I believe my 3 year old is regressing in her potty training. She wets the bed on occassion and will just stand in the middle of the room and go. I don't know if it is out of defiance or she just waits to long to go to the bathroom. I talked to the doctor and they told me just to wait and see if she grows out of it. Does anyone have any advice I can use to get her straightened out. I am getting ready to start potty training my two year old and don't know how that will affect her.

-- Melinda (specialady104@hotmail.com), March 21, 2002

Answers

sounds to me like you answered you own question, Your child is acting out because of jealousy. I suggest you try to spend special time with her everyday, and tell her you need her help to potty train her sibling. If she feels like a part of the process, she will definitly come around. We used this tactic alot with my oldest. Now she is a mother hen to our youngest. Hope this helps.... happy training.... Kristean

PS... example to letting her be part of the process.... get two potty chairs ( or if you child is tall enough to use the regular toilet, just get one.) Every 1/2 hour take them both to the toilet , one child on one and the other on the other( potty chair), Tell your oldest beforehand that you need her to show the youngest how to use the potty. I always took a book to the bathroom with us, and read a story while they were using the potty. This takes their attention off the "act" and makes it a little easier. I also used sticker reinforcement. For each time she was successful , she got a sticker on her shirt. At dinner she could show daddy how many times she had made it that day. Never point out the misses during this praise time. Only the good.

-- Kristean Thompson (pigalena_babe@yahoo.com), March 21, 2002.

My guess would be its a need for attention; occasionally tend to her needs first when the situtation allows. Treat her to quality time while someone else keeps the baby. A trip to get an ice cream cone with only you is a powerful bribe that can promote better behaviour. I know nothing about raising children but I do understand human behaviour.

-- mitch hearn (moopups@citlink.net), March 21, 2002.

3 year olds are not terribly reliable with potty training under the best of circumstances, some just do a little better than others. The AVERAGE american toddler potty trains during the day at 2 1/2 and at 3 1/2 at night, and MOST can manage being potty trained during the day at 3 1/2 and at night at 4 1/2. That is according to my nursing instructor about 10 years back. Sounds like your little girl is actually doing pretty well, even if she is slipping a little. I understand your concern about her losing a hard-won skill, by all means, I would step up the rewards if you think it will help.

My own 2 were close together, my oldest was very proud of being able to do something better than her little brother. That gave me another positive reinforcement. I would just do a little review work with her and stress what a clever girl she is. It sounds like she is doing well.

-- Terri (hooperterri@prodigy.net), March 21, 2002.