Hot on HuffPost Parents:
Teen Who Died During Her First Solo Drive May Have Been Texting
Stacy Stafford: All I Had Was a Problem and a Laptop, But I Won the…
Celebrity Potty Training Anecdotes
Filed under: Potty Training
We ran a series of potty training questions past some of ParentDish's celebrity mommy friends, who were generous enough to share their experiences with us. So far, we have heard some of their best advice, as well as some specific tips and strategies. Now we move on to the inevitable silly potty stories!
ParentDish asked...Do you have any funny potty training anecdotes or horror stories you can share?
Chyler Leigh
Once my son (who's now 5), became aware that he had to poop at around 2 years old, he would hide and/or suddenly become very quiet. One day we had put him in his room for his nap and he decided that he no longer wanted to keep his dirty diaper on. Well, since he had been making noise and suddenly got quiet, I figured that he had either fallen asleep very quickly or was up to no good. My husband ran upstairs to check on him and then immediately yelled for me. Assuming the worst, I headed up. And sure enough, my son had taken his dirty diaper (and all that was inside of it) and smeared it all over the wall. Unfortunately for us, we had a short cut shag carpet that the remnants of poo easily burrowed into. That's when we knew that it was time to look into potty training.
*Chyler plays the role of intern Lexie Gray on ABC's "Gray's Anatomy." Photo: Jeffrey Mayer, WireImage.
Melora Hardin
My first daughter potty trained herself by 18 months (because of the cloth diapers -- I'm convinced). Our second daughter didn't get out of nighttime diapers until she was a little over 4, but as soon as she said to me she wanted to not wear a diaper to bed, we started letting her go and there have been many wet beds to deal with, but we have a great waterproof mattress cover (from Pottery Barn Kids) under the sheets. We still take her to the bathroom in the middle of the night when one of us gets up to go. It's pretty funny because she stays asleep when we put her on the potty -- we can plop her right back on the bed after and she never even notices. Now she rarely has an accident. When she does have an accident, we try to make light of it and tell her it's no big deal, but when there are dry sheets we always try to make sure and tell her how proud we are of her.
*Melora recently directed, starred and co-produced a film called "YOU," which was released via the internet on Mother's Day, May 8, 2009. Melora is also well-known for her role as Jan on NBC's "The Office." Photo: David Livingston, Getty Images.
Brooke Burke
I potty trained my first daughter on an island, she was able to go in nature when she felt the sensation, so there were no accidents trying to make it to a restroom.
*Brooke's website, BabooshBaby.com, features maternity and post-pregnancy products. Photo: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images.
Melissa Joan Hart
Too many to count. But I did end up cutting a hole in Mason's diaper to try to get him to go #2 on the potty, and when it fell out of his diaper, he ran around the bathroom, yelling and stepping in it. It was traumatic, but it worked.
*Melissa currently stars in "My Fake Fiance," an ABC Family Original Movie co-starring Joey Lawrence. Check local listings for upcoming air times. Photo: Kevin Winter, Getty Images.
Nancy O'Dell
Chocolate seems to work wonders! Ashby takes after her father and LOVES anything chocolate....M&Ms, chocolate chip cookies, etc. After she has a successful potty time, I sometimes give her a sweet surprise! Now she can't wait to go the the potty because she loves to get her M&M's after!
*Nancy is the author of "Full of Life: Mom-to-Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant" and is also the host of "Access Hollywood." Photo: Lester Cohen, Getty Images.
Chandra Wilson
I would have my girls spend time sitting (on the potty) until the tinkle showed up. Then we would "pat, pat, pat, pat, put it in the potty" with the tissue.
*Chandra will join the Broadway cast of "Chicago" this summer in the role of Matron "Mama" Morton. She also plays Chief Resident Miranda Bailey on ABC's "Gray's Anatomy." Photo: Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images.
Joan Lunden
Well with twins, when one has to go, it gives the other the idea that maybe THEY have to go too! In fact, one time I went into my twins' Max and Kate's room and smelled something suspicious. I looked in the toilet, looked around the room, but found nothing. Later that evening, when I still smelled the suspect odor, I asked the kids about it and found out that while one had been using the toilet, the other had to go so badly that he went number 2 in the trash can!!
*Joan is the Host of DIRECTV's "Hometown Heroes," which airs every Sunday at 9am on DIRECTV's 101 Network. Photo: Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images.
ParentDish asked...Do you have any funny potty training anecdotes or horror stories you can share?
