Replies to '10/05 Moms: Cut the Chaos'

Dear Serene, 

I am also a mom with two girls.  I think you should listen to the advice you've been given.  Your daughter just may not be ready.  There really isn't a specific age a child should be in order to be potty trained.  Children develop individually.  (I know, I know... your mom's kids and your grandmothers kids and your mothr-in-law's kids and everyone else's kids were all trained at 18 months, right?...Liars!).  I understand your desire to potty train considering you have two children in diapers.  In my experience forcing my daughters into potty training only seemed to cause power struggles.  What has worked best for me is positive reinforcement.  For example, make a chart (however you like), put it on the fridge in plain sight, and each time your daughter uses the bathroom give her a sticker to add to the chart.  Give her a weekly goal (2 stickers per day to equal 10 at the end of the week) and have a special prize at the end of the week.  I rewarded with inexpensive items (ice cream cone/a toy from the Dollar Store) and then had a grand prize after 4 weeks (just choose something you know she would like).  My oldest daughter was closer to age 3 before she was potty trained and even then she still had an occasional accident.  Choose your battles.