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I can not get her potty trained

Wed, Nov 2 2011 05:05pm EDT 1
herdad
herdad
90 Posts
Today was it. I lost it for the last time.
My daughter who will be 4 in Decmember will not use the potty to go poop. Well, she did. About a month ago she was trained. She did everything on the potty every day everytime. She called out that she had to go or just ran and did her thing all on her own. Now, and for the last few weeks she stopped. She still goes pee fine but its #2 that is the problem. She knows better. As soon as I can tell she pooped in her underwear, she says that shes sorry. Or she will come out of her room in different clothes and I will ask why she changed and she will smile and say she is sorry.
I have tried EVERYTHING. Yelling, ignoring, hugs and kisses, spanking, star charts, toys, candy... you name it.
Today is my last straw and I feel horrible about it. She was in her room playing and I checked in and saw her standing and playing then i noticed the lump in her pants and I lost it. I took away her tv and cable, dvd player, blackberry, and Compaq laptop...(yes she is spoiled).
I dont know what to do anymore. Im so mad Im not saying a word and she knows it. I feel like its out of my power cause I cant force her to go. I can only sit back and wait for her to do it on her own I guess.
.....*someone grant me some patients.

Wed, Nov 2 2011 05:32pm EDT 2
mom2identicaltwingirls+1
mom2identicaltwingirls+1
98 Posts
What if, only while around the house, you didn't allow her to wear any underwear or pants. Only clothing on top? Perhaps turn the heat up a tad lol? I trained my girls the "nakie-style," though this was June/July lol. My mom taught me how to potty train, she trained all 4 of us (2 boys 2 girls) within days and before the age of 2! Your daughter would probably mess up a couple times but REALLY detest the sensation of her bowel movement not having anywhere to "land" (sorry, I know that sounds gross). Just a thought because it worked for me....fast! GL!
Wed, Nov 2 2011 06:04pm EDT 3
herdad
herdad
90 Posts
I did try that for a bit. I dont mind cleaning up as long as the reward is worth it. But she'll run into her room and put on pants anyway.
A big problem I have is my lifes schedule. I work nights. She spends the night at a friends house and she has one set of rules there. Then I have her during the day and I have my rules around the house. Then Ive been allowing her mom to come around on the weekend and her mom does what she wants. I feel bad that this little girl is on such a messed up schedule and Im wondering if that has an effect on her. I bet it does.
I, and everyone else knows how hyper she is and that she wont stop doing whatever shes doing to go potty. Even when shes on the potty she will not sit still....EVER!!
Another problem I know is me. I sleep very little and have been on edge lately so my temper is getting short. She will just not listen to anyone but me and I need to raise my voice to get her to do so.... I hate being mean. It really pains me. It does but... Im just lost as what to do. Its hard being a single father on our own.
Wed, Nov 2 2011 06:08pm EDT 4
mi3suns
mi3suns
1534 Posts
Did anything happen/change a couple of weeks ago that could have caused the back tracking? You might want to try increasing the fiber foods (plus extra water/juice) to make sure she isn't constipated in anyway that it would "hurt".
Wed, Nov 2 2011 06:15pm EDT 5
herdad
herdad
90 Posts
her movements are fine. They're solid most of the time. She eats well. When she gets caught, she laughs. She thinks its funny and smiles unles she gets yelled at. Sometimes i just point to the bathroom and she runs in there and changes.
In the last 2 months Ive allowed her mom to come around. I have full custody of daughter and I have to approver if her mom comes around or not. Daughter likes seeing mom so I do it for her. I dont know if thats it or not. Mom tries whatever she can think of also to get her to go.
Wed, Nov 2 2011 06:24pm EDT 6
mom2identicaltwingirls+1
mom2identicaltwingirls+1
98 Posts
Well I don't know what your magical "answer" is but consistency is key. You, mom and the sitter/friend need a battle plan. Whether it's positive reinforcement, negative reinforcement, ignoring, etc. she needs to be responded to the exact same way every single time. It doesn't matter who's potty she's on, the rules must transcend all households and caaretakers. My husband and I co-parent with our sitter. She spends a lot of time with the kids, so she was integral when it came time to potty training. So was my mom as the kids spend a lot of time at her house as well. We literally had a makeshift sit down and determined how to go about things - not like a hard-core contract or anything but you get the idea. I would highly recommend you do the same. Take their input into consideration, they may notice things that you don't. They're your allies. So make a plan to be consistent, then make up the plan together lol if that makes sense. Your child has a lifestyle where she has to be shuffled around a little bit and that's OK, a lot of kids are in that category. They can have consistent lives too it just takes teamwork.

IMO it sounds behavioral, especially the joking bit. So it will likely pass and you'll forget about this blip on the radar in no time. I know it's tough right now. Trust me! And don't feel bad about losing it. We all do, and those who claim otherwise are either liars or live in la-la land and just think everything's always peachy. I prefer the realists Wink
Wed, Nov 2 2011 10:37pm EDT 7
Chris093
Chris093
335 Posts
I agree that everyone needs to be on the same page, whatever page that is. It seems like she might be reacting to something that you don't see as a big deal. That's okay, but until you figure that part out, everyone needs to help her with the potty thing. If you talk to everyone and say you want to do what is best for your daughter then they should all be willing to make and stick to a plan. Perhaps even the negative attention with potty issues is encouraging her. I have trouble understanding why negative attention works, but it does.

