My son turned 3 December 28th and I felt like he was never going to get out of diapers. He has went potty before, so I knew that he knew what to do. It was just easier for him to use the diaper in his little mind. Just two weeks ago, "Tuesday March 25th"... I started really pushing the potty issue. I put away his pull-ups and put him in a pair of real underwear.  I made a reward calendar and every-time I checked him and he was dry...he would get a smiley sticker as well as if he went potty. If he tee tee'd in his underwear he would get a sad face. We told him once the chart was full with smiley faces...He would be taken to the toy store to pick out a toy.

I also told him...  

" It is alright if you have an accident in your undrwear but if I remind you to go potty and you don't... and you tee tee in your pants right after I remind you, you will have to wear the wet underwear... clothes and all until you go in the bathroom and sit on the toilet. 

The first day was tough and rough, a very exhausting day for both of us. After this day, I call it  "Potty Boot Camp"instead of potty training. He tee tee'd in his pants twice and HE DID NOT LIKE THE FEELING OF WEARING HIS WET CLOTHES AND WANTED THEM OFF RIGHT THEN! I did not give in at all. He threw fits like I have never seen before on the first day. I sat calmly both times at the bathroom door and would not let him pass the bathroom until he sat on the potty. This was about a 45 minute struggle each time. But, I won...he finally went in there to just sit on the potty so I would change him. He ended up tee teeing both times and I praised him for it. I then bathed him and put on clean underwear and clothes. (I also took him with me to put a sad face on the chart (which he DID not like) but, I had to stick to my word and let him know I meant business.

The second day...I did not want to get out of bed thinking it was going to be a repeat of the day before. But, as we all know, Mom's have to do whatever it takes everyday to raise and train our kids. Our job does not end at 5:00pm. We do not have sick days and are on call 24/7 but no matter how bad we might feel or frustrated we get...we have a job to do. As for myself, when I look at my babies, It makes it all worth it. Anyway, My son started the 2nd day out  by tee teeing in his pants after I ask him to go potty. It took all of about 5 minutes for him to decide to sit on the potty so I would clean him up. After this accident, I took a time out and started thinking of ways that might help me. I came up with a idea of setting a alarm clock to go off every 30 minutes. I told him "this was a potty alarm and it knows  when you need to tee tee or poo poo. So, if you hear it, you need to hurry to the potty."  I actually went online and found a alarm that you can set to go off at whatever time. It sounds like a loud frog. http://onlineclock.net/. This worked!! He ran in the bathroom sat on that potty and went every time. (I would run along with him with excitement...sorta made it like a game.) 

I also knew his schedule for the poo part of the day and told him when he needed to sit a little longer and try to "poo poo" and if he did...Daddy had a very special surprise for him... EACH TIME IT WORKED! He loved all the Dad surprises, positive feedback and praise.

I did not get upset when he tee tee'd in his pants on these two days. I just calmly waited on him to make the move before I cleaned him. It was very stressful the first day. The second day was a lot better with the alarm clock thing.

On the third day...we sat on the potty as soon as he got out of bed and he tee tee'd...the alarm was set 30 minutes later...when it went off...he jumped up and ran to the bathroom...pulled his pants down by himself and used it....wiped...pulled his pants back up and washed his hands. ( I had to adjust is underwear and pants a little but told him he was such a big boy when he went in there all by himself and done everything all alone.)  About an Hour later...He said, "Mom, I need to go potty." (No alarm or reminder at all.) My husband and I looked at each other and we both smiled...What a milestone this was for us!

 From there on....He has went potty when he needs to go without being told. He has NOT had a diaper on for 16 days now and has not had any accidents in the past 14 days. He is there 100% now (of course I put a pull-up on him at nap and bed time) I told him this was only for night night time so if he had an accident in his pants while he was asleep...he would not have a wet bed. He has done well at night as well. Wakes up dry and runs to the potty. So, once we have worn all the pull-ups we have left, We will be done with that as well.  

The chart has about 75 squares on it....Now he is putting marks on it every time he goes...He wants that toy! :o)

I was not sure if this would work at all and if it did I thought it would take at least two weeks, not two days! It is such a wonderful feeling. Now he is telling his 17 month old sister...you need to be a big kid like me and go potty....She now says...I tee tee...I pick her up and of course she is wet or had a BM but she knows the meaning of it. I even take her in the bathroom when she has a BM and drop the bm out of the diaper into the toilet and tell her this is where the stinky goes...and the tee tee. We then  flush the toilet and watch it go away...I tell her "the stinky is gone and now it is not on you anymore." She should be trained very soon! I pray anyway!

When we go out some where...I  put a pull-up on him...just in case...He has kept it dry every time...Keep in mind we only started this 16 days ago!!!

Give it a shot...He did not like to wear the wet pants and wanted them off right then! Don't give in to him/her and let him/her know you are in control...Oh one more little tip....Take him/her to the store with you and show him/her all the cool little underwear and let him/her pick some out. We are still waiting for the chart to be filled but by the first of the week....I think my son will be picking out his toy.  :o)

He is so proud of himself and tells everyone he's a big kid now. The potty chart is almost completed. We are actually starting a new one as of today. This one is not for potty though. He will get a bear in the square's every time he does something for himself. (Dress himself, socks, shoes, cleaning up his toys, brushing his teeth, ect.) This is already working. Now I need to concentrate on my 18 month old and 13 year old who is starting high school next year! I have all of this in my journal but I thought I would post it as well.  Sorry this is so long and If anyone tries this, I hope this works as fast for everyone else as it did for me.Give it a try. I would love to know your progress with whatever method you come up with. Stick with it...It will happen.

Tags: potty training

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