Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

I feel like we have so much change coming up, and I'm so excited for it all, yet SO nervous.

The plan is to put Jack into a fullsize bed after he turns three (on June 28th) I want to make it a big deal for turning three. I'm not sure if he will even put the two together though, so I'm not sure why I'm waiting....but then I think - why take him out of his crib when he's happy?! I am SO torn on what to do. I want him in a big bed bc I do think he'll love it - but what if it backfires on me??? There's no turning back once we do it. My friend just did it with her son and had such success that now I'm getting antsy. Her son was jumping out of the crib though, where Jack loves his crib.

Potty training is the second thing on my mind all the time. He pees on the potty every time I put him on. He pooped on the potty last night. Actually asked to go on and poop (he was in the bath)

The PLAN was to wait until DH is home for the summer that way we have two sets of hands, one to deal with the baby, and one to take care of Jack. Now I'm scared that I'm going to miss the boat. Is he ready now and I'm just missing the opportunity? I know we have to stay in a few days to get it done and the next two weeks we have parties every weekend. We wouldn't be able to do it until the first weekend in June anyway (starting Thursday after he goes to school - until Monday morning school)

I'm just not sure if I'm the one holding him back now - or if I am going to rush these things and regret it bc he's not ready.

I would love some opinions of BTDT or anyone going through something similar.

Message edited 5/17/2010 3:29:54 PM.

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

As for the potty training...I'm not sure I can give much advice because it's not going well over here. However, if I were you, I'd definitely go for it now! He's showing an interest and that's the biggest thing.

As for the bed...realistically, how much longer are you going to get out of the crib? I'd make the switch when you planned to. My older DD went into a bed at 3 years 4 mos. and my plan for Abby is to make the switch no later than July, when she'll be 3 years 2 mos. Most of my anxiety from that comes over the fact that she'll also be sharing a room with her sister at that point. They both love/loved the crib, but what was I going to do? Keep them in until they were 15?

As a BTDT, I can say that generally we build things up and worry and the kids do much better than we expect...

Message edited 5/17/2010 3:38:56 PM.

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

I go back and forth over the big boy bed too--DS is 2.5 and also is not climbing out and seems fine with his crib. I have two friends who moved their children out around 2 (one had to for jumping out, the other was having a baby and wanted the crib), and they both advised me to keep him in it longer if he's happy with it--once he's out he can get up anytime, and I know my kid will do exactly that.

As for potty training, I know, I'm having trouble finding a couple days in a row when we can really stay home to push it to the next level, though I do remind myself kids in daycare get potty trained somehow! Mine is doing the same as yours, pees on it a few times during the day, but he still uses diapers. I'm thinking I may just try his underwear one day soon and see what happens, I'm hoping he'll wet himself, not like it, and use the potty, but we'll see.

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

I moved TJ to a regular bed in August right before Derek was born. But his room was ready for a few weeks before we moved him. We would play in there and I explained to him this was his big boy room and that the crib would be for the new baby. I would lay on the bed with him and read books, really just trying to get him comfortable.

I have to say, he switched NO problems! Kept his normal nap routine and slept just as well at night. I was lucky. I do know people who have transitioned their kids slowly starting with naps in the new bed.

As far as potty training, being TJ is in nursery school twice a week I am waiting until the 1st week of June to do full blown potty training when school is over (keeping him home for the week and regular underwear). I have had him in pull ups for the past month so he can get used to pulling up and down his own underwear and pants. We also have a little potty that he asks to sit on and does, but doesnt actually go. Regardless, I consider it the "prep" work.

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

We waited until Grace was 3 to move her to a big bed. She loved her crib too. It wasn't an easy transistion since she was old enough to know that she could get out of bed. Its still tough to put her down- I literally have to lie there with her. But I am glad we waited. She really loved her crib so why take it away?

