Potty Training

With my daughter I started trying to potty train her during her twos. I tried everything I read about or that other mother's recommended. I tried a reward system (stickers on a calendar, so many stickers in a row equals a new toy or an extra visit to the park or whatever). I tried reading books to her about using the potty. I tried letting her run around without a diaper at home, but quickly got sick of doing laundry every day - underwear, pants, sheets, blankets, etc. Everyone told me (except my own mother) that you can't rush them or force them to use the potty. In the end, they were right. At her own time, without me prodding, she walked in and used the potty on her own. It took a lot longer to conquer night time potty use, but in time with love and patience from Mom, and a nightlight in every room on the path to the bathroom, she over came that too. I was anxious to get rid of the extra cost of diapers and night time pants, and was worried about the "satus quo," which may have showed in my push to get her potty trained and made her not want to. Honestly, I'm not really sure what happened in the end to get her to finally use the potty - just that it seemed when I finally backed off and let her work on it at her own pace is when she finally took to using the potty. I did also notice, she seemed to prefer using the "big people potty" with a step stool and one of the kiddie seats that fits on top rather than one of the special kiddie potties. Just keep trying different things (different placement of the potty chair, or using a kiddie seat instead, etc.) and be patient. I know it gets frustrating, but the kids never do anything else according to our schedule, why should they do it for potty training ;o) Good luck!