When does the potty training torment ever end?

[BlessedMommy]

Hannah is 39 months. A couple of months ago, I thought that she was finally done potty training. She went a couple of weeks with no accidents at all. Well, now she is having REGULAR poop accidents.

She is nighttime potty trained--goes 12 hours at night and stays dry. It's the day that's killing me. A lot of times she'll say, "I have to go potty, it's coming out. No, it's staying in. No, it's coming out."

I imagine that holding it too long could be some of the cause of the accidents. But sometimes she has accidents even when I've been reminding her to go to the bathroom.

I HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE HATE poop. I feel like screaming and giving up right now.

Help me somebody.

[JoyLynn]

Ruth, when any of my kids had the tendency to do the potty mess around, not going on time, I made them go potty every few hours and made them sit there for a few minutes. We'd make a big deal about whatever they could produce for me to see. No flushing until I saw it. It was made a fun event during the day.

I hated accidents, too. Especially the poop kind! Had no trouble involving a little treat when toilet potties were produced for mommy to see! It was worth it! Also, as a side note, kids do sometimes get into the habit of holding poop, and I'm sure you know how hard that can be on their systems. It causes their colons to be too big and stretched out, and then they become constipated with little poopy chunks that'll fall out. It can be quite an ordeal to get them back to being regular once that happens, and it's sooo common!



Joy

[Crissyanna]

Dainie went through a stage. It was a battle of the wills. I ended up promising her that we would go and get a new dollie (previously chosen) when she could go poop in the potty for a whole week. And if she chose to stop going in the toilet, she knew she would have to earn it back. I don't know if Hannah can reason like that, but it may be worth a shot.

I had a friend who went and bought a Thomas the Tank engine their son was coveting, and placed it on a high shelf where he could see it from sitting on the toilet. The kid was cured in two days.

[breezykc2]

Ummm...totally...about 5. Potty Training..."The Valley of the Shadow of Death!"

[Cheeseburger]

Katherine's on track to be the first college freshman ever still in diapers - maybe hannah can join her. hahaha

[BlessedMommy]

Originally Posted by breezykc2

Ummm...totally...about 5. Potty Training..."The Valley of the Shadow of Death!"

I totally agree Breezy!

[JoyLynn]

Originally Posted by breezykc2

Potty Training..."The Valley of the Shadow of Death!"

Okay, I do mostly agree with this. heehee! I really disliked potty training. But, do take heart, five is not the norm in my experience. With the correct approach and discipline, it should go much more quickly, PTL. We did have to deal with many of the potty hang ups with our four, but they were all potty trained by three (plus a few months), and I didn't consider them early trainers (other than Chloe' cuz she just copied her sibs).

You can do it, Ruth! You're doing a wonderful job, my friend. Keep up the awesome work!



Joy

[His butterfly]

Just want to say hang in there Ruth. It can be tough at times. My youngest went into her playhouse yesterday and peed on the floor. For no good reason except to pee. I know our girls are only a month apart in age. This too shall pass. I'm right there with you.

[breezykc2]

Okay, I'll clarify....by 5...I mean NO accidents whatsoever...even with tummy issues/the runs. No worries at all ever. To be trained and maybe a rare accident...3.5 years. Didn't mean to scare you! LOL

[Madre]

Originally Posted by Crissyanna

I had a friend who went and bought a Thomas the Tank engine their son was coveting, and placed it on a high shelf where he could see it from sitting on the toilet. The kid was cured in two days.

I can attest that rewards and bribery don't always work. But...don't give up hope. We have five grown kids that are completely potty trained.