Chyler LeighOnce my son (who's now 5), became aware that he had to poop at around 2 years old, he would hide and/or suddenly become very quiet. One day we had put him in his room for his nap and he decided that he no longer wanted to keep his dirty diaper on. Well, since he had been making noise and suddenly got quiet, I figured that he had either fallen asleep very quickly or was up to no good. My husband ran upstairs to check on him and then immediately yelled for me. Assuming the worst, I headed up. And sure enough, my son had taken his dirty diaper (and all that was inside of it) and smeared it all over the wall. Unfortunately for us, we had a short cut shag carpet that the remnants of poo easily burrowed into. That's when we knew that it was time to look into potty training.
*Chyler plays the role of intern Lexie Gray on ABC's "Gray's Anatomy." Photo: Jeffrey Mayer, WireImage.
Melora Hardin My first daughter potty trained herself by 18 months (because of the cloth diapers -- I'm convinced). Our second daughter didn't get out of nighttime diapers until she was a little over 4, but as soon as she said to me she wanted to not wear a diaper to bed, we started letting her go and there have been many wet beds to deal with, but we have a great waterproof mattress cover (from Pottery Barn Kids) under the sheets. We still take her to the bathroom in the middle of the night when one of us gets up to go. It's pretty funny because she stays asleep when we put her on the potty -- we can plop her right back on the bed after and she never even notices. Now she rarely has an accident. When she does have an accident, we try to make light of it and tell her it's no big deal, but when there are dry sheets we always try to make sure and tell her how proud we are of her.
*Melora recently directed, starred and co-produced a film called "YOU," which was released via the internet on Mother's Day, May 8, 2009. Melora is also well-known for her role as Jan on NBC's "The Office." Photo: David Livingston, Getty Images.
Brooke Burke I potty trained my first daughter on an island, she was able to go in nature when she felt the sensation, so there were no accidents trying to make it to a restroom.
*Brooke's website, BabooshBaby.com, features maternity and post-pregnancy products. Photo: Frazer Harrison, Getty Images.
Melissa Joan HartToo many to count. But I did end up cutting a hole in Mason's diaper to try to get him to go #2 on the potty, and when it fell out of his diaper, he ran around the bathroom, yelling and stepping in it. It was traumatic, but it worked.
*Melissa currently stars in "My Fake Fiance," an ABC Family Original Movie co-starring Joey Lawrence. Check local listings for upcoming air times. Photo: Kevin Winter, Getty Images.
Nancy O'DellChocolate seems to work wonders! Ashby takes after her father and LOVES anything chocolate....M&Ms, chocolate chip cookies, etc. After she has a successful potty time, I sometimes give her a sweet surprise! Now she can't wait to go the the potty because she loves to get her M&M's after!
*Nancy is the author of "Full of Life: Mom-to-Mom Tips I Wish Someone Had Told Me When I Was Pregnant" and is also the host of "Access Hollywood." Photo: Lester Cohen, Getty Images.
Chandra WilsonI would have my girls spend time sitting (on the potty) until the tinkle showed up. Then we would "pat, pat, pat, pat, put it in the potty" with the tissue.
*Chandra will join the Broadway cast of "Chicago" this summer in the role of Matron "Mama" Morton. She also plays Chief Resident Miranda Bailey on ABC's "Gray's Anatomy." Photo: Frederick M. Brown, Getty Images.
Joan LundenWell with twins, when one has to go, it gives the other the idea that maybe THEY have to go too! In fact, one time I went into my twins' Max and Kate's room and smelled something suspicious. I looked in the toilet, looked around the room, but found nothing. Later that evening, when I still smelled the suspect odor, I asked the kids about it and found out that while one had been using the toilet, the other had to go so badly that he went number 2 in the trash can!!
*Joan is the Host of DIRECTV's "Hometown Heroes," which airs every Sunday at 9am on DIRECTV's 101 Network. Photo: Stephen Lovekin, Getty Images.
Your<span>Voice</span>
Ask Us Anything About Parenting
Recently Asked
- HICKMAN, DERIAN DOUGLAS PLAINTIFF PRO SE & INTERNAL REVENUE SERVICE Defendant Service: Summons Issued Method: Service Issued
- Cant upload foia for federal election commission primary election results or general for derian douglas hickman or the e-mail
- Divorce reasons wife does not want IVF, Donor Sperm
TheTalkies:RelatedVideos
-
Potty Train Your Puppy
How to potty train a puppy, the essentials in 4 minutes.
-
Public Potty Training
Potty training is one of the most challenging tasks parents will face as they raise their kids. But what happens when the degree of difficulty is raised and potty training goes from the home to out in public? In this episode of The Lab, Daddy Clay and Daddy Brad attempt to help deal with the phobia of public potty training. They talk with a dad and friend of DadLabs, Gregg Ross, who shares his potty training mishaps. What are the essential diaper bag items a parent will need to bring along?
