How old were your kids when you let them have open access to a bathroom for independent potty training? I'm thinking that if my boys could go to the potty without telling me every time, they'd be a little more interested in it. I have a half-bath that doesn't have too much they can destroy, but I am really concerned about them flushing random toys and entire rolls of toilet paper. Are they too young for me to trust them not to destroy the plumbing?

Also, I feel fairly confident that the toilet isn't a drowning hazard at this age. Am I right or wrong on that one?

They will be 3 in December.

Jenny
single mom to spontaneous BBB 34w 2d

http://lilypie.com>

They had access to the bathroom during the day at your boys' exact age. We moved into a new house July 1, and they turned 3 on Sep 3...we just didn't put up the gate at the new house. Of course, at night we gated them in...and they didn't figure out how to climb out until well over 3.5.

That being said, mine still didn't potty train until almost 3.5, and I still gated them in at night. If they had to go potty they would yell for me and I'd go get them and let them use the bathroom.

Let me just say that we are in another new house, and we have NO GATES! It is great to not have to climb over gates in the middle of the night!

We still have to get together before we end up leaving Shreveport!

Alice

GGG born 9/3/05 at 35w3d

mine definitely had open access to our downstairs bathroom once they started potty training. They were 2.5. We never had an issue with toys or toilet paper. I just don't think they'd ever thought of it. so you would know your kids best.

Mary

born 12/12/04 33w2d

My kids have always had access to the bathrooms, never restricted, never locked..I think maybe once or twice they may have "accidentally" dropped stuff in there, but you would be surprised how smart kids are if you just explain stuff to them. They know the rules around here, dont' make that much of a big deal about it. Sure, there were times when a roll of toilet paper got unwound, but who cares, and it didnt' happen often.

HTH

Jennifer

I have BBB and they had access the bathroom when they could open the door themself which was just after 2. I never had any problems with them flushing random objects or TP. I also don't have the TP out on a roll where they can unroll it and think it's fun. I started potty training at three and now they are four FINALLY potty trained fully. We had accidents here and there, but the first three months were the hardest. Now they are good to go and the door is still open. Our only problem now is who is going to pee first because they all want to flush their own. Oh, what joys we get to experience! Hang in there and hope all goes well.
Sarah

Hey Jenny,

I'm having the same delima about giving my kiddos open access to the bathroom. I tried it the other day and it was ok until I found them playing in the toilet. I've decided to give them specific big kid rules for the bathroom and let them have free access for 30 minutes the first few days and then increase the time by 30 minutes every few days as long as they continue to follow the rules.

Every once in a while Chloe will decide that she needs to stand up and pee like Parrish and Tabitha likes to use way too much toilet paper. Parrish is pretty good about doing his busniess, however he likes to climb on top of the toilet to reach the sink for washing his hands. This wouldn't be so bad except he has figured out how to turn the faucet on even though I took the handles off of it. A 2 year old can flood a bathroom and have a field day before you have time to figure out where all the water is coming from.

Good luck
My

Tabitha - Parrish - Chloe
01/01/2007