Last week I opened up 3 Girls and a Pug to my readers to seek the advice of fellow readers. Here are two challenging problems many mothers have faced during the toddler stage. Please offer any suggestions you’ve found helpful to get over these hurdles.
From Nancy:
Our biggest challenge for the past year at least (probably longer) is potting training. My daughter just turned four at the end of May, yet she still has accidents. She cries because she doesn’t want to wipe herself. It’s a definite battle of wills. We’ve bribed, threatened and reward and everything in between. The worst is the hope I feel when she goes for 3-4 days without any accidents, then it happens again. It is definitely by patience trial.
From Kim:
Our biggest challenge has been pacifier separation. We are on a successful week #2 without it but my oh my what it took to get to this point. I started out by slowing cutting it down but then it got lost and then I lost my patience. So we have had several nights of yelling for an hour but are making significant progress! Yeah for us!
Question: Need a suggestion for handling a sticky situation in your house? Tell us about it.
Nancy-something that worked for us in the potty training department was when my son would have an accident I always stood him in the shower to clean him off-well I’d had enough one day and turned the water to the COLD position. He hasn’t had any accidents since. Good luck.
Kim-You are doing a great job. Keep it up!!
I successfully potty-trained three girls, but they all were difficult, each in their own way. All of the books treat potty-training like it’s an overnight success and I found that it’s like everything else you introduce a child to — it takes time and patience. Two things I always seem to be short on. It takes them a while to use a cup without spilling and to dress themselves and put their shoes on the right feet. My doctor once told me that all kids figure it out before they get to kindergarten. I believe him — even when I didn’t think I could — and he was right. Hope that helps.
My kids never took the pacifier, but I’ve heard the horror stories of those who’ve had to get rid of it. Honestly right now, it sounds easier than getting rid of the thumb. (Too bad it’s attached.)
I’ve heard of kids wrapping up all of their pacifiers and sending them to the “Paci Fairy.” Then the next day in the mail the Paci Fairy sends them something really cool that’s only for big kids in the mail.
Or I’ve heard of people snipping off all of the tops of the pacifiers so they’re broken. I’ve heard it works, but I think my kids wouldn’t buy it. I guess it’s worth a try. Good luck. Let me know if any ideas work.