How do you get your almost three year old to pee on the potty?

Question

I have been potty training my daughter for almost 9 months! She was doing okay in the beginning and then just decided one day she didn't want to pee on the potty anymore. She will p**p no problem but unless I carry her to the bathroom and make her sit when I know she has to go she'll just pee in her underwear and then walk around till I notice she's wet. She'll pee on the floor, couch, whereever but when you ask her if she has to go she'll say nope and then 2 minutes later you'll have a puddle on the sofa. What do I do? I used to do sticker chart and she got bored of that. I take her to the potty when I or her sister goes and I don't let her wear pull ups during the day (she uses them like diapers) I am out of ideas. She doesn't seem to care about having pee on her or on the furniture. Help!

Answer 1

I know this sounds mean but make her clean it up.  I had my daughter help clean up her puddles twice and after that she didn't pee at all on the floor anymore.  She didn't like cleaning it up.

Answer 2

It might be a control issue.

If you think that's the case, give it up for a while. Don't go back to pull-ups, just stop fighting her over it. If she pees on the couch, she pees on the couch. Keep a blanket on it, and ask her to help you clean up the mess -- but don't get angry. After a while, it'll get boring, and she might just get back on track.

Believe it or not, this works with my stubborn little one.

It could also be that she doesn't really know when she has to go. If that's the case, you need to both give it up and give the pull-ups back. No sense forcing something if she isn't actually able to do it.

Answer 3

I think having her help you clean it up is a great idea!  But honestly, dont stress about it...even though you are about to give birth to your third (congrats!).  

She may be reverting back to babyhood, which is common - typical even.  Young children go through a period where they want to be a big kid, yet also want to be a baby.  Since you are pregnant you may notice this even more while she is concerned about what her new place will be in the family.  Allow her this freedom, but also give her limits - like peeing on the couch is not ok.  Also, be sure to praise big girl behavior and encourage independence with her - like allowing her to make lunch with you, or make her own decisions sometimes like what clothes she will wear.  You will also learn to really appreciate this as the baby comes along!  

Dont use candy or treats as rewards!  Try buying a package of special undies- maybe she could pick some herself, explain that they are specially for big girls and you will save them for when she isnt peeing in her undies anymore.  If you keep them in her sight, in her drawer where she can see them, it will be a constant reminder of the reward and an incentive to use the potty.  

I think this, combined with having her help with cleaning up her accidents will motivate her, but also help her to acknowledge that behaving like a baby in this way is not ok anymore.

I would suspect that most of this is coming for the anxiety of the new baby.  It is a transition for everyone.  Try to be compassionate and explain to her that she will always be your baby, but now she also also "gets to be" a big sister!  When the baby comes, allow her to help pick out the babies outfits sometimes, or sing a special song to the baby when he/she is fussy.  This will help her identify with the big sister role.  

Hope this helps!

Answer 4

there are 2 things that you can do. one is that you can make her help you to clean her underwear by hand. after a while she will think that that isnt fun and not want to do that anymore. the second thing is is that you can offer her candy.