room! I feel your pain!

I know they don't start kindergarten in diapers, Shirley. It's just that it is so frustrating knowing he doesn't want to wear diapers but he's resisting what can help him get out of them.

I made a mistake in my post, Carol. Elijah is actually 2.5 now. His birthday is September 1. But I do hate the power struggle.

I've learned that from the others that have potty trained before Elijah, Sally. The hard way, I might add! I'm sure the 2 behind him will be just as different!

I fixed my post, Paddy. He's actually going to be 3 in September. Have you any wise words for this grasshopper with the new information, oh master? :-)

~Renae

I have been there in that same age bracket Boys are not bothered as much. I think that if you stop making it a battle and make him want to be dry all day instead it might work. Perhaps offering an extra five minutes after regular bedtime with mom or dad just for him on days he stays dry all day, a special story or song, something he would like not a present. Again he is not sending out the college applications yet so don't lose hope!

I am having the same problem. I don't think either of us are truly ready. My daughter was potty trained at 2 years, my doctor said, she is trained? At her 2 year visit and I looked at him and said "yes" isn't she supposed to be? Then came my second, a boy...I think Ethan was almost 3.5 before he really wanted to. So my third, Adam, he just wants to put underwear on over his diaper. I think, is this a step in the right direction??? I will take it! I am right there with you, but I wouldn't stress about it yet! Boys are just slower and they don't care. Summer is coming and that is when I will really concentrate on it! hang in there.

MAY

Renae - As a mother of six , I learned that as in everything else in life each one of my children has approached life experiences in their own way and in their own time. Potty training was no different , some just naturally knew what to do and when and others just didn't really care about the whole process. Elijah may be showing the younger siblings he is in control ,or if you are constantly distracted by the younger children this may just be his way of getting your attention and keeping it for a while.

I must say with the boys I had the best success in potty training them with cheerios. I drop about four or six in the bowl and asked them if they could sink them , this also helped with their aim. maybe a playful approach will work.

Renae....you've taken me back a few years to when my 23 year old was almost 4 (yes, 4) and not potty trained. We begged and pleaded, fussed, praised...did any and everything we could think of to get him to go on the pottey. I was at my wits end until one day when he asked to swim and in frustration I told him NO, he could not go in the pool until I could trust him not to have an accident in it. Voila! Completely trained in one week. The moral of the story? They will do it when they are ready and/or really want to swim :) Good luck, my friend.

MAY

Paddy, I have a special "pee-pee" song that we all sing for Elijah when he uses the potty. Very big to-do and all that! It just doesn't seem to phase him. He doesn't seem to get that we only sing the song if he actually uses the potty.

Well Christina, I have 4 months before Elijah turns 3. I guess I'll be like you and see how things go over the summer.

Laura, did you start off just standing at the toilet bowl or did you start off with them sitting? I'm afraid that if I start him off standing, he won't understand about sitting when he has to poop.

Since Elijah absolutely loves the pool, maybe that's the trick Lisa! We'll see what happens in about another month!

~Renae

JUN

Not sure if you have gotten the potty training done, but I know how you feel. My 2 older ones were a breeze yet andrew was determined not to use the potty then one day he was one with diapers. All on his own time. I'm sure he will come around!

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