Potty Training/Learning

[PitterPatter]

I have 3 toddlers I am trying to train. One just turned 2 another is 3 1/2 actually and the last is 2 1/2. These kids have no clue or desire. 2 of them are new and dcm claims she is working with them but when I take them to the potty it seems alien to them. Another knows and is just stubborn saying he doesnt want to potty. I have him 10 hrs every day so I have to get him moving as mom is getting irritated he is in my care most of the day it's up to me.

When I trained my son it was odd. He went for a whole week no accidents at the age of 16 months and just slowly reverted for some reason. Then a lil into the age of 2 he started staying on track and stayed with it. I had came up with an idea and started offering potty prizes. I would get little trinket toys like party favors or other small inexpensive toys and wrap them in tissue paper. I would have them on a shelf in a basket and every time my son went to the potty he got to pick 1. It was like a new present to open each time so he eventually was trying to go even when he didnt have to.

Now I can't afford to go buy toys for these 3 toddler plus the new 1 that is to start soon she is in diapers too. That would be like 12-16 toys every day at least. So I came up with a new idea of sticker charts for potty, and whoever got the most stickers at the end of the week would get a small prize/toy of their choice from the basket. Now I am rethinking it. I don't want to make any other child feel bad that they didn't get a prize so now what do I do? Maybe just if they get at least 1 sticker per day they get a prize at the end of the week? What would u do?

A mother wanted me to reward her kid with chocolate because he loves it but I dont want them hyped up (even tho some tests show sugar doesnt really hype a kid) I have to make it fair and equal I cant hand 1 kid chocolate and others stickers but as of now these kids aren't doing well with training so I have to come up with something interesting quick.

[Unregistered]

What I do for my potty trainers is just stickers. You can go on line and look up potty charts. I hang ours in the bathroom and everytime they go to the bathroom (they actually have to go) they receive a sticker. Also I keep a jar of broken up graham crackers, mini cookies, goldfish, etc. After the sticker and washing the hands they can pick a yummy out of the jar. Works wonders!!!!!!! Hope this helps.

[cheerfuldom]

I don't offer candy or any other incentive to my DC kids. They all stay in diapers or pull ups until they have a few days accident free and then they go to regular underwear (pullups for naps if needed). Everyone goes potty every 30 minutes upon starting to train until they start holding it longer or start telling me they have to go. Again, no incentive, they just get in there and try whether they like it or not. It is really, really important that you have parents support on this but obviously, not going to happen in a lot of cases. Worse, some will straight out lie to you and meanwhile, sabotage progress at home. I wouldn't worry about stickers, potty charts and all the gimmicks. Thats just my opinion. I take kids over and over until they get that this is what we do at daycare, period. Somebody else here may have some brighter ideas but this is what works for me. Definitely goes quicker if parents are on board so its up to you if you want to set any sort of restrictions. I do insist on two full changes of clothing (including socks) as well as all diapers/pullups/panties supplied by the parents. You might consider a few gender neutral shirt/short options for back up clothes in emergency but don't let the parents take advantage of that. I don't potty train anyone under 2 unless the parents are really consistent at home and the child shows that they are capable (never happened yet!). My own kids are trained before 2 but I don't find that to be the norm with my DC parents. I insist they begin training at home but it doesn't always work out that way. At a certain point, I just start myself because I am sick of putting a huge kid on the changing table! I also don't train any child that is not confidently walking yet or any child that does not have the basic speech capabilities to associate words with this action. For instance, I have a special needs kid here that is almost 21 months and JUST started taking a few steps. Her parents wanted to start training at 18 months but I said no. They can do whatever they want at home but I was positive that she was not ready for that whatsoever. She couldn't even stand on her own unassisted at that age and had maybe two words at the time. Anyway, just a few thoughts. Hope you find some help here!

[Hunni Bee]

I'm training a 3 year old right now. His mom said he was trained and brought him in undies the first two days...but it was obvious he wasnt trained really, he just could hold it long enough to wear underwear for a few mins.

