It's like when you're 39 weeks pregnant and it feels like that kid inside is NEVER coming out....even though you know, inevitably, that it will...
That is how I feel about potty training and my three year old right now. It seems like she's never going to WANT to fully do it. YEP. She's completely content playing away and going in her diaper without the interruption of having to run to the potty. She is completely capable of reading her body signals of having to go, of holding it for HOURS, of pulling pants up and down, flushing, washing, etc. My work is done.
So, since I've tried everything I can possibly think of to motivate her to actually do it, I am backing off, letting go, giving up, and WAITING for her to decide she is ready to do it. (NOTE: Some days I am good at this, but other days it just drives me CrAzY and I wish I could FORCE her to just DO IT!)
We really have tried a ton of different things to motivate her.
-Potty party
-stickers
-tons of praise
-jumping up and down like a goon
-calling grandma to tell her
-hugs
-high fives
-treats
-Her favorite character underwear (she periodically asks me if she can wear it and I tell her when she keeps her diaper dry for a few days, she can wear it)
-a stamp card and a stamp for every time she goes to show her beloved preschool teacher
-special outings like bowling or Boondocks once she builds up 10 stickers
-MONEY! A coin in a jar for every time she goes
-potty books
-potty videos
-modeling
-she's taught her 'potty doll' how to go
-letting her run around bare
-a potty dance/song that makes her laugh
-we've even tried opening the window for 'fresh air' when we change her poopy diapers but the real reason is so it's slightly uncomfortable for her to have to wear a diaper and have it changed (she hates being cold) although we don't make it seem like a punishment, just a matter-of-fact necessity.
She mentally and physically is a potty pro. She's just not ready emotionally yet. She doesn't care enough. She'll even say things like telling her friend, "Big girls use the potty." and she's even said to me, "I'll use the potty someday, mom, you'll see"
So....I will wait. I will listen to the wisdom of my preschooler. I just hope that 'someday' comes before Elementary School. THAT might pose a little problem.
Oh the first real tastes of power struggles!!! If only we knew that this one didn't matter as much as it seems! You're doing great!!! Frustrating beyond tears...hang in there!
ReplyDeleteYour mentre needs to be..."she won't go to college in a diaper" then believe it! If there's an activity that she can't do because of the diapers (like go to school) that's great! Mourn the missing out with her. You're doing the right thing to back off completely. It's just hard not to show how much it irks you. Good luck playing it cool!!!
p.s. I love her wise and all knowing comments!!! (although you must have a hard time not just laughing in her face when she says that!)
Tristan is 6 and in kindergarten and still has accidents and has to wear a pull up at night. Some kids just don't "want" to, like you said. I think your doing great. Know that you are not alone. Tristan drives me NUTS!! lol =)
ReplyDeleteThanks for the comments, JaNae and Stephanie. It's nice to feel I'm not alone and that it will be ok. :)
ReplyDeleteI went through the same thing with Tyson. It was horrible. 8 months of trying everything and then I gave up. 2 months later he came to me and was ready. It was sooooo easy after that. I've already thought about trying with our almost 2 year old and Thayne reminds me how horrible the last experience was. Why would I want to do this again?
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