I'm trying to potty train my 2 yr old...any suggestions?

Answer 1

Every child is different, but here's my experience with my two girls ... I'm a father of 3yr old twin girls. They showed a little interest in toilets when they were 18 months old, so we were thrilled that we might have them out of diapers early. Such was not the case. They preferred to use their diapers and we decided not to make a big deal about it. Quite a while later we started to talk about 'being big girls' and how that included 'big girl panties'. We just continued to have these kinds of conversations now and then until they decided that they wanted to be big girls. It was pretty much a quick adjustment. Every time they went to their potty we would just make a HUGE deal about it .. call each other over, hugs & kisses & clapping. That was the only 'rewards' we used. I think my wife and I must have been quite a sight hopping around the bathroom! It became a fun game for my girls and they would often try to race each other to see who could 'go on the potty' first. We kept them in diapers at night for another couple of months. They both had a couple accidents during the day and night, but not too many and not for too long.

So, from my experience, Don't Worry too much about it. Don't do any of the negative stuff .. I don't see how it's really productive, and it seems just a bit on the mean side, to me. It never really made sense to me, Why make your children feel bad? or uncomfortable? or dirty?

They _will_ learn .. just let them do it on their own time with lots of encouraging words and actions from you.

Answer 2

I potty trained my daughter at two. What worked for me was to let her watch me do it for a month or two and then I went straight to underwear (she thought pullups were diapers that went up and down). She got it! This was back in January and we have only had about 5 accidents both in her bed and clothes. I took her to the potty about every 10 minutes until she could do it on her own.

I do suggest investing in vinyl pants to prevent accidents leaking onto the floor and beds. Walmart has some as does KMart.

The hardest part is the bowel movements. They take more time to train on that.

Don't yell or punish your child for accidents. They are going to happen regardless. It's part of the learning process. Always, always praise your child on successes and failures. I have a girly girl so when she goes a week without accidents, I let her wear my perfumed powder. She loves it. If she goes a week without doing #2 in her clothes, I reward her by painting her finger and toenails. It has been great for both of us. For a whole month of no accidents, she gets extra special treats. Be creative.

Answer 3

For a week or two before you start, buy some really cheap diapers so he/she can feel when he goes. This feeling of slight discomfort alerts them to the signals of having to go. Then when you're ready, and can stay home all day for about a week, let him/her run around butt naked. Yes, there will be plenty of accidents. Be patient and don't scold when the accidents happen. Be cheerful and show him/her where to go each time there is an accident. Be clear about the words you want the child to use when they have to go (pee pee or poo poo?) so they can alert you easily. Then make a run for the potty. Honestly from my experience and that of many mothers I know, the act of peeing on the floor really helps them 'get it' when it comes to the 'urge' to go. Buy plenty of lysol and a pack of undies of their choice. Tell the child when they go potty 2 or 3 times that they can wear them. When there's more accidents, just let them go naked again. Have them just wear the undies at home for a while, and when you go out make sure the clothes can come off FAST! Good luck.

Answer 4

Dr Phil had a program on about this awhile back you may want to check out his website and a search for potty training. my Sister used it and her son was potty trained in 2 days. It was awesome! Good Luck!

Answer 5

start off by just letting him sit on it (with clothes on)and read a book or tell him a story, just so that he will get comfortable with it. Once he's comfortable have him sit on it every hour or so (without diaper) encouraging him to potty. You should make sure he drinks lots of water and maybe even have water running will he's on the potty to get things going. You can also squirt warm water on his wee wee to stimulate him. Once he does is once give him praise but don't over do it.

Answer 6

i am not a mother but just dont rush it. before your 2 year old gets in the bath just put him or her on the potty . sorry im 14 i have not gotten pout of that yet. (potty)

Answer 7

Depends Boy or Girl? Boy.. we used to have cherrios or fruit loops and say ok aim in the middle..Boys and Girls.. Start like they do on the Nanny 911.. Say.. everytime you use the potty by yourself you get a gold star and after you get so many you get a special prize..

Answer 8

Don't force it. He or she might not be ready at two. By three though you need to jump on it. If it is boy put fruit loops in the the toilet and have them shoot them. I didn't have a girl so I have no suggestion for a girl. Unless you do the candy thing. Were you give them m&ms.

Answer 9

If it's a boy, let him stand up. I have a 1 1/2 year old son, and I have found that if he stands up, he will go. Ask your significant other to take them in the bathroom with him.

If it's a girl, buy her pretty undies. Girls hate to mess their clothes up.

Answer 10

2 years old for a boy is a little young.
my daughter was trained at 2 but girls train faster then boys, make sure he is ready and don't force him if he doesn't want to also using treats or stickers helped my daughter when she was ready