[ASheppa0821]

Ok, Emma has gone on the potty here and there since she was 18 months old, but not very much. I have officially started hardcore potty training! There were a few things on my mind, and I wanted to get your opinions and experiences. I have been sitting with her throughout the day in the bathroom, and twice now, she has sat and sat, then gotten up and peed on the floor! Oy vey...

1. The other day, I sat with her for TWO HOURS in the bathroom waiting for her to go. She wandered bottomless around the bathroom, then would sit down on her potty, then get up some more. Finally, I just put a pull-up back on her, and not a minute later, she peed. I was so frustrated, especially after such a long ordeal. Anyway, how long did you sit and wait before saying "Ok, we'll try again later"?

2. How did you explain the process to your kids? I keep trying to show her with one of those "Wee-wee Dolls", but she just wants to put the doll in the toilet.... She can say "potty" and grabs herself, but she always does it too late, or while she's peeing. I guess I'm having trouble with wording and explaining it to a two-year-old. She has an amazing level of understanding, but I just want to make sure I'm doing this right. I have also purchased a few of the potty books and she has watched "Elmo's Potty Time" until we're both blue in the face!

3. What was your reward system? I have told her she gets a sticker for coming to tell me, and two M&M's if she actually goes on the potty (which, I'm not too thrilled about, but since I limit her on sweets, I thought I'd try), but she just wants to pick the sticker off and tear it up. It's not really working the way I had hoped, and she just gets frustrated when she sees the M&M's, but can't have them.

4. When did you come to realize they was ready? Emma just seems to be so much more aware of her bodily functions lately and definitely knows how to alert me that she's gone. I'm of the opinion "If you're big enough to tell me you went potty, you're big enough to learn how to go on the toilet."

Thanks for the words of advice, ladies!