So how did they potty-train in "the good old days"?

Question

my son just turned 2 last month and my gramma felt it was her obligation to let me know that, "back when I had kids, it was pretty much considered negligent parenting if your child wasn't potty-trained by the time they were two. People are just too easy on kids today, you need to just tell him its time to grow up now".

Now, I just don't see how that works, I understand that the norm age for potty-training seems to be getting older over the years, but how did they use to do it? Even if I was being "strict", I could sit my son on the potty all day and tell him "GOO!!!" and nothing happens. You can lead a toddler to the potty, but you can't make him p**p.

So how the heck did they use to potty-train kids so that they were all trained by 2?

Answer 1

For one thing, they didn't have the super-absorbent disposable diapers that we have now.  Cloth diapers let kids feel when they are wet so they learn to understand the cause & effect of going potty.  That's why the "put'em in big kid underpants" method works so well.

For another, they didn't let the kids dictate how the house was run.  That was the parents' job.  We let our kids walk all over us, myself included.  My daughter potty trained better when she started at daycare because they were more firm with her than I was at home.

Just my thoughts!  Interesting question for sure!!

Answer 2

One important thing to remember was that back in their day kids wore cloth diapers too.  That made things very different as it's uncomfortable for a kid to sit in a wet or soiled cloth diaper and that helped a lot in motivating little ones to use the potty.  Also, moms were home with their kids, they could enforce consistency (not like us working moms)  and put a lot of pressure on themselves to get the training done because washing the darn things gets old fast.

These days, we know more about psychology, child development and have the luxury of disposables, but they are also a curse too, because the diaper companies make millions on your kid not caring if he or she is wet well into their third year, and thus our kids can get potty trained much later than they (possibly) should.

3 years old is a more reasonable goal under these circumstances but many many kids do get trained earlier.  Any time while they are 2 is considered very acceptable.  3 or older- kids can do so many things by that age, speak well, dress themselves, play pretend. etc there really isn't any reason why they should not be able to use the potty.  But BY age 2?  Not realistic.

Answer 3

Another thing is that our memory smooths out the bumps and makes our old experiences easier than they actually were.  It helped my sons to potty train standing up so they could see what was happening and connect the sensations.  I used a very safe and very sturdy stool with sides for the toilet so they could hold on standing or sitting.  http://www.amazon.com/Elite-Child-Corpor...

This stool was a lifesaver.  They were instantly interesting in using a real toilet and they potty trained quickly.  This stool made all the difference for them and was well worth it.  Hope this helps.

Answer 4

They didn't.  Your gramma is pulling your leg and trying to make you feel bad.  Most doctors say not to even try before the age of 2 and don't even try if the child is not ready.  The child HAS to be ready and willing.

Answer 5

Honestly, In my family when we were younger we would get spanked if we went in our pants. There was an age were you go in the potty or else.It's horrible but that's how we potty trained our dog and it worked. I have a nearly 3 yr old boy and I don't spank and he's slowly getting used to the idea of potty training but he's no where near close to being trained.

Answer 6

They'd place the baby on the potty at the same time(s) every day and give him five minutes to try and "do" - if after 24 hours he still hadn't done they'd put in a baby size glycerine suppository, or maybe a soap suppository, which would make him do in a few minutes.

Then they would repeat this ritual until the kid started expelling his excrement of his own accord - and he would, in short order!

(P.S: I didn't use this method with my little'un, but given the constipation problems she had last year I wonder if I should have!)

Answer 7

Oh, I got the same thing from my mother when I potty trained my kids.  She told me that I was trained at 6 months.  Yeah, sure.  Kids will potty train when they are ready.  Boys later than girls.  Mine are now teenagers and fully functioning members of society despite being potty trained by age 3, using a pacifier and using a bottle past when my mother thought it was respectable.  I know your grandmother means well, but you are the mom and you know your child best.  You sound like a good mom.  God bless you!!!!

Answer 8

My daughter is not 23 months and she isn't potty trained. Nor is she showing signs of being interested in potting in the pot. I have been trying off and on for about 3-4 months. Just to see if she shows interest. I don't listen to no one else because she is my child and I know her best. When she shows interest I will push it. I will keep trying thou. Not because what people say but 1. pampers are expensive and 2. I am tired of wiping her little behind. lol. Really thou I will take peoples advice but in the end I know my daughter. If your son is ready work with him if not then let him take his time. Tell Gramma that you appreciate her advice  and you are working on it. Good luck my 23 month old gives me a run for my money. Busy Busy Busy!

Answer 9

sat them on the potty in the morning, after meals, before bath and bed... and if anything showed up in the bowl of water below they showed there appreciation so that the kids would keep doing it that way and pretty soon the were trained...