The Tedious Journey Through Potty Training

I certainly do not want to be one of those mothers who feel it's necessary to rush my children into potty training.  I believe the little ones will figure it out in their own time and it doesn't have to be the minute they reach the age of two. 

My son was only one month shy of turning three when he was potty trained and that did not include night time training.  I was in no hurry and I knew he'd start using the potty when he was good and ready and I wanted him to be comfortable with the process.  At age two we bought a cute little frog potty and also a Cars themed potty seat for our regular toilet.  I introduced them both to him by telling him what it was for and having him try it out here and there.  My son has always been pretty smart and never gave me an issue with anything so I'm sure he would have trained a lot sooner if I had pushed him.  But I didn't.  Not until he was close to turning three did I realize I had to make a better effort at getting him to use the potty regularly.  A friend of mine said that she had her son wear underwear and stopped using diapers.  That worked out well so I decided to give it a try.  Little ones are used to going in their diapers and it becomes a habit.  Also, I don't like pullups.  They are the same as diapers except it's easier to pull them up and down.  They are also expensive.  So I decided to buy some underwear and give that a try.  It worked like a charm. 

He wore his underwear and I had him sit on the potty every fifteen minutes or so.  He got the hang of it rather quickly.  Only one wet accident, which had him very upset with himself, and he was trained immediately.  We could even take the 40 minute trip to my parents' house without any accidents.  By his third birthday he was trained. 

I have a feeling my daughter's experience with the potty will be quite different.  At some point around the start of turning two she did go a few times and we clapped and cheered for her.  I really thought she was going to be consistent and be trained early but she gave up rather quickly.  Again, I didn't want to push her or force her.  She'll also get it when she's ready and willing. 

She's 29 months old and still not interested nor willing.  That's okay, right?  They say girls are easier to train then boys.  (Insert laughter here) That's certainly not the case in this house. 

My daughter is very indecisive.  She'll tell me she wants to use the potty but as soon as I take her into the bathroom she says "No, go in my diaper!"  Then I take her out of the bathroom and she points to the bathroom and cries for the potty.  Then again it's "no potty, in my diaper."  She's also very strong-willed and wants to fight me over everything.  It's okay though.  She's not quite two and a half yet.  As much as I'd like to say bye-bye to diapers I know my daughter will be potty trained in her own time. 

I did buy underwear for her.  Size 2T Disney princess underwear that I thought she would love and be willing to wear.  I slipped a pair of Rapunzel undies on this morning and she did well for awhile.  She refused to sit on the potty and I had hoped she would at least tell me if she had to go.  After a few hours she did tell me.  She held her legs together and said "go potty."  I grabbed her and we ran to the bathroom and I sat her on the potty.  At first she fought with me but then she sat down and I clapped for her.  She didn't do anything but I wanted her to see my excitement in regards to her effort.  She gave up after a few minutes and left nothing in the potty.  Well, then I came to find she had already peed ... on the floor in the living room.  Ugh.  Underwear trick = Fail!

I'm not willing to get frustrated over this.  Potty training comes easy for some little ones but not others.  Like I said, it will happen when she's ready and I'm okay with waiting.