-
Potty Training Twins and Multiples
Is potty training twins really twice as hard as potty training one? Dr Carol Cooper shares her advice and experience on potty training twins and multiples, from when to start to how many potties you'll need.
-
Potty Training Dance
Huggies came up with a fun way to potty train kids, the Potty Dance. Juli Auclair of Parents TV talks to Tori Spelling who was the special guest at the Potty Dance event, about motherhood and potty training your kids.
SitesWeLove
- Site Map
- |
- Staff
- |
- Terms of Service
- |
- Privacy Policy
- |
- Trademarks
- |
- Advertise With Us
- |
- About Our Ads
- |
- AOL Downloads
- |
- Contact Us
- |
© Copyright 2012 AOL Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Aol Family
ReaderComments (Page 9 of 10)
6-30-2009 @ 2:14PM
smiles2322 said...I don't think using "attic monsters" is cruel at all. No one is the same. We as parents know our children and we know what works best. My children have special needs; praise and candy etc. did not work for them. My kids played in their poo for years. They say that is the most tactile thing on earth. One of my children is blind so of course she was into that tactile stimulation. Anyway, for my children what worked was to take them shopping and let them pick their very own special pairs of "big girl" undies which they could not have until they decided they were going to use the potty. My youngest was almost 5 when she finally earned her big girl undies and my oldest was 7. I don't think it's right for us to judge anyone or their children.
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 2:30PM
Jeannie said...I have two boys and I had no trouble potty training them. We have a big yellow rock we found in the creek and we put it next to our porch. We used it to potty train them. If they peed on the pee rock they would get a treat, Worthers Candies are considered a rare treat in our home. If they peed they got a condy, if they pooped in the potty they got two (one to share). We have never had an accident. We always made a big deal out of it. We would clap and dance around with them after they were done. Postive reinforcement is awesome. Both of my boys were potty trained by the age of two. We never did pull-ups. They went to the store with us and picked out their own undies. They were so excited about the cool big-boy pants that they forgot all about the diapers.
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 2:18PM
Starlet said...My twin girls potty trained at 18 months, regressed back to pullups at 2, trained again at 2 yrs 3 months and then regressed at 2.5 years. They just decided it was easier to go in a pullup. And I was so dumb that I thought - well, pullups are temporary, they'll figure it out again... But they had made a decision. I was at my wits end with messy, disgusting pullups.
So one day a week before their 3rd birthday, we were in the car driving somewhere and I said to them, "you know... Mommy's not allowed to buy pullups or diapers for you guys once you turn 3. Did you know that?" And they got all wide eyed and didn't say anything. So I continued, "yea... I'll bring the diapers up to the counter and the lady will look at you guys and say - aren't they 3 years old?" And I will have to tell her "yes" and she'll say, "I'm sorry - but I can't sell you diapers." The girls still wide eyed said, "really??" And I said - "Yea, so... you better start learning! I mean, you have a few days left, but you HAVE to start going in the potty because there's going to be nothing else I can do!" Once we got home, both changed into big girl underwear and I was able to give my remaining pullups away.
And yep, I lied. They're 15 now and think this story is hilarious.
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 2:17PM
rachelcoolo said...Well my friends when they potty train there son they would put cherrios,m&m, ect. and he would aim for his targe an devery time I would come over or baby sit he wanted to show me! Well I wore pull ups all the time then i went to undies and my baby sitter would let me go to the bathroom and if I used "THE BIG POT" , I got a hand full of m&m and after 2 tries I was potty trained!!!!!!
BEAT THAT!!!!
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 2:23PM
cathy said...Hi all, I have been trying to pottytrain my grandaughter who is 21/2. I have tried letting her run around naked, giving her treats, buying her princess panties that she can have after she learns to use the potty. It has been a month and a half and none of this has worked.I have tried recently to wave at the potty and say,"good bye peepee/poopie" as it is being flushed down the toilet. This is seeming to work some what. I don't know what to do otherwise. I don't want to embarass her, or be mean to her about it Any one have any other suggestions?
THANKS!
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 2:42PM
smiles2322 said...Another idea I tried was music there are special CDs made for potty training. The songs are pretty cute and some children respond very well to them. Again, for some children, nothing works you just have to wait for them to decide it's time. There are children in the world that will never be potty trained, so even if you are like me and your child doesn't train until he/she is 7 just relax and consider yourself very fortunate because your child can learn to use the potty.
