Hi everyone! My name is Julianne and I’m here to talk about the ups and downs of the wonderful world of potty training. I am currently potty training my very strong willed 2 year old daughter. We have our good days, our bad days, and our outright awful days. On the good days, Little Miss will wake up dry, poopy in the potty every time and have maybe one accident if that. She gets her jelly beans for pooping on the potty, stickers for going pee, and an M&M for staying dry all night or while we’re gone. Yay for positive reinforcement, right? Well then we have bad days. Bad days, she may have a few accidents, maybe poopy in her pants. I still use the rewards and never punish the accidents, although by the meltdowns following me telling her no sticker or jelly bean, you would think I was torturing her! The awful days, like today, she misses the potty every time. These days she’s usually tired, or just downright stubborn. Earlier today, she told me she had to potty. I directed her toward the potty chair and yet she stood in front of me and peed. Then, she looked up at me and said, “I pee, momma.” Gee, thanks for letting me know… The hardest part about these awful days, is that I KNOW she can do it, she just chooses not to do it.
Like most moms when potty training, I’ve used bribery as well. “I’ll get you the My Little Pony (or Dora, or Minnie Mouse, or princess….) undies if you want to be a big girl!” I also allow for choices such as using the big potty or the potty chair, or wearing a diaper, trainer or undies to bed. Sometimes though, I wonder if it would be in my better interest just to tell her that she’s going on the big potty, wearing the plain pink panties, and going to bed in a diaper. But then I don’t want to squash her either. I know choices are a tough thing when your 2! I do see an end to this battle soon though. We have more and more good days and many fewer awful ones. Plus, she has her eye set on some Tinker Bell panties that I promised her as soon as she, or should I say we, can figure this thing out.
More Tips for Potty Training
• Be careful about dishing out too many rewards (especially candy).
• Let your child pick out new underwear at the store to generate excitement.
• Have a “goodbye to diapers” party.
• Bring extra underwear and pants in the case of accidents.
• Consider training during the summer to reduce accidents on your carpets.
• Try to avoid potty training during stressful times that may cause regression (new sibling, new house/room, job change for you, etc).
• Stay calm and try not to get frustrated if your child has accidents.
• Don’t push your child into potty training. Wait for their cues that they’re ready.
• Remember that your child has to be willing and able - this is not something you can force your child to do. No matter how ready you are, your child has to be ready too.
Links for Additional Potty Training Resources:
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About Julianne Creedon
Julianne is mother to 3 young kiddos ages 2, 4, and 6. She blogs for Mommy and Me Giveaways and works an almost full-time job outside of the home. Being a momma is her greatest joy in life. She says she is trying desperately to find the balance between work, home, and blog and some days the struggle is harder than others.