5.02.2012

Potty-Training a Princess

My three four year old has been in the bathroom for 30 minutes trying to "go".  She went in all by herself without prodding (win!).  She knows if she goes #2 in the potty she gets to wear her swimsuit.  Hilarious, I know, but it's what works for her. 

I absolutely despise potty-training.  For me, it is the most terrifying and difficult part of parenting.  I hate it.  And I still have another kiddo to train.  I want my eldest to have a good grasp before I start on the second.  I don't think my nerves can handle two kiddos peeing on the furniture.

My Princess refuses to go.  She gets distracted or is having too much fun and doesn't want to stop and take a potty break.  As a result, we constantly ask her if she has to go and she screams "No!"  We've tried the timer thing , bribes with treats, and have a routine of going before and after bed/nap and outings.  Some days are great, others are AWFUL.  Luckily, we found something that helps, but accident of course.

Princess LOVES wearing swimsuits.  She's obsessed.  She has names for them, according to color or design and called them swimming "soups".  After a few days of tantrums of not being allowed to wear swimsuits 24/7, we had a wonderful idea.  Why not use them as bribes rewards?  If she goes #2 in the potty, then she is allowed to wear the suit of her choice for the remainder of the day.  It has worked beautifully!  Now, not every day is a success, but I think we are 90% at the moment.  And what is even better, is that we don't have to nag as much.  She goes in on her own and tries!  She announces when she has success and is proud of her achievement!  I am proud, too, and much less stressed out about pre-school this fall!

I have no idea what will work for Handsome, hopefully it won't take me two years of potty training before we figure it out.  Anyone else have suggestions?  And if potty training was easy for you, I don't want to hear about it!

2 comments:

Carly said...

Nope, no advice, no nothing...potty training is hell, there's no way around it.

tiffany said...

Love that she finds that her "soup" is as good of a reward as anything. Much better than having to pump her full of candy to reward her. If this love affair with her "soup" works out, you might have a future swimmer on your hands.. college scholarships anyone? :)