In potty training, how long do you "make" them sit there waiting to go?

Question

I am potty training a three year old girl. She is excited about going in the potty, but we haven't hit the timing just right yet. When I take her in to sit on the potty, how long should I make her sit there waiting to go when nothing is happening?

Answer 1

I like the Dr. Phil method potty party idea. You really push the liquids which raises the likelihood that you will get the timing right. I read books to my daughter on the potty, she seemed to like the attention. Good Luck!

Answer 2

No longer than the age she is. I potty train two and three year olds all the time (I am a preschool teacher), and usually I just have them sit for a ten count. Starting by counting to ten together reinforces the idea that this is just another routine you are starting together (something she is expected to do) and gives a specific time period for which your toddler knows they must sit. Once she has mastered that, move the time up to 30 seconds, 1 minute, 2 minutes. Since you are at home with her... you can have her sit a little longer, but not more than two minutes. If nothing has happened by then- it probably isn't going to. To make the time pass quickly, you can purchase a cheap egg timer (or other timer) and set it for the allotted time. If you choose to have her sit for a period of one to three minutes, have a book or other activity she can do while sitting there to reinforce the idea that potty time is fun. Potty training is often a very stressful time, both for parent and child. The child really wants to perform for their parent, and the parent really wants to get the child to potty. This can really cause friction when you need it the least. Be relaxed, and realize that it takes children anywhere from 2 months to 10 months to potty train. This takes patience. So, make it fun- sing a song or grab a book while you sit. One of these days it will just happen by accident and you can make a big show of celebrating. In the meantime, take it slow, make it a routine (take her at designated times every day: when she wakes, before morning snack, before lunch, after nap, before afternoon snack and before bed.) This way, her body gets used to "going potty" at certain times of the day, and increases the likelihood that she will accidentally go during one of these times. Remember though- once you go to "big girl panties", don't go back to diapers or you will confuse her. Even if you are using pull-ups, treat them like they are underware. If they get wet, change her immediately so she understands the difference between the wet and dry feeling. Good luck!

Answer 3

It's not so much making them sit there waiting for something to happen. You just have to bring them to the potty often and keep trying. You can get pullups with special characters on them that she likes and tell her that the special character doesn't want to get wet or poopy. That worked with my daughter.
I tried making her sit there for a while too, but I think it makes it more of a chore or a bad thing for them, as compared to just making frequent visits every half hour or so. You can also monitor her liquid intake. If she's only allowed beverages at certain times, you will then know approximately how soon she will have to go.

Answer 4

I think about ten minutes is long enough. You don't want to make going to the potty seem like a punishment for them, or a time out. If they think of it like that it might keep them from even letting you know they have to go at all because they will think they are going to have to sit there for a along time.Ten minutes is plenty long enough for them to relax and take care of business, if they don't do anything after that long, then about 30 minutes later put'em back on there.It will eventually work, I promise!

Answer 5

Good question! My 3yr. old boy is in training too. I don't make
him stay very long if he can't go then. I'll wait alittle while and then ask him if he has to go again.
By the way, turning on the faucet and letting it run slow might
help her go. That sound of running water sometimes does the trick.

Answer 6

i took my son once and hour every hour and made him sit there for 5 minutes if he went i took him down cleaned him flushed washed hands and was done if nothing we can back in a little while to try again

Answer 7

I used to sit in there and read her a book until she went.

Answer 8

dont make her but you can read a book or set a small kitchen timer for about 3 min and let her help. dont over do it or she will get tired of the whole thing.

Answer 9

a few minutes.. if she don't go, get her off.. not good for her insides to sit, and sit, and sit.