A mother writes about potty training:
"My child is potty training today. We have stuffed her full of drinks and she pees about every 10 to 15 minutes. She has used the potty several times when we take her to it at timed intervals. She does not seem to understand that when she feels the urge, she should go sit on the potty herself. She pees wherever she is sitting (a few times on us) and does not seem to mind. I do not want to 'catch' her pee all day long. What do you suggest we do?"
I get questions like this quite frequently. The answer I have, however, may not be one that many parents want to hear. What you should do is stop potty training. But don't look at it as quitting or as a setback. Think of it more like taking a break. The reason: Your child is not ready to potty train yet.
Read more of this answer or leave your own answer to this mom's question below.
Hey Mom, if your child can talk I think it is a good time to attempt to potty train. Now I did say train. What it should be called is “Potty Attempts” because it can take awhile and can be frustrating (but don’t let the child know that you’re frustrated). But, they will get it eventually, don’t give up. Otherwise, you’ll be with a 5 year old in diapers. And should I remind you at that age the child is pretty much eating what you’re eating.
What I did (and am planning to do) is once my son can talk he will go with whoever has to use the restroom. He will sit and the other person will sit. They are so great at imitating at this age. If he doesn’t go that is fine, I will still have diapers and I will be happy to change them. If he does goes it will be a joyous and happy thing with the whole family celebrating. My cousin actually had a song that was sung if his daughter was successful, “My baby goes potty!”. After awhile, he will begin to associate going the the restroom as a good time and start looking for the bowel movement feeling, which is what you’re after. They always have recognized it because that is why the go, you just have to get to look for the feeling before hand. Then, he will let me know and I’ll take him. Sometimes he’ll tell me before and sometimes after, but that is ok. However, if you are waiting for the right moment you’re going to be buying diapers for another two to three years. What is worse is those pull-downs are so expensive. If they can talk, they are ready for “Potty Attempts”. Otherwise, call the expert over to change those dirty diapers or get them to pay the extra amount to the daycare for a non-potty trained child.
I’ll agree with the above post but also add a little, kids need examples and structure.
This might sound shady as a parent, but once we told daycare we were done buying diapers, having other kids around going and they have structured time in which to do it (before snack, before lunch etc) It was like a switch went off in his head. Two accidents at school in the first week and that was it, not even a need for pull ups at night, although we did for confidence sake.