6-30-2009 @ 2:27PM
LLoon77 said...There's nothing wrong with letting a 5 year old child feel embarrassed and ashamed of wetting his pants. It's exactly the way he SHOULD feel! That alone is enough to solve the problem - no monsters, devils, or spankings needed!
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 2:34PM
backdogskaitlyn said...I was always dragged in stores and stuff like that and I used to wear diapers until about 18 months and i was put undies on me and i was taught not to have an accident by embarresment and was put undies on at bedtime and if i didnt wet those i got 2 peices of candy and thats how i learned it took 1 week
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 2:34PM
julie said...To Mommytoroo on page 6: You would get along great with my in-laws. There is a lot of fist pumping on this subject isn't there?
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 2:52PM
Nico said...I see all of these negative remarks on how one parent potty trains their kid versus another parent whom thinks they have little angels that can't go a day without a little embarrassment or fright. Get a clue ladies. I am a first time mom and I didn't even bother with the parenting books because they are hog wash for the most part. I used the same method on my daughter that my mother used on me and she's trained at 10 months old. At 8 months I started putting silk frilly bottomed panties on her, with white cotton panties under them. Being a little girl she didn't want to mess up the "pretty" panties and was a breeze with the exception of night time accidents up until 10 months old. She's still learning to walk steadily, but she lets me know when she's got to go. I didn't have to use monsters, or a public scene, but if I had to? I most definately would. There is nothing wrong with teaching your kid as early as possible how to potty in the potty. I agree that if you let your kid go until they are five or six that you are being a poor parent. Kudos to those that learned what did it for your kid and motivated them, and don't worry about what the other idiots say about it being controlling or mean. They are like others have said. Not parents, or not good ones anyway.
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 3:01PM
mommy3 said...i have read all there is to read at this point and agree with some but not all. i am a mother of 3, one boy who is 5 and two girls, one 4 and the other 2 next month. i believe that boys are easiler to train than girls. my son was good to go after 3 days of running around the house in his birthday suit. he didnt have any accidents in those days but has had a few at night.(not many) my oldest daughter on the other hand was not so easy. she refused to go #2 in the potty and there was no changing that. i did in the end get stern with her cause she though it was just funny to watch me clean it up, but after she realized it wasnt when she had to help, that was the end of that. now my youngest will be 2 next month and she is a major hip baby. ive tried everything but im having a problem with it cause her father has her during the day when i work and he isnt into the whole keeping up with it so when i pick her up shes so confused on why she cant use a diaper. ive talked to him but i dont think he understands the problem cause he always says shes only gonna be 2 she'll catch on when shes ready. this is his and mine for that matter last child and yes shes a daddys girl. what do i do????
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 3:02PM
Sher said...I wasn't really looking to potty-train my daughter at 20 months, but I found this video at the library called "Once Upon a Potty" and checked it out. After my daughter watched the movie, she asked for a potty chair. She liked sitting on the chair while watching the movie. She showed so much interest, my girlfriend advised me to let her play outside without pants on. (it was warm and I have a private fenced backyard) When she went pee, she stoped and looked inbetween her legs, like "what was that?" She pretty much (day time) potty-trained herself in less than a week. I was so surprised, I decided to go ahead and reward her for night-time potties. I put a post-it note next to the toilet, and she got a star for getting up and going at night. After 5 stars, she got to go to the dollar store and pick something out, and we started with a new post-it. That went on for about a month, but after that she was doing so good we stopped. She still had an occasional accident, but I had a great mattress pad that I got in the bedding dept. at Targer for 9.99. So it was no big deal. She did have to sleep on the floor, because I just took the wet sheets off an waited till morning to do the rest. She was so tired that it didn't seem to be a problem. About the 40 year old guy that still wets the bed, has he been to the doctor? He might have a medical condition. I used to work at a daycare, and I saw parents do or say desperate things because potty-training wasn't working. A few times, it turned out to be a medical condition. Also, my MIL said my husband used to poo his pants past 3. She took him to several doctors, but the last doctor had everyone leave the room and asked him why he was pooing his pants. He told the doctor he was going to poo his pants until his dad came home. (His dad was military, stationed in Okinawa) So if your child is over 3 and still going in their pants, it could be for attention, or because they want to. My prayers are with all parents who are having a hard time. Good Luck, and remember they grow up so fast, enjoy them while they are little.
