Some parents just don't get it I swear! Kinda long. Need to vent!

[lvnmommyhood]

Some parents just don't get it I swear.  Granted I'm no expert but I have had success at least potty training one child.  I babysit a 2 1/2 year old boy and when it comes to potty training him I swear his parents haven't a clue.  I put my daughter in panties at two and let her wet herself so she could really feel the sensation of going.  It didn't take her long at all to figure it out; I also used M&M's as a rewards system for her successes.  We had a few minor set backs here and there, but over all I feel that training her was a big success.  Now she RARELY has accidents. 

I have offered to do the same for this little boy which is really big of me considering he would be peeing on my floors and I would have to clean it up, but his parents didn't seem interested.  They have simply just been waiting for their child to tell them when he needs to go pee and that's about it except for a few times they have even encouraged him to pee in the shower which apparently he has done a few times successfully.  Their theory was that as long as it was the toilet or the shower it didn't matter because they were just trying to help him understand what his body was doing.  They have asked him if he has to go and he has said no so they don't push the issue much with him and are trying to let him take the lead on it 100%. 

Now I understand you can't force a child to go to toilet train if he isn't ready but for Pete's sake he's ready.  The child can go almost an entire day with only one diaper change which shows me he has control.  Lately his interest has perked because I have been allowing him to watch my daughter go as encouragement for him to learn.  Yesterday he showed up and his mother exclaimed how he asked to go and went in the potty that morning so they packed some pullups and regular diapers for him that day just in case.  All day he kept telling me he had to go so I let him try.  He never had any success at it, but he was interested and at least wanting to try, so I figured that was a start.  Most of the time he would go in his pullup and then tell me he had to go.  I would still put him on the pot just in case he had anymore left to get rid of, but he didn't.  I was pleased that at last, we may actually be getting serious about this process.

Then today he shows up without any pullups, only diapers.  He is still telling me he needs to go, but not actually going when I put him on the pot.  He is still telling me he has to go after he has already gone in his diaper.  I don't want to discourage his new enthusiasm by not letting him try to go after he has told me he has to go and already went in his diaper, but trying to let him go on the potty using diapers is so hard!  This means I have to take a diaper off, let him try, then lay him on the rug and put a new diaper on.  It is so hard for me to get off the floor being almost 7 months pregnant.  If they would have just packed pullups this wouldn't be an issue.  Are we toilet training this kid or not?  If so, give me some pullups for crying outloud.  Not only is it harder for me, but what kind of message are we sending the kid by sometimes making him wear diapers and sometimes pullups.  In my opinion you either potty train or you don't there is no inbetween. 

So if you care to comment feel free, but I don't want any bashing please. This is just my personal take on the issue and it is really frustrating me at the moment. 

[weloveourhailey]

Sep. 16, 2008 at 6:55 PM

Well....while pull-ups are easier to get on and off, they're still diapers.  I think first off, have a serious conversation with the parents but try not to force your suggestions since it is their kid.  Then, if it were me, I'd do underwear only.  But make sure they are consistant at home or you'll be changing poop out of undies for nothing!  Oh you are brave.  I wouldnt want to PT someone else's kid lol

[.Amanda.Dawn.]

Oct. 24, 2008 at 11:35 PM

I've been a nanny for several families and I've had this problem a lot!  I totally understand where you're coming from.  In my experience, most parents are gonna do what they're gonna do.  But, I wish they'd listen to others sometimes.  I agree with you that this kid is ready to be potty trained and the parents just need to be consistent.  They should be thanking you for offering to potty train him for them!  Anyway, maybe suggest a potty training book that advocates picking a potty training week and sticking with it.  I think there's one called 1-2-3 potty training or something like that.  Good luck!