For potty training that is. Today Matthew was in the bath tub and would not get out. So I let the water out and just sat there and waited until he got cold. He was holding himself and I asked "Do you have to go peepee". He nodded yes. I said "Would you like to go peepee in the toilet?" He nodded yes and got out of the tub. I sat him on the toilet and he kind of grunted but did not pee. I took him off and got him dressed.

During the day I always annouce that Mommy has to go peepee and he follows me to the bathroom, he usually lifts the lid for me. I have been holding off getting a potty or even trying to train him as I'm just too busy with two. I thougt of just having a potty around so he could get used to it, but he's been a bit unruly this last little while and I didn't want it to be something that he throws around and plays with.

But now he seems to be showing some interest so I don't want to miss that window. Matthew's 2 now and I know boys are ususally a bit later but I guess we should get going on this process.

Any advice?

By Vicki on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 07:47 am:

I think anytime kids show interest in something it is worth going for. If your going to get a potty chair, I would get one now and at least start to introduce it. I would not force the issue at all. When you go in the bathroom to go, have him sit on his potty and try to go. With him grunting and nothing coming out, it doesn't sound to me like he has the "feeling" down yet, but he will. Don't force or push the issue at all, but he is showing at least the general knowledge of going on the potty, so I don't think it can hurt at all.

By Tripletmom on Monday, March 27, 2006 - 09:20 am:

Ditto Vicki

By Kaye on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 08:20 am:

My ped said, if you want to potty train a boy, you start at a little after age two, but well before 2 1/2. If you want to wait for them to take the lead, expect them to be closer to 4.

That being said, I like potty trained kids I don't make a big ugly deal out of it, but we are pretty effiecient. If you get the chance check out the book, potty training in a day. This is the techique I mostly used (dr phil totes the same methods). The key to success is praise praise praise, and lots of chances! So if you decide to potty train, set a date, talk it up, and on that day go for it, give him LOTS to drink and give him the chance to be successful. None of my kids really potty trained in a day (a friend said she was able to with 4 of her 6). But I will say that mine were trained in a a few days. With my middle son, we tried for about 3 days and it was obvious he just wasn't quite ready. We went back to diapers and tried again a month later and it was quick.

By Tink on Tuesday, March 28, 2006 - 04:23 pm:

Our experience with potty training was pretty similar to Kaye's. We just concentrated on it for several days, pushed fluids and kept that potty closeby. We set a timer for trying every 20 minutes, a sticker for trying and picking a treat from the treasure box for success of any kind. My ds was older but we started at 3 1/2, due to his disability.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, March 29, 2006 - 02:44 pm:

I'm poking in here and getting good suggestions from all of you.

I agree that if he's interested go with it. Natalie has been going potty with me for months now and *she* just started sitting on the potty herself, asking to go, "practicing" really.

The ladies have given good suggestions. I was wondering what kind of time frame to use for going potty (every 20min.) I'm not sure if Natalie is physically ready yet...not too many dry diapers after 1 hr. but some. That's why we're not pushing it yet, but I'll definitely check out the book that Kaye suggested and use some of Tink's suggestions when we do really try.

I have a friend whose little boy (turned 2 on Monday) has about 2 DRY NIGHTS each week now, and always dry naps. Can you BELIEVE that???? I can't imagine the day when Natalie will be dry at a nap or bedtime!!!!