So, we're tentatively embarking on potty-training Garrett. I mean, you just never know. We could finish tomorrow. We could stop, retrench, and begin again in 2009. Its all so unpredictable.
And while I have potty trained 3 of my kids, I have learned one thing. (Ok, more than one thing. But one REALLY important thing.) It is different for each child. What Michael responded to, McKay didn't care for. What really inspired Hannah was different for the boys.
And truly, I think the "magic trick" for each kid came from someone other than me. Tracee, a neighbor helpfully mentioned boxer's shorts for Michael. Gold! Pure gold. 5 accidents one day. Got boxers. Zero accidents the next. Potty training accomplished! McKay's Kindergarten teacher mentioned doing something to keep him on the potty for a long time, so he could relax enough. So we got the "Pee pee TV"--a portable DVD player with "bathroom-only" DVDs. Excellent. Done in a week. With Hannah, Cat mentioned telling her daughter to "make tinkle sounds." Well, that clicked to Hannah. Voila!
So, hit me with your best stuff! We're gonna try it out!
2 comments:
Here are various and sundry pieces of advice that either worked for us or were suggested to us.
- Rewards were a HUGE motivating factor for Ben. I'd give him an M&M or 2 for every successful potty trip. Once he started using the potty on a regular basis, he quickly forgot to ask about his reward.
- Anything to make it fun. We used to make a big deal out of the sounds - the tinkle (like you did with Hannah) and the plops. We would all do a crazy potty dance when he had a successful trip, too. We'd sing, tell stories, and just hang around for company when he pooped on the potty too.
- Underwear! That was the kicker for Ben. He LOVED having his own underwear like some of his friends already had.
- You could try making games too. My MIL (a former preschool teacher) suggested adding a cheerio as a target in the water.
- One last thing that helped us. Ben didn't like the little potty chairs, but he loved it when we bought an insert for the big potty. So, if you're using a chair and he resists, maybe try an insert!
GOOD LUCK!!! Hoping he trains fast! I'll probably be coming to you for advice for Emma in about 6 months. Ah, fun times!
Ian was trained through the M&M method with a toilet seat insert. He still uses it, even though he doesn't need it. At least we don't have to take it everywhere with us now! :)
Damek took a loooooooooooooooooong time, and persistence/consistency was the only thing that worked. And a lot of just sitting next to him and talking/reading to him until he went.
Calista - got to chuckle at this one - was trained through peer pressure. One day she was having accidents left and right, not really caring about it at all. The next her daycare teacher told her, nicely, that she couldn't move up to the 3 Year Old room with her friends until she could go on the potty all the time. Presto! No more accidents.
Good luck with Garrett! I'm going to be there with Ember before too long, but I was rather hoping Ian would give up that potty seat before she starts ... lol!
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