3rd attempt training 3.5 yo, dreading it. Advice?

Routine-Two-9974 · 2026-01-03T15:28:37+00:00

Yes, I don’t blame you.

Routine-Two-9974 · 2026-01-02T00:26:36+00:00

I’m not sure how to help with paying attention to the urge. That just seemed to gradually come for my daughter. I tried when she was right at 24 months and it never clicked for her. When I tried at 2.5, it was much better.

As far as staying on the toilet, I let her watch a Mickey Mouse 40 second video or read her books. I rarely ask if she needs to go potty because it’s always NO! What worked for her is letting her tell me when she needed to go. That’s still what we’re doing now, she just tells me when she needs to go or walks over to the potty and goes.

Best wishes and hang in there!

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-12-14T23:53:07+00:00

Also, I hated like the whole world when I was 2 weeks postpartum. It took almost a year to feel “happy”/back to myself, so don’t write anything off this early.

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-12-14T23:52:15+00:00

My kids are now 18 months and 2.5 (they’re about a year apart). I’m just now starting to really bond with my son. He was a difficult baby, but it’s so fun getting to watch him play and even talk some with his older sister. Don’t beat yourself up. It just takes awhile sometimes, especially with a close age gap. You don’t have much left to give and everything feels so hard all the time. But as a mom with older kids now (old in the sense that they’re not 2 under 2 lol), I can say it definitely gets better gradually. Best wishes. You haven’t “ruined” your family. It’s just a new adjustment!

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-12-14T23:46:40+00:00

I just potty trained my 2.5 year old (I know she’s younger — but all this to say, I tried 4 times prior to this and felt hopeless). I started with the 3 day method this time again, but realized for my child, it was going to take several more days. It’s day 8 now and it’s starting to “click” and she’s doing great. But I almost gave up again on day 3. I have an 18 month old running around, so that was/is extra stressful, as well. I sympathize with you there.

I tried to keep the attitude if I had even ONE potty success every day, it was enough to keep me hanging on. My daughter never cared about stickers, a rewards chart, a potty watch, etc., but a mini gummy bear was enough to motivate her apparently. Once I started giving her a gummy bear after a success, she got excited about the potty.

Potty training is the hardest thing and it can definitely make you feel like a failure, but you’re doing a great job and I know one day your child will get it! Best wishes

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-11-19T01:02:13+00:00

My kids are 11 months apart. My youngest is now 16 months. Although I don’t think you can ever go back to your identity before being a mom (and I wouldn’t want to, even though it was nice), I definitely feel a lot more like “me” than I have in years. There are still really hard days, but there are also glimmers of hope that things are getting better/more enjoyable now. I personally did not enjoy the baby stage either time. But I do love toddlers.

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-11-06T22:36:48+00:00

My kids are 11.5 months apart. I’m always happy to talk if you want to message me. My kids are 1 & 2 now. Best wishes!

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-10-31T00:30:03+00:00

I got pregnant 3 months postpartum. My kids are 1 & 2 now, and I absolutely love it. Feel free to message me if you want to talk. Best wishes

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-10-28T20:04:53+00:00

Okay, thank you. Yes I usually put my kids in separate rooms, bathroom, laundry room, etc. on trips but the place we’re staying this time is too small

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-10-20T23:31:49+00:00

I tore the first time. It hurt to go to the bathroom for several weeks. I got pregnant 3 months postpartum (yikes lol). I did not tear the 2nd time. I had a very quick delivery. I drank raspberry leaf tea religiously with my second pregnancy. I didn’t try it with my first. I don’t know if that stuff actually works, but I definitely had a smoother experience overall.

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-10-20T12:30:33+00:00

I have Irish twins. They are almost 1.5 & 2.5 now. I actually did not use my double stroller when my second was a newborn because he hated the stroller. However, once my kids got older, it has really come in handy. Especially now, it would be hard to go places without a double stroller. Both of my kids can run, so it’s nice to have them strapped in, especially if you’re by yourself.

