3 year old daughter wont use her potty

[nanny dawn]

my daughter who is 3 next month shows no interest in being potty trained.

She knows when she is doing a number 2 but will go and 'hide' somewhere. Also she will not leave her nappy off and will not go near a potty.

I am at my wits end and dont know how to tackle the situation.

Please help!

[Amiira]

Hi nanny dawn, have you tried using those pull up pants. And keep a potty about all the time, and just keep asking her if she wants to go. (its tedious) but make it fun.

You will get there in the end. Some kiddies just take a bit longer than others!

Good luck x

[katangel26]

I've never quite believed in the pull up pants (they just think they're wearing a nappy, which they are, they still look and feel like nappies). I think it will just take time. Have you tried any of the many 'sticker charts' that are available for toilet training?

Some children just don't take to it, it can sometimes take ages, so she's not alone.

[Amiira]

I know what you mean about the pull up pants Kat, but instead of laying on their backs being changed out of a nappy, they get used to pulling them down, like proper pants. Copying mum (though I never wore pull up pants!)

They all get there in the end. (thankfully)

[enigma]

Part 1 : Hi nanny dawn. Although the recommended age to begin potty training is around two to two and a half years old , it is really a question of when YOUR child is ready. This is only a guideline to work to but some children do take a little longer. She may never even use the potty and instead go straight to the toilet , as my youngest daughter did. She was a bit of a slow starter too - just turned three - and did not want to use the potty at all. I even tried putting her Disney Princess stickers on it to personalise it but she was not interested at all. In the end , I tried her with the little plastic toilet seat and steps for toilet training and she loved the novelty of climbing up and down the steps. It made her feel like a big girl because she knew that mummy , daddy and big sister all used the 'big' toilet.

Have you tried taking her to the toilet with you when you need to go ? It might sound silly but if you show her that there is nothing to be scared of and make it into a silly game , saying bye bye when you flush away the pee pee , then she may respond well to that.

It is important to stay upbeat about the whole potty training as your daughter will pick up on any negativity and frustration from you and may feel worse. Reward her with big hugs , clapping of hands etc when she even sits on the toilet/potty - even when she doesn't do anything ........ it's a step in the right direction. Draw up a little chart for her and tell her that every time she sits on the toilet/potty , she can stick a sticker on it and if she does something in it , then she can have a little chocolate button or equivalent. The more you reward her for her achievements , the more likely she will be to want to continue.

[enigma]

It can be a very trying time but perseverance is the key. Stay calm , reward her efforts for trying and remember that it is important not to push her on the matter as she could develop a fear of the toilet. At three years old , children have all kinds of wacky ideas and imagine all sorts , like being sucked down the toilet ! She will come in her own good time.

Pull ups can be helpful , especially when they come with Dora the explorer and Disney Princess on them. Try personalising her potty too , let her help or try her on the big toilet and tell her that she's a big girl now. She may be too big for the potty now anyway and it might be hurting her sitting on it. Hope this helps. Good luck x

[nanny dawn]

thanks for the answers!!!

: )

[Solarjunkie]

I know at least one child who was dry following a two week stay with grandma - different surroundings, different approach, no "history" of tension.......
Could that happen?

[Solarjunkie]

Oh, and just remember - have you ever seen a (normal) child at school in nappies?

[nanny dawn]

hi again, well since the new term Lu goes to playschool in the afternoon and will wear panties but at home its nappy or she just wets!!!

I suppose its just a matter of perservering!

Kids!! LOL