Reply to Potty training - how to make the transition to underwear & other questions

Forum Index » Infants, Toddlers, & Preschoolers

Reply to "Potty training - how to make the transition to underwear & other questions"

Subject:

Emoticons





More smilies

Text Color: Font: Close Marks

[quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous][quote=Anonymous]OP here. I realize he is way behind, however we tried potty training him earlier but he refused. He would cry and have a meltdown if I suggested using the potty so I didn't want to make it traumatic/scary by forcing him. It's only been as of the past few weeks he's been open to it. Now he's doing great and I'm just trying to figure out the next step.[/quote]

OP, you're fine -- ignore the haters. People who have never had a reluctant-to-train child don't understand that it has nothing to do with you trying to hold them back. Some kids just do NOT want to use the potty and you are totally right that trying to force them to never works. He's on the late side but still within the range of normal, and good for you for figuring it out because training an older 3yo is not easy (I have been there!).

But yes, get a potette (it's a little collapsible potty that you can throw in the car or stroller with a plastic bag to catch anything) so he can go when you are not near a bathroom. You can also teach him to pee in the bushes, but my experience is that slow-to-train kids can be a little stressed out by this and the potette helps them feel more secure during the transition. Once using the potty is no big deal to him, you can introduce the idea of going without a potty while on hikes and things.

One option to make the transition out of pull ups a little easier is to get cotton training pants. They are like underwear (and washable) but have some extra padding in them to soak up accidents. They do NOT prevent leaks -- if he pees in them, it will soak through. But for kids who are very attached to pull ups, these offer a tiny bit more security. I think it's really just the feel of them. Older kids have a harder time ditching diapers/pullups because they are very used to the sensation of the extra bulk and they can feel insecure and exposed in just underwear. But training pants are effectively underwear and since they are washable, he could wear them for a year if he wanted. It's a good in between step if your kid is really nervous about going to underwear.

Good luck and ignore anyone else in this thread who wants to shame you or your kid. You are doing awesome and so is he. I am sorry your DH has not been as helpful or supportive -- mine wasn't either and I definitely think it made it harder. But good for you for figuring it out. And yay for hard won potty success![/quote]

Thank you this is very helpful![/quote]

Options

	Disable HTML in this message
	Disable BB Code in this message
	Disable smilies in this message

Review message

Search Recent Topics Hottest Topics