She's Just Not that Into Potty Training
A week or so ago we started potty training. Now, I have to say that I didn't get a book or read up on it like I probably should have. Instead I just sorta listened to others who were trying it with their kids and decided to take the plunge. A couple of kids near Anna's age (okay, a bit older) were doing it and I'd LOVE to have Anna be potty trained by the time the baby arrives and so I began my little process.
I now regret that decision. Frankly, I just don't think Anna is ready for this.
Anna had shown such interest in the potty after Christmas. She liked to pretend to sit on the potty, she always talked about it whenever I would go to the bathroom and I figured, great, let's get her a big girl potty so that she can get comfortable sitting on it. We purchased an adorable little green potty and she practiced sitting on it and I didn't push it much beyond that.
But recently I started becoming a bit more aware of how quickly the baby will be arriving and figured I'd go ahead and start teaching her how to really use the potty. I talked to her about the potty and showed her how to use it. I explained that whenever she felt "those feelings" (I'll spare you the actual language I've been using) she should tell mama and we'd go sit together on the potty. I figured we'd have a few accidents, but that she'd also get it a couple of times and we'd go on from there. I mean, she's picked up on other things, seemed like she would get this also.
Alas, she doesn't. In fact, she seems to hate the potty altogether now.
I let her run around without a diaper whenever possible for three or four days, in fact, I'm still sort of doing that at least once a day. I thought going without a diaper would help her understand that pottying actually results in something, you know, a puddle. The diapers are so absorbent that kids don't even really know they're that wet, but not wearing a diaper, surely would address it. However, Anna keeps having accidents and doesn't even seem to understand that peeing all over our floor is a big deal. When I ask her to go sit on the potty with me, she erupts into "no, no, no" and then I don't know if I'm supposed to drag her in there or if I should just let it go and get her back in a diaper. Instead, I just keep saying, "do you need to go potty?" every 15 minutes and she tells me she doesn't or runs across the room and proceeds to pee or poop later.
The dots just aren't connecting. Part of me feels like I'm too haphazard. Like I need to get a real book and develop a real plan and bunker down for several days and just focus on it. But then part of me feels like I've seen that she isn't ready and so I don't know if it would really help to focus more on it right now. Admittedly, I'm doing it a bit haphazardly and that might be the source of the problem. But, I also feel like that kids that I know who are potty training successfully don't detest their potties the way that Anna does. Maybe I'm just imagining it.
Regardless, I'm stumped. This is so frustrating. I feel like I'm failing and, of course, now I'm plagued by visions of Anna being 7 years old and still wearing pull-ups. Oh, by the way, Anna loves her pull-ups because they have princesses on them. But, they're just a way cooler diaper to her, not a gateway to big girl underpants.
Oy. I'll probably continue it for a couple more days, but then I'm calling it quits and moving on to my next hurdle - the big girl bed.
Welcome! We're just your average family, trying to maintain our sanity and keep our sense of humor while raising two beautiful children and surviving suburban life. Contact me at hithereMaggie@gmail.com
5 comments:
Sounds like she may not be physically ready yet. I'm far from an expert on this but from what i've gathered from others it's best to not push too hard because kids tend to resist.
Having two in diapers isn't that bad. Actually, on the days when Lila is acting "potty trained," it's more difficult. Imagine nursing your baby and having your toddler say (during the let-down no less)that she has to use the potty. I mean, just because they learn how to use it doesn't free you from the task. In fact, it's MUCH more involved than slapping a diaper on. Don't get me started on the wiping.
And I'm curious how you explain "that feeling down there" because I'm at a loss for how to explain it to Lila.
we can talk potties later, Maggie, but I just had to add a funny recent story:
My niece just turned 4, and on this great occasion of her birthday, my sister got her to sleep without a pull up for the first time. Never mind that she's been sleeping through the night and coming out dry for 6 months or more - she wasn't at all interested in giving up the pull ups. Then one day she told my sister that she would probably stop wearing pull ups when she was, "10 or 11." Ha! So, my sister was like, "Oh, um, really? How about when you're FOUR instead. Let's try that." : )
I agree with Me? A Mom? I know I don't have any children, but I have worked with a lot of them. Things that I hear from others is not to push the issue. Even people that have read the books say it doesn't help. I have heard of giving rewards when they do use the potty though. Or you could try the harsher route. I saw on John and Kate plus Eight, Kate made the boys sit on the potty until they went. Some sat for a long time. Maybe when Aunt Meagan and I come up there we can work on it together.
Just realized Anna isn't even two yet! Don't worry. It's way early.
Hopefully you'll figure this out before Elisa turns two...so I can ask you all my questions! Sounds like you are on track. Now you get to think of some kickass treats for going potty--that's fun!
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