Thursday, June 25, 2009

Potty Training Boot Camp, Now with Potty Charts

Thank you to everyone who sent along advice about potty training to me, after I wrote my last post on this subject. I think most of you could tell I was really frustrated at that point! It was really nice to hear everyone else's experiences and find out I'm not the only one who's been down in the potty training trenches.

I was already beginning to feel the time crunch with preschool starting this fall. She has to be potty trained to start the two afternoons a week program at the co-op. That was the catalyst for me, knowing it had to be done by September or else! Plus she IS going to be THREE years old and by most standards that's not exactly rushing things.

So now for the good news...the update!

Last Sunday, we only put her in training panties, the kind that are cloth with extra padding and no elastic cover. We went through NINE changes of underwear and SIX pairs of shorts but by the end of the day a break through had occurred.

The oddest thing was, she was going potty something like three times an hour, every hour. For a moment there we thought maybe she had the world's smallest bladder or at least a pea sized one. Slowly but surely she began adding stickers to her potty chart for being having dry panties and going on the potty. I didn't make it that challenging. I wanted her to get a reward quickly at first and experience some success, as you can see there were only ten slots to fill.

Monday was the big day. She earned enough stickers to fill up her first reward chart and earn a little Cinderella action figure type doll. She was very happy about that and it seems like we've turned a new leaf and now I have some hope that we may make it after all.

It's continued to get better, since then she seems a lot more aware of and wanting to go on the potty. When she doesn't make it most of the time she tells us just as she starts to go. We all run to the potty and most of the tinkles make it in where they belong. All of this is a huge improvement.

Then yesterday for the very first time ever she went on the potty in a public bathroom and did it three times. I was shocked. Just goes to show sometimes you have to take drastic action to move things along. Even if it means your floor, blanket, and couch might all take a hit, like ours did!

Thank you again for all your remarks and advice!

13 comments:

  1. YAY, congrats ER on your potty achievements, keep it up sweetie!

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  2. that is incredible news, and lets me know that we will get through it too!
    I think nine pairs of panties is ok...think about the NINE less disposables that went into the landfill ;) Its only panties. I bet she loves the feel of them too, they are so soft and must be so much more comfortable in the summer heat.

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  3. Big girl! I always thought that the award of pretty big girl panties would be a real incentive for little girls... My boys could have cared less what they wore! Ha!

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  4. YAY! Keep up the good work!

    I'm glad that you have had some breakthroughs... Even though potty training was pretty easy for me the first time around I have a feeling that it won't be so easy with Tyler. I know that they do love to get presents tho :)

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  5. way to go ER and mommy! love the potty boot camp, lol!!! sounds like you are on the right track:)

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  6. Go ER! I'm so glad to hear that you took the plunge! In another month, I bet she'll be going much less. It's definitely potty training for Mommy too...with all those trips to the bathroom. YOU have to remember, since she might not.

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  7. Yay, I'm so glad you found a method that is working for you! I hope things continue to go well!

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  8. So glad the end of diapers is in site! When Lu was training my girlfriend with an older child told me - don't worry - do you know any teenagers that aren't potty trained! Well I appreciated the sentiment but like you Pre-school was looming ahead. We had a deadline! So Bravo! maybe someone should buy you a princess doll too!

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  9. YEAH!! It took us awhile to get my son trained as well. How exciting!!

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  10. Great news. It's amazing how quickly ER figured public restrooms too. Do you use a travel seat for public restrooms?

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  11. Congratulations ER. I will start soon with the potty training (again).

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  12. Yay! What a big girl! =)

    Wishing you continued success with the potty training!

    Have a great weekend!

    Btw, I have no idea why it keeps showing I linked up-- sorry.

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  13. Alright ER!! Hot dog! I remembered when I was doing Michaela last summer. She was going so much, I thought she had a bladder infection! Now she is a pro.

    I am in no rush to do Adela. She is my last baby, I know she is three, but I will miss the baby stage:(

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