potty problems with neice

[briannas auntie]

I recently started babysitting my neice twice a week while my sister is at work.  This way, Brianna doesn't have to stay in Daycare all day long.

Well, Brianna just started potty training about 2 months ago, and she still is having problems with it.  She will mess in her pull-ups and then say that she needs to use the potty.  But, of course, when she is on the potty, she doesn't have to go because she already went in her pants.  Its starting to frustrate my sister and I, because we are trying to get her trained by the end of the summer.

I have tried to explain to her that Dora (the character on her pull-ups: Pampers Easy-Ups) doesn't like to get wet or messy and that Dora gets sad when she does.  I thought since my neice adores Dora that this might help, but it didn't.  I even set a timer and told her that when the timer went off, she can get off the potty.  That has worked, but she still won't go in the potty, only in her pull-ups.  I have tried reading to her, playing "itsy bitsy spider" with her, and even bribing her, but nothing has helped!  The only thing she will do the whole time she is on the potty is play with herself.  I realize that this is natural for toddlers, so I have not disciplined or discouraged her from doing that. 

My sister doesn't want to put her in regular training pants yet, due to the extra laundry, but I think that Brianna would learn to use the potty easier, since she'd feel the wetness better. 

Any advice?

Jessie