Potty training, What's the next step?

Question

My daughter will be 3 on monday, she is potty trained. The problem is she wont use a toilet. She will use the potty when she needs to go but screams if I suggest she use the toilet. She has seen me and her brother (he's 5) using it and we call it the big girls potty. We have a kids seat that fits over the normal seat.
My son's were really easy, but they didn't have to sit on it!!
I just don't know what to do next. She will be starting pre school in jan and I really want her to be using the toilet by then.
Any advice would be great!!
Thanks.

Answer 1

My kids liked having a small step stool in the bathroom since their feet can't reach the ground without it. It is also great for washing hands after. I also would suggest rewarding her everytime she uses the big girl potty. With my son I used candy, for my daughter she got to pick from a sheet of stickers and decorate her potty seat with them. Kids are usually pretty easily bribed. Think of something she really like and you can find a fitting reward that is not expencive. You could also tell her you will get her a new toy of something after 2 weeks of useing only the big girl potty. But be sure for a little while at least to reward her everytime.

Answer 2

I would get rid of the little potty so that the ONLY thing she has to use is the big girl potty. If she has an accident, let her sit for a few minutes before you change her. She will soon see that she doesnt like having yucky wet clothes on and will start using the toilet. Also, let her watch you guys go to the potty. Let her lift up the lid, let her help you get the toilet paper, let her flush the toilet and watch everything go down, let her put the lid down. She will eventually see that it's not scary to use it. Also, get some stickers when she does use the toilet give her lots of praise. We had a poster board on the wall in teh bathroom and everytime she went potty on the toilet she got to put a sticker on it. Kids love stickers. I don't encourage using candy because they will want candy every time afterwards. Try to be patient.

Answer 3

Go out somewhere the child will not want to leave and "forget " to take the potty. When the child asks for the potty explain you have forgotten it and she will have to be big and use the toilet. Offer a treat if she does this and reassure lots, keeping hold of her while she is on. Good Luck.

Answer 4

You need to take HER and the POTTY to the trash dumpster. Let HER toss it away because she now has her own potty. BEFORE doing this go and let HER pick out a new potty seat though so she can potty on one she likes. Kids have a fear of "falling in" so with the potty seat (like the one you have now) will be great...but only if "she" picks it out. She'll be fine. She might scream for a bit...but she'll go sooner or later and realize that it is ok...and you (which I'm sure you will) make a HUGE deal out of her going on her own potty. (big girls/boys potty)

Final note: When your son has to go pooh - let her see him also SITTING on the big girls/boys potty.

Answer 5

Throw out the potty chair and tell her it's broken and u threw it away. She'll have no choice but to use the toilet or pee in her pants. It is unlikely she'll choose to pee in her pants and once she realizes the potty isnt coming back she'll use the toilet. Use lots of praise and rewards for using the toilet.
or
Buy a Barbie doll or something else you may think she'll like. Wrap it up really pretty with lots of ribbons and bows. Tell her it's for when she uses the toilet. But she has to agree to throw the potty chair out. She may not agree at first but leaving that surprise out all wrapped and pretty may get her curiosities up enough to agree to your terms. When she does take her with you when you throw that potty chair in the trash and wait for her to use the toilet then she gets the gift.
Either of these might work.
Good Luck!

Answer 6

If you know an older female child (friend or relative) of about 6 or older whom she looks up to, try having her round and let your daughter know and see that she uses the big toilet. This can work wonders. But she won't be the only one who still uses a potty when she starts preschool so try not to worry. The peer pressure once she's there will soon have her doing it.

Answer 7

Maybe take the potty into to the toilet so she can get used to being in there first - so its not such a scary environment. Maybe she's more scared that she's going to get flushed down the loo! my daughter did, she used be hysterical - she also didn't like the sound of the loo flushing either. Ask her what is wrong.

Answer 8

I know if feels like it will last forever, but soon enough she will grow out of it. They have dinky little toilets at nursery school, so she might be happy enough to use those.
What happens if you forget the potty at home, when you go out? I always think bribery is a good training aid at this age. I'll buy you some of those gorgeous frilly knickers if you use the toilet three times! kind of thing.

Answer 9

Don't force the issue. Just make a suggestion every now and then. If you force it she will just dig her heels in and refuse.
My Daughter is only just 3. We used the potty for a couple of weeks and then went straight to the toilet
Good luck

Answer 10

I think I'd explain that in pre school she'll have to use the big girl's potty and that it's time to get rid of the potty you have so that she can get used to it. Then, get rid of it. Expect a few accidents... But you have a month! Good luck!