Potty training question for parents

[CaroPhoenix]

My beautiful, wonderful daughter Kelly is ready for Potty Training (I think and so does my mom). She can hold her movements for up to 5 hours sometimes. (Like she did yesterday, but today, it seemed as if everytime I turned around, she needed a new diaper/training pant).

I have one of those kiddie toilet seats that go on the regular toilet seat so she doesn't fall through. She loves to sit on it. She has the wipe, throw in toilet, flush part down. It's just the first part she's having a little trouble with. On Sunday, August 13, my mom was able to get her to go on the toilet. However, since then, all she's done is sit! My mom is beginning to think that was a fluke.

Should I continue to go with the kiddie seat or should I get a little potty, place it in front of the TV and let her sit on it all day? (That's what my mom did with my sister, and my mom then rewarded her with M&M(R)'s - however, my daughter HATES M&M(R)'s!) Does anyone have any advice?

Oh yes, Kelly doesn't talk (she's going to be starting school on September 5 in a special ed program to help her with that - that'll be another post, I'm sure!) Anyway, I'm also thinking of making a little flashcard-like thing that has a picture of the toilet and try to get her, when she needs to go, to have her hand it to me so I'll know. But I don't know if it'll work. Any ideas will be appreciated!

[thegiraffe]

How old is she, and (don't take this the wrong way), what is she delayed in? I'll have a psych degree in December and have lots of experience with kids - potty-training and all!

[XCashier]

There are videos aimed at children to encourage them in potty-training. If you don't mind having to play it over and over, it might be worthwhile to invest in one.

Use the toilet kiddie seat, to get her used to using the big toilet.

[CaroPhoenix]

How old is she, and (don't take this the wrong way), what is she delayed in? I'll have a psych degree in December and have lots of experience with kids - potty-training and all!

I've been told she exhibits "Global Developmental Delays". I'm not sure exactly what that means, but she needs help with basically everything. Though she is really smart. If she wants a banana out of the fruit basket, she climbs onto the counter and gets it herself; if she wants to hear music, she climbs my bookcase and turns on the CD player. She can follow really simple directions (i.e., put the garbage in the garbage can).

She doesn't talk (aside from Momma, Ma, up, and uh-oh). That's the big reason I'm getting her into special education.

[strawbabies]

idrinkarum, I don't have kids yet, so I don't have any advice, but I have to commend you for getting your daughter the help she needs. I used to work with a woman whose son was 4, and couldn't talk yet, just mumbled. Everybody was telling her she needed to get him some help, but she insisted that he was fine because she could understand what he wanted. You're a good mom.

[NightAngel]

I'd see how she feels about the big toilet. It's a fact that some kids are scared to sit on it even with the potty seat. Don't push her into it. If she is uncomfortable with the big toilet a potty chair is fine.

One idea is to put the chair in the bathroom and have her try and go while you're going. Yes, gross... how embarassing, etc. But kids mimic their family and learn by example.

You could also put a chart for the day next to the potty seat and each time she goes let her put a shiney gold star on it, when she doesn't go in the potty have her put an X with a black crayon. This works for some kids as they just want to see the pretty shineys all over the page. Other kids it doesn't phase at all one way or another.

[thegiraffe]

Generally, kids will begin to potty train when they're ready. I'd recommend trying to make a game of it and have her do a "pee-pee dance" when she has to go. She can make it up and all, and it'll let you know when she has to go. Also, going to the store and picking out a special pair of "big girl underpants" could also be an incentive. At school, we'll put the pull-up on under the "big girl/boy underpants" so they feel excited to wear them, and get used to them.

Also, is she older than 3 1/2? That's the generally accepted high-end of potty-training. Maybe the teachers in the special ed program could have some ideas also.

[CaroPhoenix]

Thanks for the advice everyone! Kelly just turned 3 on July 8. She never showed any interest in the potty until just around her 3rd birthday. She loves to sit on the potty! I'm thinking of running the water and reading to her. (My Memo - my mom's mom - used to sing to me and run the water). I might wait, the Child Find advisors said that when I talk to the teacher (who will call sometime next week), I should mention her lack of potty training and they will work on it with/for me. Whew. I'm getting nervous with the thought of school for her!