Also, you aren't the only one who is impatient with their child. I've found that when I end up feeling totally guilty or I know I've not done what I should or could, I'm honest with my kids. It's good for them to know that adults aren't perfect. I go to my kids and tell them what I'm sorry for and ask that they forgive me. There's nothing like being a good example. Often, it was over an issue that still needs to be resolved, so I might say that I was sorry for the way I handled it (in kid terms) and add that we still need to deal with the issue (again kid terms).
Thu, Nov 3 2011 04:17am EDT 8
herdad
herdad
90 Posts
Thank you for your input. My sitter, who has 3 kids, 2 of which are older than mine is a great help. I do heed her advice. My mom tries hard to stick to what I ask. We have had a game plan and it was working. The only real change in the life style is her mom coming back around and thats only 2 days a week. Like I said, she was doing great and thought she was a big girl and ready to go to school. (her words). Now it seems Im back at square one. I guess she'll get it when shes ready. Yesterday was just a boiling point for me I guess.
It felt good to get that off my chest and at the same time have some input on what others have done.

THANK YOU AGAIN.
Thu, Nov 3 2011 08:50am EDT 9
ERkat
ERkat
140 Posts
I'm a little late on this post, but I wanted to say "hang in there!" Being a single parent is tough, but it sounds like you're doing a great job with your daughter. I was a single parent for a long time and I understand what you're going through. Her recent regression on potty training could just be due to two big changes in the past two months: school and mom being more involved. She may not even know why she's doing it. Like Chris093 said, it could just be a negative reinforcement thing. She may just be a little scared of the recent changes and is seeking more of your attention. I don't have any quick tips for you, but just talk to her, encourage her, and take lots of deep breaths....it'll pass. Good luck to you!
Thu, Nov 3 2011 09:55am EDT 10
rlm_becky
rlm_becky
518 Posts
It might be a control thing also. I am having the same issue w/3 yrold son right now. He is very independent and is trying to work the system as much as he can. He is adamant that he can pee on the potty but no poop unless daddy at home. He switches the game at preschool too. He will pee on potty but will go in pull up too. I think at school he doesnt say anything or go himself bc he doesnt want to stop what he doing to go down hall (no potty in room unfortunately). Just something simple (like visiting mom sometimes) will throw a kid off schedule sometimes and make them regress just bc it is "different" to the reg schedule they usually have going on. I know that in my case my 3 yr old son is an 80 yr old man trapped in a 3 yr olds body for sure! lol Good luck to you!
Thu, Nov 3 2011 10:26am EDT 11
SMJMmom
SMJMmom
550 Posts
Chris093 hit the nail on the head with the "losing it" thing. I absolutely agree with her that a little humility goes a long way with your kids. When I lose it, I always talk to my kids about it when the dust settles. We have all been there, and most times look back and feel bad for the way we reacted. I grew up in a household where there was way too much yelling, guilting, screaming, emotional abuse, etc. I promised myself I would never do that to my kids, but alas, none of us are perfect. Now, I never go to the extent that my parents did, but once in a blue moon when I yell at my kids, I apologize and explain to them why I got so upset. I really make an effort to handle things with respect and talk to my kids in a firm tone, with no yelling when they are in trouble. But I am not perfect and they should no that no one is and learn how to apologize from an example that I set.
Thu, Nov 3 2011 05:15pm EDT 12
herdad
herdad
90 Posts
My daughter is very indepented too. When she goes in the bathroom, God help you if your in there with her. She will yell at you to get out cause she wants her privacy. I usually leave and when I hear the flush I ask if she needs help. She says no but I help wipe anyway.
I know that the other day, right before this all happened, she was in her room watching a movie. I went in and checked on her and she was all coverd up and laying down just relaxing. Then a few minutes later when I checked again she was standing up against the dresser watching the movie. As soon as I saw the lump in her pants and she saw my face she said she was sorry. So she knew what she did. My guess is she just didnt want to stop the dvd. She knows how to work the dvr and dvd players very well. She knows she can pause it and come back later. She just doesnt ever want to stop. I dont know how to slow her down. She lives at 100 mph.
Thu, Nov 3 2011 10:29pm EDT 13
rlm_becky
rlm_becky
518 Posts
So I decided that I need to live at your house! I dont even have cable, heaven forbid! I dont know how to fully work my cell phone besides text and calls, I can pretty much only play mariokart on the wii (and maybe netflix if the 3 and 7 yr old sets me up). Do you have a spare room? I am potty trained (lol), can order pizza w/a passion on discount nights, pump my own gas, and can chaufer you around in my kickass Town and Country (all blinged out w/the scratches my 3 yr old but in it when he was pissed off at me this summer!)! Hope that made you giggle! GL! lol
Fri, Nov 4 2011 01:47am EDT 14
herdad
herdad
90 Posts
hahahaha....*giggle smile.. i do have a spare room with cable. you can use one of the laptops around the house if youd like. my suv is great in the snow and in mint condition. and if you have any problems with anything then my daughter will show you how to work things....hahahaah

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