Transitioning from going because they were told to, to because they need to...

[chody47]

We started toilet training on Saturday. DD1 has done exceptionally well. Day 1 she had 3 accidents (2 wee and 1 poo) and did everything else in the potty (including a poo which she asked to go for). Day 2 there were no accidents. Day 3 (today) we had 2 wee and 1 poo accident. Every time she has an accident she runs towards her potty and says "I need to go to the potty".

I ask DD periodically if she needs to go. She almost always says "no". Every 1-1.5 hours I ask her to have a 'try' and she will produce something. How do you transition from telling them to go to them taking themselves? Is it a natural thing, or did you find yourself asking for weeks/months? I don't mind asking, I'm just curious as this is all new to me.

[Babyluv]

Good question. I'm looking fed to reading the responses. My DD is a bit of both right now. She is very busy and puts off going. If I ask her to go she will almost always do a wee and every now and then, maybe once a day she will say with urgency that she needs to go.

[HotI]

maybe try to get her thinking about how her body feels when there is wee coming. if she has a drink, talkabout the water going in to her tummy and how it can feel squishy, then it becomes wee and can make you wiggle .... how it feels after she has done a big wee or poo...

I didn't do timed toilet stops, but if we were going in the car, I told DD that it would be a big drive and did she want to try to wee before we left.

I also talked about how I knew I had to wee, and then asked if she wanted to go first or second (especially if we were going out or I thought she was holding on).

[Babyluv]

Chody,
I've got a video my friend sent me which might help.
PM me your email and ill send it to you. It's actually really funny.

[peanutter]

Babyluv - what key words can I google to find the video? Thanks

[Tinks]

Every time she has an accident she runs towards her potty and says "I need to go to the potty".

If she's doing this, she's on her way there. Soon she will realise that she can hold on to her wee until she gets to the potty. Hang in there, it's a trying time for all involved but it won't take long for her to understand what she's supposed to do.

[Babyluv]

Ill send you the link Peanutter.
I couldn't find it when I googled. It's been developed for special needs kids but seems to have helped my little girl in the last couple of days.

[peanutter]

Thanks!!

[chody47]

Thanks for the clip.

And an update - I'm still telling her to go, but she's only had 2 accidents the past 3 days. She's even had day sleeps in knickers and woke from an overnight sleep with a dry nappy!!!!