I immediately switched back to pullups (which i hate, but had no choice). We went to the potty every 30 minutes. If he refuses, we go to the table for 2 or 3 minutes (it never gets to this). We stand there, if he goes, I give mild praise. If he doesnt, he goes back to play and we try again in five minutes. We moved up to 45 minutes after a few days, then an hour. Now I ask once during each activity. He's still doesnt tell me he has to go, but no accidents, not even at nap.

I dont do any stickers, treats, anything...I'm just so upbeat at potty time that its fun anyway. But one thing I dont do is them refusing. If you dont have to go, fine, but we're going to try. If you dont want to try, we're going to wait until you do.

If someone is completely resistant to potty training, don't force it. I'm assuming its one of the 2 year olds, so he's got a little time. Don't let the mom getting irritating bother you...you're providing child care, not a potty-training course. Its not all on you...if she is insisting that he get potty-trained now, then its on her. He needs to be diapered as long as he's not potty-trained (dont let her force him into underwear at your place). Offer the potty to him every day, and praise him if he tries it, but dont let it stress you.

[PitterPatter]

Thank u for the advise!

The 2 1/2 yr old is with me 10 hrs I may have a shot at training him being he is here with me all day. But the other 2 go home by 4:00 usually only 6 hrs so if the parents aren't on board I know it's going to be a waste. The dcg will be 4 by end of summer and has no clue! DCM says she is working with her but when I 1st took her to potty here she was like huh? Obviously dcm lied to me. I don't mind changing diapers as I make the parents supply them but it starts to bother me changing children when they get older. Few yrs ago I had a 4 1/2 yr old boy in diapers, he was very tall for his age too. Very difficult time.

[Hunni Bee]

With the the older ones, you kinda have to be firm. 3.5 and 4 year olds still in diapers and pull-ups around the clock...unless there's a developmental issue...thats a bit much. If she's clueless on pottying, then you're right, mom probably lied...probably to put the ball in your court (okay I started it, now you finish it)

She probably needs to see the potty every 20 minutes or so. If she's on the potty every 20 minutes, she will pee in there at least once. After a while, she will start to connect that pee goes in this thing, and the quicker I get some in it, the sooner I can go back and play. If she's going kicking and screaming, then there's really no use in taking her...but still say "Okay Lucy, me and Susie are going to try the potty, wanna come?" with a big several times a day...

I agree...changing a pull-up (especially a poop one!!) on a 45 -50 popound child bothers me.

[PitterPatter]

With the the older ones, you kinda have to be firm. 3.5 and 4 year olds still in diapers and pull-ups around the clock...unless there's a developmental issue...thats a bit much. If she's clueless on pottying, then you're right, mom probably lied...probably to put the ball in your court (okay I started it, now you finish it)

She probably needs to see the potty every 20 minutes or so. If she's on the potty every 20 minutes, she will pee in there at least once. After a while, she will start to connect that pee goes in this thing, and the quicker I get some in it, the sooner I can go back and play. If she's going kicking and screaming, then there's really no use in taking her...but still say "Okay Lucy, me and Susie are going to try the potty, wanna come?" with a big several times a day...

I agree...changing a pull-up (especially a poop one!!) on a 45 -50 popound child bothers me.

I try to make it as upbeat as possible I even do this silly potty dance/song when they go. I showed the new kids what they will get to see me do and they burst out laughing. I think I will really kick things off tomorrow make a potty paty of sorts I even have a few potty videos the kids can watch while I prepare lunch. Thanks everyone for your help!!

[cheerfuldom]

you might talk to the DCM about what her definition of potty training is....some people really don't have a clue. She might have put her kid on the potty once and then proudly announced "they are potty training/trained" after the first catch (or even first try). She might only be taking them once or twice instead of really being consistent. Perhaps you can go over what your policy is there, your approach to training and what you are and are not willing/able to do. Sometimes some communication can really get the ball rolling.

