Potty training tips... when is the best time to train?

Question

I had an awful time with my first child.  I started at 2.5 years and struggled with him until he was 3.5 years when he became ready and it was easy from there on.

Now with the second one also at 2.5 years I am hesitant to start.  He has done pee twice and will tell me to change him that he peed or pood. But he still doesn't quite want to do it yet.  If I ask he says no thanks.  A few months ago he wanted to wear big boy undies and looking back now I wish I would have just done it then.  

Do you think I waited too long?
How should I go about potty training him now?
Or should I wait?

Ivy has Twin Boys! · Accepted Answer

Start introducing the potty at 18 months. Make it fun. Then around 24 months do the 3 day naked potty training technique. 

I used it as a nanny on a 23 month old, worked great! 

My guys are 19 months, and I am clapping for them whenever they sit on the potty. If I go potty, they sit on theirs and clap for themselves. I have them sit on it naked while I run their bath, and although they are not thrilled with this, they are getting better about it. At first it REALLY scared them, but now they just start signing "all finished" after sitting on it for 20 seconds. Hopefully over time their tolerance to sitting naked on the potty builds up.

? · Answer

Definitely do not wait any longer.  My mom trained all of us at 2 and we all caught on very quickly.  She had treats for us when we used the potty (M&Ms and little suckers).  That motivated us a great deal lol.  
My mom always gives the advice of using underwear (except for at nights at first) even if it is a pain for you.  Don't resort to pull-ups because they are too much like diapers and your child won't have a problem going in them.  Make a big deal out of buying big boy underwear (maybe with a cartoon character he loves on them) and make him wear them all the time.  If you think he needs to use the potty, make him go.  I know parents are hesitant to make kids do it because it might make them hate the potty but I think that letting them choose is a bad decision as well.  As you said, he will tell you "no thanks" if he doesn't want to go.  Kids don't want to go most of the time because they don't want to stop playing!  So, make him go regularly and reward and praise him when he does.  
Good luck!

Alyssa Staheli Beal · Answer

generally you start trying when they turn 2. In my family, we've always had rewards for using the bathroom. With girls, chocolate worked the best. With the boys though, treats didn't work as well. We ended up using games to motivate them. Dad came up with the idea of putting ping pong balls in the toilet and then the boys got to aim at them when they peed. We used a fish tank scooper to remove them and we kept them in a special bowl to maintain sanitation. We also kept the bowl in the top shelf of the bathroom closet so the boys wouldn't get into it by themselves. I hope these ideas help, good luck!

Anonymous · Answer

if he seems ready try it, dont force it

see if having him immitate his brother helps

big bro pee pee on potty ... monkey see monkey do .... little bro sits on potty and stands up and u see pee/poo in it

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Potty training tips... when is the best time to train?

4 Answers