Using the Toilet

[michellesamom]

H and I are trying to decide about training diapers etc...
http://michellesamom.blogspot.com/2008/09/using-toilet.html
Any suggestions or comments are welcome!!! 

[emsplace]

I am unsure how old Peanut is, but I started encouraging my son to go potty in the toilet at 18 months. He was interested so we did. He started wearing pullups during the day then as well. But.... he was not fully potty trained till 3 years. He had to be in order to be in the Preschool we wanted him in. 
I don't know if I would call it training. I just called it encouragement.
We bought a potty that played music when he pottied in it. For some reason POOP was something he wanted to do in the big potty. So we bought a little comfy ring (mostly so he wouldn't fall in) and he was ok with that. There were messes. There were days of non-interest. But we had a goal and made it.  We had books about the potty. We had m&m's for a bribe (let me just call it that, it's exactly what it was... lol)...

Every child is different. My parents used ruffly panties for me. I was trained by 18 months. I wanted to wear big girl panties... and was apparently determined. I'm sure the fact that my sister was ten months younger than me and my brother 18 months older was a HUGE incentive for my mom.

I appreciate your not wanting to force her, but encouraging her and giving her incentives... I see nothing wrong with that. Especially if she is over 2 years. In my opinion... it's time after that.
Good luck!

[michellesamom]

Thanks em!
Yeah, she's been the same way. She showed interest at 18 months so we bought all the gear, but it has come and gone over the last six months. She just turned 2 last week. We do encourage her and she LOVES it when she pees in the toilet (you should see the pride on her face). The thing is that I just don't think she's reached the maturity where she knows BEFORE she has to go. That aspect of it is hit or miss... sometimes she's right and she goes on the toilet, and sometimes she just sits there and just wants to wipe with the toilet paper and flush the toilet.

[emsplace]

Of course, my first thought is... sometimes I feel like I have to go more than I do.... and sometimes I can hold it. So I am unsure that wil change. lol
hahaha sorry... it's been a long day.
em