Here we are… the dreadful bit of parenting has arrived… POTTY TRAINING! Argh, help us all! Now that Matthew is nearly 3 years and 8 months I think it was time to introduce the potty to him.
Long time ago, which feels like a century, I wrote a post how we prepare for potty training. That was actually the time I initially wanted to start. But you know, there are the excuses and then we went away on family trips and so on and so on. Nothing is planned in the next while so no more excuses.
In that post I mentioned that I bought a personalised potty training book which we pretty much read to him every night for the last 3 months. We mixed it up with other books of course so he doesn’t get bored of it.
Since getting his Mickey Mouse potty we decorated it with stickers from the movie cars to make it special to him and his very own last weekend.
I have also started using the Pirate Pete sticker book which has a reward chart on the last page with star stickers in it.
We’ve been using the Thomas the Tank engine briefs from Mothercare and Minions briefs from Asda. Both are a great fit at 3-4 years. I’ve bought more in Dunnes Stores in that size but find them extremely small so I’m gonna have to go back to Mothercare and buy more of the comfortable ones. I also need more trousers from Penneys for accidents.
Without any further essays, here is how we got on the first 4 days…
Day 1, Saturday 16th April
First thing in the morning we explained that we are doing potty training today and that nappies are going to be gone for the day and we’ll put on our big boy pants. He wore tracksuit bottoms over it, too. Soon enough we had to take them off as it was too much comfort for him to pee in them. He isn’t a fan of running around half naked but he got around to it eventually and was running around in pants. We had multiple accidents, just the way potty training goes. Even with pants on I lifted him over to the potty so he could see where it goes.
A lot of praising was done and he got a small handful of chocolate buttons each time.
Day 2, Sunday 17th April
It was pretty much like day 1. A lot of crying but we had to get through it.
Day 3, Monday 18th April
First wee happened around 2.30pm. No doubt he must have held it as long as he could. Again I lifted him over to the potty and we were able to get some in. Lots of praise, we emptied the potty down the toilet and washed our hands. He seems to finally like the idea and praise he’s getting.
7pm he took himself to the potty and made a wee. YAY!! With pants on but every little step counts. He was delighted with himself.
Day 4, Tuesday 19th April
First day back to creche since the weekend. He was able to show me in the morning that he can take himself to the potty even if he didn’t have to go right that minute. Off we went with potty in tow. I was told by creche that he was able to sit on the potty in the morning no problem but the wee wee and poo was made in his pants this time unfortunately.
Anyways, it can happen. Tomorrow is day 4 and another day of trying with trial and error.
Are you potty training at the moment? Any tips or tricks?
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We have a bit more lift off in the last few days. He goes to the potty all the time now. Poos are not a runner yet and I need to help pulling down his trousers but we are getting there.
Everyone is different, every child different and my two couldn’t have been more different from each other and potty training. I say stick with it my daughter had an accident every day numerous times for two weeks than all the sudden day 11 she never had an accident since and dry at night and my four year old isn’t even dry at night. So it’s all relative to consistency and the child. Sounds like you are off to a good start. Thanks for linking up to Share With Me. #sharewithme
I almost think there’s no need to make potty training into a big thing — when a child is ready, it’s almost like a lightbulb goes off and they just get it! My twins turned 3 last month — one of them began using the potty in December and cracked it with (almost) no help from me at all. He’s wearing pants and is dry all day now.
His twin is just not interested at all. When he shows signs of wanting to come out of nappies, I’ll be right behind him, but until then I’m not going to force the issue. Amazing how different kids are isn’t it? I don’t think there’s a ‘right’ age to start potty training — it’s down to the individual child. Good luck lovely! Sounds like Matthew has made a great start! 🙂
Ahh good luch with this. The first week is the hardest, but I’m sure by next week he’ll have got it! We skipped the potty and went straight to the trainer seat on the loo – couldn’t bear the thought of washing out a potty hehe! xx
Potty training is a challenging time for sure. Every child and every family is different. What works for one doesn’t work for another. Our three year old still has accidents. It’s OK, like you said…just part of the process. Best of luck!
Oh bless you! It will come don’t worry! The first week is always the most stresful x
My least favourite part of motherhood so far aha! We sort of skipped the potty and went straight to toilet seats because he HATED sitting on the potty, he’d do anything not to sit on it. I always knew i wanted him to be trained before he started pre-school (which was last month now) so i put my foot down and said no more nappies! There were tears (on both parts), screaming, accidents, but it gets better each day you just have to keep it up! If i did it again i’d definitely do a sticker chart. Good luck!
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Thanks a mill. 🙂 I am planning to have him trained by the time we go on holidays which is August. x
It’s a difficult time isn’t it. I got the personalised potty book which my daughter loved. I also used a reward chart and also took her to choose her own knickers which she loved x
Hey hun, just saw you commented on my post so thought I’d come back here and reply. I’m sure he’ll get there quickly. It isn’t always easy street and although Noah took to it quite easily compared to some it doesn’t mean we’ve not had an accident here or there. I found sticking to it and just going nappy free worked for us. They can sometimes surprise us.
Potty training is the worst stage for me, I really hated it. I hate how everyone has an opinion on what age your child should be when you start it too. Like they know your child better than you! So annoying! Good luck with it x
I’m waiting for Blake to start showing the signs which is a while off yet as he only 16 months before I start potty training. I must admit I’m not looking forward to it though.
It is very interesting how it goes so far. I don’t have any tips yet. We want to try it when Oliver will turn 2. Maybe we will be lucky because it’s during the summer.
It’s interesting to hear at what different ages people start with potty training! My son is two and a half and lots of people say that’s late and then others say it’s too early! I think I will just try a few days and see how it goes! Thank you for sharing your experience! #sharewithme