I have an almost 5 yr old who reverted back to diapers a year ago, i still can't get her to use the potty.

Question

I have tried everything. The doctor says there is nothing wrong with her. We have tried stickers and other rewards. I have made her change herself. We have used regular underwear. She says she doesn't want to do it anymore, but she doesn't even try to use the potty. We have talked to her till we are blue in the face. I have even talked to a child therapist about her and he doesn't have a clue.
There has had been no real change in the family when she reverted. No new baby or anything before or since.
For those of you who think this is my fault (noitail), think again. I potty trained her the first time in one day. She knows how to use the potty, she just won't!!!! I didn't cave in. So shame on you!!!!

Answer 1

give her some more time. she may very well be afraid of the one she has now.My daughter is two and a half now and i had to by two different ones before she decided which one she would use. She did'nt want to use the first one i got her.Try getting her a different potty maybe one that plays music or one that looks like a bike or chair.(now my daughter rides the first one thru the house)lol!!!!!

Answer 2

I'm guessing something must've happened that she reverted. A major change in a child's life will change things such as this.

Start from the beginning. But don't go back to diapers or pullups - use underwear. Be glad this is summer - buy lots and lots of underwear, and shorts. Also - get some plastic pants (underwear covers really). Try looking at rummage sales for cheap clothes to put her in. She'll be more apt to want to go potty if she knows that she isn't going to be changed right away.

Don't punish her when she's had an accident. Just calmly clean her up and tell her that you'll just keep giving it another try. Reward her when she does try - even as little as stickers on a piece of paper. Bigger rewards when she poops - my sons got matchbox cars. My girls got some cheap jewelry (rings, necklaces, etc) - this also helped a lot, because then they were told that they were getting to be big girls, and could dress like big girls too.

If she goes to a daycare center, make sure that they're using positive reinforcement. My son's daycare wasn't, as shameful as that is - and he reverted. Needless to say, he no longer goes to that daycare and was potty trained within 2 months of leaving there.

Answer 3

She may not be ready and most of the time a good thing to do is just wait until she is ready, but at 5 yrs old waiting is not an option. She'll be starting school soon and the teachers will not want to put up with a kindergartener who needs their pants changed. Try showing her that she's old enough to use the potty and needs to learn how. Try babysitting an infant one day and showing her that babies use diapers not big girls like her. Get her excited about it as well. Take her to the store and let her pick out her own panties. Also, let her decide how she wants to be rewarded. Give her different options to choose from like for example you could get her a bag of candy and she could have one each time she used the potty, or you could try something like making a chart and using stickers for each time she uses the potty--if she gets 5 stickers, she gets to go out for ice cream, lunch, etc. Just remember to encourage her no matter what!

Answer 4

Was there a trauma before the reversion? Extra stress in the family? What does she do if you don't put her in diapers, just cotton training pants?
If her development has been normal and she does not have physical problems, this could be her way of getting more??? attention??? or something. Some kids have a lot of fear about growing up, school etc.
Have you talked to your pediatrician about this? Depending on the doctor's opinion you just may have to play hardball and say "No more diapers"
Don't stress about this if she has a clean bill of health, but don't foster the behavior either. Good luck.

Answer 5

Did you have a baby a year ago? If so then thats the reason, she isnt used to being the only child getting all the attention. Spend time with her alone and let her help with the baby. Tell her what a big helper she is and that she is a big girl, etc etc etc.

Answer 6

Ridiculous!!!! I don't care what the reason was that she reverted back to diapers. You should NEVER have cavecd in to give her them!!!!! It is your fault. She/he is doing for attention. They are more than capable to stay dry. They have the muscle control at 3.5 yrs. of age! Take the diapers away during the day and then get rid of the night ones. She is going to be the laughing stock of kindergarten! Shame on you for letting it happen.

Answer 7

try pottys with her favorite charecters on it!!