[unregistered]

I'm potty training 2 right now, was three but he completed the potty training in 1 week so I'm now down to the two girls. The one little girl just turned 3 and was wearing pull-ups and would go on the toilet but would also go in pull-ups alot. I finally told the parents to put her in dresses and real panties and lets see what happens. They brought her the next day in a dress and panties and we have been accident free for two days. She even tells me she has to go to the bathroom which she wouldn't in the pull-ups. I think she knew that she could go in them and it wouldn't be a problem. I've always noticed that children who wear pull-ups potty train slower because it is no different than a diaper. Everyone that we have put in underwear will potty train in a week! We do go in every hour and the little boy that did it in a week, his parents and other provider had been trying for quite awhile but with no results. His mom was sooooo excited that he did it so quickly here.

[PitterPatter]

you might talk to the DCM about what her definition of potty training is....some people really don't have a clue. She might have put her kid on the potty once and then proudly announced "they are potty training/trained" after the first catch (or even first try). She might only be taking them once or twice instead of really being consistent. Perhaps you can go over what your policy is there, your approach to training and what you are and are not willing/able to do. Sometimes some communication can really get the ball rolling.

Just thought I'd update here also.

I went out and bought a new toilet seat with characters on it thinking it may help interest the kids. (old one was plain white boring)

I asked the DCM this morning how she is going about with the potty training. She just blows it off with she's doing ok. I ask how she is approaching it because the dcg doesn't seem to get it. She said "oh, well I just wait for her to tell me when she has to potty". I ask how often she tells her at home because she never tells me here at all. (I just keep taking them and hoping ). She says "not every day but sometimes she will say she wants to go too when she sees me using it" That is NOT potty training! No wonder she looks at me like I'm nuts. Then the Mom tells me if "u are having a problem just let her watch u go pee and she will probably want to go after u" Sorry lady I do not permitt children to watch me use the restroom! We will try something else here.

[PitterPatter]

I'm potty training 2 right now, was three but he completed the potty training in 1 week so I'm now down to the two girls. The one little girl just turned 3 and was wearing pull-ups and would go on the toilet but would also go in pull-ups alot. I finally told the parents to put her in dresses and real panties and lets see what happens. They brought her the next day in a dress and panties and we have been accident free for two days. She even tells me she has to go to the bathroom which she wouldn't in the pull-ups. I think she knew that she could go in them and it wouldn't be a problem. I've always noticed that children who wear pull-ups potty train slower because it is no different than a diaper. Everyone that we have put in underwear will potty train in a week! We do go in every hour and the little boy that did it in a week, his parents and other provider had been trying for quite awhile but with no results. His mom was sooooo excited that he did it so quickly here.

Wow great job!! I hope my 3 all take to it that easy. 1/2 the battle is getting all 3 of them to go upstairs. Usually theres 1 saying no I don't want to and I can't leave them alone especially on seperate levels of the house. Today I told 1 dcb he could bring the toy with him and play with it in the hall while we waited for his turn. It worked out I just hope it continues.

[daycare]

I potty trained all of my DCk. We did party praise...

After one solid week of group potty training, we then moved on to solo potty time and used a clothes pin schedule. Name on the clothes pin. They would rotate potty time. EX: 5 clothes pens the person on the bottom moved to the top and was sent to the bathroom. When they came out of the bathroom I had all of the other kids roar and cheer " Yeah joey, great job Joey, hooorray for joey. We would all clap our hands. The schedule rotation was about every 25-30 minutes one child went to the toilet. they were also allowed to go whenever needed.

[PitterPatter]

I potty trained all of my DCk. We did party praise...

After one solid week of group potty training, we then moved on to solo potty time and used a clothes pin schedule. Name on the clothes pin. They would rotate potty time. EX: 5 clothes pens the person on the bottom moved to the top and was sent to the bathroom. When they came out of the bathroom I had all of the other kids roar and cheer " Yeah joey, great job Joey, hooorray for joey. We would all clap our hands. The schedule rotation was about every 25-30 minutes one child went to the toilet. they were also allowed to go whenever needed.

Cool idea!! TY for sharing!

[Hunni Bee]

Then the Mom tells me if "u are having a problem just let her watch u go pee and she will probably want to go after u" Sorry lady I do not permitt children to watch me use the restroom!

Really??? I can hear the country reports...."and she lets the kids watch her go to the BATHROOM!!!"