For the parents..

[techgirl]

What's the best way to start potty training? My girl is 3 1/2 and I am interested in signing her up for pre-K next year and they have to be potty trained. Any ideas on how best to get them going(so to speak)? Right now we are doing the training underwear and going to the potty every 20 minutes. Anything else? She is a big candy fan, so that is the reward for now. Thanks for the help.

 

[T&KBrouse]

One of the things that worked with my daughter was actual "big girl" underpants. She soaked herself to the toes twice and never had another accident again.
Just one perspective.

Good luck!
K

 

[techgirl]

The underwear I have for her now is underwear with extra padding in the crotch. She can soak herself if it happens, hopefully that will work. My main concern is getting her to realize that she can tell me. Also getting the boyfriend to keep up the regime would be nice, he tends to be a bit lazy.

 

[T&KBrouse]

Yeah, men do sometimes seem to thwart a good effort, don't they.
Now, mind you this was eons ago, but EJ's big girl pants were actual girls underwear with no padding. So when she got wet she was WET. Luckily, she almost immediately figured out this was not right and walked up to me, bow-legged, saying, "Oh no... I wit, mommy."

Does she have down the concept of going potty?

 

[techgirl]

Yeah, she knows the concept of potty. Just had not shown any interest in it. So far the past few hours have gone nicely. She has used it once and actually gave me a fight to put a diaper on her for her nap. I had to promise that I would put the underwear back on when she wakes up. Hopefully this will continue with not too many problems.

 

[Double LY]

EJ's big girl pants were actual girls underwear with no padding. So when she got wet she was WET. Luckily, she almost immediately figured out this was not right and walked up to me, bow-legged, saying, "Oh no... I wit, mommy."

Our first son was a late potty-trainer and I learned that extra padding/pull-ups/etc. were his downfall. Once we switched to regular underpants he was trained lickity split.

I bought "tidy whities" to train our son. Once he proved he was a "big boy" we all went to the store and he picked out the underpants that he wanted himself. That sealed the deal for no more accidents - he was VERY proud of those underwear

 

[techgirl]

I may have to try that. She just figured out that if she pees in them, she'll just go change them herself. :main_rolleyes: This is going to be fun. So far we are potty:1, accidents:2. Not bad for a first day.

 

[Sunrise Reptile]

Probably the single biggest tip I can give you is: Praise, Praise, Praise! Make a big deal out of when she gets to the "potty" in time. I mean, come on, what kid doesn't like LOTS of ATTENTION? :main_yes:

 

[techgirl]

I mean, come on, what kid doesn't like LOTS of ATTENTION? :main_yes:

Mine. You try to get her attention on something and it's "No, I'm busy" or "Not right now" or "Don't want right now"
She's very independent and stubborn. I honestly have no clue where she gets it from.