Friday, November 4, 2011

Potty Training

It's become my arch-nemesis.
It's embarrassing at this point. Caleb is now four-years-old. This should have been mastered one, even two years ago. Half his entire life!
And I'm at my wit's end. I have tried it all. Everything. If there is some new strategy, new bribe, new method, I will be absolutely shocked.
The hardest part is that he gets it. He really does. He just doesn't care enough to make the effort.

So, I beg you, if you have any brilliant ideas, share them? For the sake of my sanity (not to mention my carpets)?

6 comments:

Courtney said...

That's hard, when they KNOW HOW but just don't feel like doing it. Have you tried making him clean it up himself? Or, and this is an irritating piece of advice, backing off and not talking about it for a month or two? Sometimes when it takes a long time it becomes a power struggle and needs to become "their" idea. Sorry, that's the best I've got.

Jennifer said...

Hey Lianne! I have loved all of your posts this week! About the potty training, have you tried just ignoring it? In other words, he doesn't get lots of attention, talking to, when he has an accident (an "on purpose" is probably more like it!). You just very matter of factly send him to another room (maybe the laundry room) where you have a laundry basket for his wet clothes, wipes to clean himself and a change of dry clothes - then he has to do it ALL HIMSELF...no helping from you. You will obviously have to clean up the mess on the floor...unless it's wood and he can help? I didn't try this with my kids, but a friend was telling me the other day that this is what her Dr recommended. I think the idea is to stop drawing so much attention to it...give him some responsibility (cleaning himself up) and give mild praise when he has success. Do adults get treats when they go to the bathroom? :) It's worth a try!

Lianne said...

Courtney and Jennifer, it's always worth a shot! We'll see how it goes this week...

Stacy Lynn said...

I know that Kimber Reach (van Santen) had some potty training advice on her blog at one point: http://kimbersnavyfamily.blogspot.com/.

Good luck! My cat came litter trained, and I have no kids, so I have no advice on the subject. :-/

Megan said...

if it makes you feel better i didn't use the potty til about five for the same reason. if school didn't start and the whole social aspect didn't kick it, i probably would have waited even longer. but thankfully, i can use the big girl's potty now. it will happen eventually:)

Lianne said...

Thanks, Megan. It does help. :)

 

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