[blparent] any thoughts on potty training.

[Julie J]

My .02 on potty training.  It's been a while for me, but I still remember 
the frustration.  Also I have a boy and I think that makes a difference.

I tried everything under the sun I could think of.  We read books from the 
library.  We sang songs to make the experience fun and happy.  I gave out 
stickers, candy and other briberies.  I had his Dad demonstrate the 
procedure.  I let Kiddo pick out a potty seat that he liked.  I tried 
getting all excited and making a big deal of big boy underwear.  I tried 
having him try every hour. Seriously I tried every suggestion.

I asked the pediatrician about it.  She said, "Don't worry about it.  Kids 
will potty train themselves when they are ready.  I haven't had any kids go 
to kindergarten still in diapers."  I tried very hard to wait until he was 
ready.  But kindergarten kept getting closer and closer.

Then he spent a week with Grandma and like magic he was potty trained when 
he got home.  To her credit my mother is a preschool teacher and very good 
with kids.

I really think what it came down to is that he really didn't care whether or 
not he was wet and he didn't care that this was important to me.  He did 
care that it was important to Grandma.

So there is my story at how I failed at potty training!  I hope it helps 
someone else feel a little less like a parenting failure.
Julie
P.S.  I did just think of one method I didn't try...the no pants at all 
method.  The thought of cleaning carpets was horrifying.