Potty training- not so bad

[Mighty Girl]

Update: Ok, the kiddo is no longer traumatized by the potty. Thanks to all who gave encouraging words when I was flipping out from stress before. I'm very confident that she'll be completely potty trained in due time.

I've just got one question.

Does anyone have any ideas on how to get her to use the potty away from home?

Of course, she is quite fond of using her own potty here at home, but when faced with a public bathroom (even a private actual bathroom, not just a stall), she'd much rather go in her pull up and get changed, thank you very much.

I think just throwing her in panties and letting the chips fall where they may is a bit harsh for now, but I'd like to somehow make her understand the benefit of also using a big potty.

Thanks!

[Knightmare]

I wish I had some advice for you. My daughter, the brainiac that she is, pretty much taught herself how to use the bathroom. I swear, it was extremely easy to teach her. She has no problem using the bathroom in a public place.

I think it's because we didn't "force" her to do anything. Her mother and I were extremely encouraging in all aspects of potty training. Maybe a bit too encouraging; she constantly wants to check out the bathrooms where ever she goes!

I guess just be supportive and encouraging. Let her explore the strange new bathroom before she uses it, or afterward. Stay with her and DO NOT RUSH her!

[Barefootgirl]

Sometimes if you have a pee first, it helps to reassure them that this potty is just the same as the big potty at home. I seem to have spent the last 18 months discussing toilets and toilet functions, doing a running commentary on my own "functions" and talking the Sprog through hers, looking into the toilet to see what we've produced, etc.

Best of luck !

[BunnyJas]

I deal with this sometimes with the kids I work with at school. Public bathrooms can be scary to them for a number of reasons:

*It is just an unfamiliar place in an unfamilar area.
*Sometimes public bathrooms look cold and uninviting adding to the discomfort.
*Some kids may become freaked out if the toliet is too high and they can't put their feet on the ground.

Exploring an unfamiliar bathroom with your daughter before she has to use it is a good idea- that way if she has seen it before it may not seem so overwhelming. Also if she has a toy that she likes allow her to play with that while she is on the potty- sometimes this allows kids to relax and it is something familiar in a strange place. Be sure to give her plenty of praise and maybe sometimes a reward when she does use a public potty.

Good luck with everything! :D