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

I am SO surprised at how easy it was to transition C to the bed...you know how stubborn she is, so I was really nervous...but we HAD to do it b/c the new furniture came. She KNOWS not to get out of bed without calling for us...we go in and greet her, tell her she can get out of bed. It's only been 2 times in 2 months (just last week and the other night) that she got out of bed in the middle of the night, and she wasn't even fully aware of it (she was kind of sleepwalking).

I'm right there with you on potty training. C totally knows how to go on the potty and when she has to go, but she’s being SO stubborn about it on purpose….it’s a power thing with her. Ugh!!!! So, summer is when we’ll do a boot camp…again, same as you, we’ll both be home and can devote more time to stay in the house. I’m all for not forcing them when they’re not ready, but she’s totally working us b/c she knows the drill but just refuses.

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

I didn't read the responses but here is my 2 cents.
As far as the crib/bed thing. Since you don't have a real reason to put him in a bed other than to wait for his 3rd birthday- then wait. He loves his crib....so why fix something that's not broken? I wish my kids loved their crib. I wished my kids loved their bed. I know it's exciting to see them in a big kid bed; it's another milestone but I personally wouldn't rush it b/c he sincerley loves where he is. See what next month brings.

The potty training thing....I'd try it now since he is definitetl showing signs. Sometimes you just have to hold your nose and jump in the deep end. I wouldn't wait for the extra hands- try it now. If it works, it works. If he needs more time, he needs more time- no big deal.

However, if you're going to do the bed; I'd wait on potty training and visa vera. I wouldn't do both. KWIM?

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

Posted by chelle

Posted by carolyns4cupcakes

The potty training thing....I'd try it now since he is definitetl showing signs. Sometimes you just have to hold your nose and jump in the deep end. I wouldn't wait for the extra hands- try it now. If it works, it works. If he needs more time, he needs more time- no big deal.

ITA.

And Diana...you can SO do it without the extra hands. Trust me

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

My philosophy is not to push kids until you think they are really ready. If he loves his crib, let him be. When he turns 3 I would start talking to him about it and see if he seems excited. If he does, then try it. We totally talked up dd's big girl bed and let her pick out lots of dolls to put in. She started with an elmo toddler bed so she loved it. But then went into a full bed within 3 months. She sleeps great - of course she gets yp earlier sometimes but never gets out without one of us getting her.

As far as potty training, dd is 3.5 and just started to poop op the potty. It was a HUGE source of frustration for me, but again there was nothing I could do until she was ready. She didn't want to go. But if Jack is showing signs of being ready then I would go for it. I would start now even if you are busy. We didn't let dd run around naked, we just constantly asked her if she had to go. If you are taking a long car ride I would put a pull-up on though. Do you need to go straight to underwear or would you use pull-ups? Because this way he can take them down and up to use the potty but if he has an accident its a lot easier than cleaning up underwear when you are out.

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

dd is 3.5 yrs old....she still has a toddler bed (well, it was her crib but then we converted it...) and honestly she loves it, we'll prob keep it until she asks for a big one, my theory is always "if it ain't broke...", dd is a great sleeper and I guess I don't want to jinx any of it...

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds

we changed ds from a crib to a full bed maybe 2-3 months ago. he also did great in his crib and loved it (and i wanted to keep him there till he turned 16) but to me he looked so big and cramped. well we talked it up and he LOVED his big boy bed since the 1st second he saw it and honestly i think I love it more bc we get awesome cuddle time in there and book time. we got the one step ahead long railings bc he was all over the crib and he's still all over his full bed.

as far as potty training, i did things different than most. i didn't pick a specific time to train him. we slowly trained and wore pull ups for a long time. he started the process himself the day after he turned 2 but i thought he was too young to fully train so i let him take the lead and just took him when he asked or when i knew he needed to go. eventually at about 2 1/2 yrs. when he finally pooped and peed conistantly and stayed dry we switched to underwear. it was so low stress. so with all that said i don't think you can miss the boat. keep taking him and asking him and rewarding him, talking to him and when you're ready do the switch.

Re: Feeling so so confused - moms of 3 year olds