Signing then refusing to go

[Tish]

Hi all

DS is 12 months old, we ECed him until he started crawling and he pretty much lost it after that and then we became quite slack with offering. He'd never signalled either. We've used the sign for toilet for ages while pottying him, and in the last few days he seems to have just "gotten" in his head what the sign actually means. For a day or so he was signing me straight after he'd gone in his nappy (hoooray! great progress, so proud) and then started signing before he needed to go, and we were catching wee and poo for a day or so (and then he'd sign after and clap to remind us how clever he is )

Now he's signing, so I potty and he stands up almost immediately. I'll try to distract him but he wants to wander off. Then a minute or so later he'll do the same thing again, and then again, and then shortly after that I'll watch him wee on the carpet.

It's like he recognises he wants to go, so he signs and holds on but when I put him on the potty he gets stage fright, or forgets what to do?

Anyone else encountered something like this and any tips on overcoming it?

Thanks!
Tish

[hrsmom]

I think it's part of the process. I didn't sign enough for my LO to use it, but we've had similar instances with verbal signalling. There's a lot to coordinate with saying/signing you have to go (ahead of time!), waiting to go, then actually going when you're on the potty. I think sometimes they get distracted, or just don't quite have the sequence down yet. I think just roll with it as he's maturing. Sounds like you're having a ton of fun with your little guy!

[Tish]

Yes hrsmom, you're right - there is a lot going on in his little head - I should just give him a bit of a break and see how things turn out In the meantime I"ll keep offering the potty every time he asks - must have been scores of times today!!

[hrsmom]

You just reminded me- my LO has gone through phases where she just asks and wants to be put on the potty, not to pee, but for some other reason. The first time she did that was shortly after she began indicating the need to pee. They're so funny!

[paulamc]

Originally Posted by hrsmom

You just reminded me- my LO has gone through phases where she just asks and wants to be put on the potty, not to pee, but for some other reason. The first time she did that was shortly after she began indicating the need to pee. They're so funny!

My 13 month old has been doing the potty sign when he wants out of his high chair - it's a ploy!!!!

It seems he also does it on occasion when he wants to play with the soap or the toothbrushes that are at the sink where I typically take him to pee.

[hrsmom]

Originally Posted by paulamc

My 13 month old has been doing the potty sign when he wants out of his high chair - it's a ploy!!!!

It seems he also does it on occasion when he wants to play with the soap or the toothbrushes that are at the sink where I typically take him to pee.

Same here! Sometimes I just try to figure out what it is she wants to play with, rather than actually messing with putting her on the potty!