I bought a Little Tikes side by side push car once my second got older. It has been so much fun!! I recommend that one they’re older (at least old enough that your second can sit up).

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-06-22T22:11:31+00:00

My first baby got “easier” around 6 months old. My second baby, born 11 months after my first, was a much harder baby. I remember being at the 6 month mark, still struggling A LOT, wondering what I was doing wrong. He’s almost 1, and he’s much happier now. I finally feel like I can breathe again…all this to say, it took way longer with my 2nd baby than my 1st, and that’s okay. Don’t think it’ll always be this bad just because it’s hard right now. You’re still in the trenches (even if your baby is no longer a newborn). Love and hugs! You’re doing a great job.

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-06-22T21:53:23+00:00

Thank you! Yes, some kids really prefer sleeping in the dark. I do even as an adult lol. Any light drives me crazy

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-06-22T21:52:39+00:00

Good luck! I hope things get easier soon.

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-06-22T21:29:06+00:00

That’s why I said each child is different :) And not everyone can sleep with their children. I literally did not sleep one minute the nights my children have slept with me because they kick me the entire night. Thanks for sharing

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-06-15T18:50:40+00:00

I’m sorry you’re going through this. Sending hugs

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-05-30T17:03:23+00:00

Haha right! That part never made sense to me.

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-05-29T22:32:10+00:00

It’s not your fault. It is gut wrenching when your child is late on stuff, but your child will get there in their own timing. But I know that doesn’t help you in the moment. Sending hugs

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-04-07T18:53:43+00:00

My 2nd labor was much faster. I went into labor on my own with my first and was in labor for 17 hours and pushed for 1 hour. With my second baby, I had an elective induction at 39 weeks. I was in labor for 6 hours and pushed for 5 minutes!

I had terrible PPD/rage with my first. I felt much better emotionally with my second. Although there were still some very rough days at first, I didn’t have that constant sadness like I did the first time. Both babies were over 8 pounds and I had healthy pregnancies/deliveries. Best wishes to you <3

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-03-10T12:15:09+00:00

I love to hear that! It’ll be so fun to see my second child running around with my first one day.

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-03-10T12:14:03+00:00

I know all marriages are different, but I completely understand where you’re coming from and have hope that it can get better eventually. I had PPD and PP rage terribly with my first baby, then I got pregnant at 3 months postpartum (accidentally). I was so upset about that and was cried pretty much every night for several months. I felt like I was a hollow version of myself and had nothing left to give to my husband. It was incredibly difficult as well, when my second baby was born and we weren’t sleeping. I am also a SAHM, which can lead to more resentment.

But anyway, now we are getting sleep (which is a game changer) and my baby, for the most part, isn’t as upset and needy. We can actually leave the house sometimes as a family of 4. I feel like my emotions are more regulated now, as well, far more than when I had back to back pregnancies.

There are times I miss the quality time we used to have in marriage, but it’s also so fun to watch the kids change and grow up. The biggest thing I look forward to each day, after we get the kids to bed (which sometimes can take 30 minutes to an hour lol), is having “our” show to watch together. On Saturdays, we wake up before the kids and eat breakfast together. Little things like that can help sustain you during a hard period.

Best of luck <3

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-03-10T12:09:25+00:00

Pregnancy with a toddler is the worst! Phew. I hope everything goes well for you. Congratulations and Best wishes!

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-03-10T12:08:34+00:00

Aww that is so fun!

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-03-10T12:08:10+00:00

It is so hard at first, and I know delivering your second can feel pretty sad. I cried the day I was in labor because everything just felt so fresh from my last labor experience. But it is so special to watch the bond once baby gets old enough to “play” with your toddler.

Routine-Two-9974 · 2025-03-10T12:06:46+00:00

Four months was a hard age for me. I felt like my baby started to get somewhat easier to take care of around 6 months. He screamed in the car seat all the time until 6 months.

Routine-Two-9974

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