If you had to potty train a second time...

[Anonymous]

(meaning the first time was unsuccessful, not as in a second child), was it easier the second time around? How long did you wait? What age?

[Anonymous]

For us, it 100% was easier. We started to train my oldest son when he was about 2.5, but had a major regression after two major events in our family (a close family member passed away, and we moved cross country). We ended up going back to pull ups, and then full-time diapers about a month later. He was in those for another year, and announced he was ready to wear undies one weekend, about 3 months before his 4th birthday. He had one accident after making the switch, and that was it.

If I had to do it again, I 100% would. He told us when he was ready, and after that it was smooth sailing.

[Anonymous]

We had to do two tries with my son and three with my daughter before it "took". In both cases, the first (and with my daughter, second) time were miserable weekends. So stressful, so many accidents and kids crying. So, we took 4-ish months off, and tried again. Then it was so easy. Hardly any accidents and not stressful.

I'm a firm believer that when they're ready, they're ready. My kids weren't ready until they were about 3. Prior to trying potty training, my daughter showed all those signs of readiness they talk about, so don't rely on that. If they don't NEED to be potty trained for preschool, I would put them back in pull-ups and try again a few months later. There's no reason to stress everyone out like that.

[Anonymous]

Yeah, we started, gave up, and tried again a few months later. I think we started too early. DD was about 20 months and we tried it during a week home from daycare, but were not successful. It didn't seem like we were getting anywhere and she was nowhere near close when she had to go back to daycare, so we stopped for a while. Tried again around 24 months and it was done in three days. I think she was way, way more motivated by rewards (sticker chart) at that point and that was the key difference. And probably just had better control of her body by then. But pretty sure it was the stickers.

[Anonymous]

We tried around 2.5 and he wasn't into it - it turned into a big fight to get him to sit on the potty. We gave up and tried again a bit after he turned three, and it was way better - we bribed him with little toys and fun underwear that he got to pick out, and that worked great. He has never had an accident at home (he did have two accidents on his first "no diaper" day at preschool, but has never had one since).

I will note that at 2.5 he had a lot of the signs they say to watch for - he definitely knew when he was peeing/pooping, and would tell us when he needed a new diaper. But he was just so resistant. Maybe if we had started with the bribery from the get-go it would have worked the first time.

[Anonymous]

We’re in the thick of the second time around and no, it is not easier. DD is over three and still very resistant. We tried six months ago.

[Anonymous]

We just waited a long time to do it, according to DCUM, but it was an easy process all three times. Kids trained at 3.5, 3.25, and 2.5. All boys.

When they are ready it is easy. When they are not ready, it is hell.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:We just waited a long time to do it, according to DCUM, but it was an easy process all three times. Kids trained at 3.5, 3.25, and 2.5. All boys.

When they are ready it is easy. When they are not ready, it is hell.

3.5 is really old to still be in diapers. DD is completely resistant to potty training and is 3 and three months and the only one in her class still in pull-ups and has been for months. They won’t move her up until she’s in underwear.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just waited a long time to do it, according to DCUM, but it was an easy process all three times. Kids trained at 3.5, 3.25, and 2.5. All boys.

When they are ready it is easy. When they are not ready, it is hell.

3.5 is really old to still be in diapers. DD is completely resistant to potty training and is 3 and three months and the only one in her class still in pull-ups and has been for months. They won’t move her up until she’s in underwear.

Boys typically train later than girls, particularly at nighttime. 3.5 is not at all unheard of, ask a pediatrician.

[Anonymous]

We potty trained at 2.5 and failed then again at 3 and it was successful. At 3, my daughter could be reasoned with. We ended up giving her rewards for using the potty and that went well. She was potty trained in 2 days without much fuss or the need to run around naked for days like the Oh Crap method.

We did immediate awards, not reward charts. Use the potty, get a sticker or piece of candy or to watch a show right then. Don't use the potty and there's no punishment but we'd give her some encouragement and she'd help us clean up.

[Anonymous]

Anonymous wrote:

Anonymous wrote:We just waited a long time to do it, according to DCUM, but it was an easy process all three times. Kids trained at 3.5, 3.25, and 2.5. All boys.

When they are ready it is easy. When they are not ready, it is hell.

3.5 is really old to still be in diapers. DD is completely resistant to potty training and is 3 and three months and the only one in her class still in pull-ups and has been for months. They won’t move her up until she’s in underwear.

We are in the same boat with our DD and while it is very frustrating, I increasingly think it is much more typical than a lot of people will lead you to believe. I think some kids are genuinely just not ready until later, and then it gets made worse because there is pressure to train and it gets more intense the older they get, and the pressure only makes them more resistant. It sucks.

Also, the 3yos at her PK this year were only about half potty trained enough to be in underwear. Everyone else wore pull ups. At times I wished she was the only one in pull ups because I think it would have incentived her to get out of the pull ups. She was one of the older 3yos but when they are all in the same class that doesn't mean anything to them. We're hoping she makes progress this summer but you know, if I have to send my 4yo to school in pull ups, that's what I have to do. I have learned that the timeline is not under my control.