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 5:23PM
Becky said...I have a 3 1/2 year old daughter and she is my first and so far my only child. I do have a 10 yr old stepdaughter so my husband had some previous experience in potty training. Around age 2 my mother-in-law insisted that I potty train my daughter. So of course I started putting panties on her. She was very inconsistent with her success. We never had "good days" and "bad days", it was more like good "hours" and bad "hours"!! SO, my own mother told me, "She just isn't ready yet. Trust me when I say, Don't push a child who isn't ready!" I am 100% in agreement with my mother and she was absolutely correct! I stopped 'PUSHING" my 2 year old, and within 3 months she potty-trained all ON HER OWN!! One day after three months just diapers, I asked her if she wanted to wear big girl panties like mommy. We put them on and she did have one accident at first but within hours she snuck up to the bathroom, on her own and came to me with her pants around her ankles, asking for some help!! Of course she had a couple of accidents because she'd wait until the last minute, but she's now 3 1/2 and has NEVER wet the bed! Like I said, she has many times been standing in the bathroom, pulling her pants down, doing the 'peepee' dance when most of her accidents occur. The trick to making it thru the night is simple: take away all beverages atleast 2 hours before bed (limiting your child to a sip or two from your own glass only, and of course going to the potty right before tucking him/her in. Trust me, these two rules will make life so much easier!!
Reply
6-30-2009 @ 8:50PM
linda said...Kelly, if you let the child potty train him or herself, what if they are 5 years old and still not trained? They can't go to school unless they can go to the toilet. So it is best to show them. We show them how to tie their shoes, write their name, etc. So we must teach them to go on the potty.
Reply
7-01-2009 @ 1:15PM
E.K. said...You people on here being judgemental need to get over it! I bet your the same parents that go into resturants and expect everyone in the place to listen to your little kids kick, scream, cry, and throw fits because your one of those....1, 2, 3 type parents! Or a "wait until I tell your daddy" types. Your kids are the one's who go into stores and throw themselves a nice, loud, little fit to get what they want and always succeed at it because your so terrified that your going to scar your child! Your also the one's who take your kids to the movies and don't care that they disturb everyone else! Guess what....you ANNOY everyone around you while at the same time teaching your kids to believe that they are the ONLY ONES that matter in the world. Forget that they are disturbing everyone else around them. Every child is different and what works for one may not work for another.
I'm NOT a fan of threatening kids or scaring them but I am a no-nonsense parent. I lay it out there in a manner they can understand. EVERY child needs to be taught there are rules and consequences. WHY should the kid have been allowed a TREAT at McDonalds for wetting his pants? Yeah...that's a great message to send. NOT!
Grow up people. And stop with the parent of the year advice to those you think are worse at it than you are. You think your doing a great job while the rest of us think you shouldn't have had kids to begin with!!!
Reply
7-20-2009 @ 4:41PM
Richard said...Scintillating conversation!
Reply
7-19-2009 @ 8:40AM
Mark Cooper said...Okay really the best way is to beat the as- . I am a firm beleiver that ifyou beat theas- all will work out in my favor. I tiredof some of these stupid ideas and some sofar fetched its un real you would print them, once again BEAT THE AS-". Have a good day, let the beatings begin ,LOL. It makes you feel better and takes your mind off obama and the other freaks.
Reply
7-19-2009 @ 8:58AM
coastalcondo1 said...Make me wonder about aol. This article about Joan Lundens twins dirty diapers takes the front seat on the welcome page, while an article about a United States American solier being help prisoner by the taliban takes a second place. Go figure.
Reply
7-19-2009 @ 9:56AM
Connie said...When young I had a bed wetting problem. I would tell my Mom
that I had a dream I was using the bathroom, but it was only a
dream. I woke wet and sad. I finally got over it and slept all night
without a problem. Recently at the age of 57, I've had those
dreams AGAIN. It's awful. I dream I have to go to the bathroom so
I do visit a "dream bathroom" only to suddenly realize I'm ONLY dreaming....and wake to wet underware. I rush to the "real" bathroom, change my underware, and go back to sleep hoping
THAT won't happen again. At age 57 I have to work on potty training myself all over again: no liguids before bed, go before going
to bed, and pray I have to dreams~!
Reply
7-19-2009 @ 5:04PM
Debbie Jansen said...I've only read about half the comments posted....but please do yourself a favor and potty train correctly! It's not a mystery. It's about understanding the mental state of your child and combining it with their physical abilities. Yes, it can be done in one day when you understand it. I've written a 16 page booklet on the process and I've personally potty trained over 30 children. It works, it's simple, it's kid friendly and it's void of all the horror stories.
Go to http://www.debbiejansen.com and click on resources. Have fun with your child and make this a pleasant experience.
Reply