Let’s talk potty training.
I have noticed a trend of parents waiting longer and longer to potty train. In my opinion this makes it harder on parents AND kids. Why would anyone want to make it harder on themselves and the kids?
I think waiting longer makes it harder for them to grasp and “break the habit” of using a diaper, and harder on parents to have to keep buying diapers and cleaning up messes for years.
Potty Training When Should It Start?
I asked my 93 year old Mom how old we were when she potty trained us. She said across the board she and her friends potty trained their kids at 12 months.
That sounds really early, I know – but, my daughter WAS potty trained at 12 months, but the ladies in the nursery at church decided that that she was too young and wouldn’t take her to the potty and would put a diaper on her as soon as I dropped her off.
Being that we went to church twice on Sunday, Wednesday nights, and Tuesday morning ladies Bible Study, that was too confusing for her, in my opinion.
So I put her back in diapers and waited until she was in the next nursery up and that was the 2 year old nursery. After that, our boys were all potty trained by the time they were 2 1/2.
But, now it seems that kids are even older when they begin potty training. I wonder if the fact that the manufacturers have started making diapers for older kids and the “pull up” type diapers if that isn’t causing some of it. They’re duping parents into spending way more on diapers for a longer period of time.
Another thing I did with mine was once they were out of diapers, they were out of diapers. No “pull up” type pants, no diapers at bedtime, nothing. Was it inconvenient for me? SURE! I am a parent! That’s part of the life of a parent.
But, I didn’t want that expense and I felt like it was confusing for them – that sometimes they could go in their pants and other times, no… Surely, that would confuse a toddler.
Now, is every kid going to be potty trained in the exact same way, at the exact same age? No. I had 4 kids, 1 girl and 3 boys. The boys were older than my daughter when they learned.
You have to know when they understand enough to get it. I know plenty of 2 year olds that can hold a conversation, and I think that might be a clue that they can also be potty trained.
Don’t get me wrong, and let me say it again, I DO believe all kids are different and will be different ages when they are ready. I just think that the manufacturers are making money and parents are falling for it, again because it’s easy.
I told someone the other day that when I potty trained my kids it took a full day – and they were shocked! Not that the kids could be trained that fast but, that I devoted a full day to it…
C’mon now – as parents we do have to do the “hard stuff”, too. I spent a full day with each one and that’s all we worked on that day – between saltines, kool-aid and cartoons, we sat all day and waited and worked! lol
We also celebrated (not like the celebrations on TV), but we clapped and called Grandma 
They were also working towards a prize.
With my Daughter it was the cutest little red, ruffled underwear and she was so happy to “earn” them, and with the boys it was their favorite character underwear.
So, why do you care what I did with my kids? Maybe it will help someone think twice about whether their kid is really ready and if they are tired of paying for all those diapers…
Anyway, that’s my rant for the week!
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Billie says
Ahh the potty training, this can definitely be a frustrating thing especially with twins. I have tried a lot of tips and tricks and it does take a LOT of patience. I have finally got them trained for now (I haven’t seen or smell any messes around the house).
kristy says
I have 3 girls and a boy, my 2 oldest girls were 1 when they were potty trained my son was 2, now my youngest daughter is almost 3 and refuses most of the time to go to the potty,I have her wear underwear and no diapers so hopefully soon she will start going all of the time to the potty…. Never had so much trouble lol
Dian says
Kristy,
They can definitely all be different, especially “the baby”. Did you try a “giant” reward. Maybe buy her favorite movie and hold it up as “the reward” for staying dry? That might help.
Good luck!
Dian
Dian says
Have a question in potty training!!## I have a 3 year old boy that refuses to use the pot to go poop!!# I have tried everything and nothing working. Meanwhile im frustrated. He wears only underwear and still poops his pants… Help me plz
Dian says
Some kids are afraid for some reason. But, there are things you can try. First you need to be aware of the times he goes so that you can “catch him” during those times and work through it before he goes. Then try getting him at least IN the bathroom when he goes, even if he still goes in his underwear, you need to get him used to being IN the bathroom. You might have to physically take him there if he doesn’t want to go, keep him calm, if he is afraid you don’t want to instill that fear any deeper. When he’s comfortable being in there when he goes, start encouraging him to use the potty, not scolding him, but, encouraging him. When he does go give him a huge treat of some sort – as a reward.
Like I mentioned, when my daughter was little we used red silk undies with ruffles on them – they were the prize, she worked to figure out potty training so she could have those “Big Girl Undies”. With the boys we used Super Hero undies, but, it can be a trip to the zoo – any huge thing that would entice him. You might have to even “catch it” in the toilet so he gets the idea.
Also keep in mind that maybe it’s a bit painful for him and he associates it with pain and tries NOT to go at all. Make sure he’s getting a balanced diet so he isn’t constipated.
He WILL learn, trust me, but, you may have a struggle, eventually though you’ll be past it and life will move on.
I hope that helps!
Dian