Question to all parents, I'm curious ( Archived) (35)

I decided that I was going to start potty training my daughter this weeK, and though I know it takes different lengths of time, depending on the child, I was just curious (a ball park figure) what has been your experiences, as to the length of time it took to potty train your kids... and any helpful advice would be appreciated....

She was born 2 months early, and She will be 21 months old in about a week, I waited this long thinking that if I tried at to young of an age, that it might only confuse her...


But for the last 2 months she always runs and gets a diaper after she goes to the bathroom, and I let her take the diaper off(only if it is pee) then she will wipe herself and help me put the clean diaper on her...and she does a pretty good job of dressing herself.. SO I figure she has enough understanding about it, to go ahead and start with the potty training... Today was the first day, and well.... she would go to the bathroom then take her clothes off and then sit on the pot, but like I said it is after she has already gone to the bathroom

I was figuring I could get her potty trained within about a week...but I don't want to expect it from her.. Is a week a long enough time or should it only take 3 or 4 days?????? Or does it usually take longer????


Your thoughts

It takes longer, usually. Get her pull-ups instead of a diaper. Those worked well with my sons. And Tater, I hope that you're teaching her to wipe properly for a girl...we have to wipe front to back. (I don't know if you knew that or not.)

Have patience, don't have expectations, and best of luck.

Well what I used to do was shortly after my kids had a drink I would say ok it is time to go to the bathroom....also before going out in the car before bed that sort of thing...I also put a calender (a larger squared one) or one that was daily (with hours) and i would say if you go one of the sticker(that i let picked out like my daughter really like Dora so i got Dora stickers) goes on the wall poster. My girl it took close to 3 before she really got the hang of it maybe still a few accidents in the 3rd year. But dont push her. She will be interested in the toilet and it could be a hinderance if it is pushed too hard.....

if she starts shying away then mention it less?

I hate to admit this but no she hasn't been wiping front to back, I forgot to show her that, I just seen how she would reach down and wipe herself, and was like cool.....Thanks.. that is definitely something I will make her change, I can't beleive it didn't cross my mind... I've always known that so I don't know why, I didn't think of it... See this was a good idea to ask... Thanks hun

If you are consistant....you will get her through it. I had 2 girls and 2 boys. The old saying goes....girls are easier...I found that to be true!
My daughter has a boy and and girl.......and yep again, the girl was easier.....you just have to be consistant.... Its hard but worth it!

You're welcome, Tater. You certainly don't want her getting a serious infection at this point.

I have heard it takes longer with girls than boys. No nozzle to hold on to, I guess, so not as much fun to pee pee.
Although I have heard now big boys still love to play with their nozzles and want us girls to join in and play firemen with them..........

That is what I'm trying to do also... guess about when she will be going, like after she eats and stuff, and I will try to my her feel excited when she does it right, and I'm always giving her encouragement, I thought about "rewards" but when I was thinking about it... I was thinking like giving her a popsicle or cookie, then I thought... well that might make her have to go again...... never thought about stickers thanks.and I didn't think of doing a routine like before bed etc, good advice, thanks..