Being potty trained for oceaneer club

[dblumy]

We are sailing on the May 27th cruise to Costa Maya(2006). My oldest will be 10 and my lilttle one will have just turned 3 on the 21st. He is partially potty trained and will not "poop" in his diaper. He would not have to be changed. Does anyone know if this would be a problem for the club or should I plan on flounders reef?

[crazy4themouse]

They are very strict about the potty-training thing. They must be able to not only be wearing regular underwear, but have to be able to completely take care of themselves in the bathroom. (Wiping, etc.)

 

Flounders Reef is so expensive though... maybe your little one will be fully trained by then! :)

 

-gina-

[dblumy]

Thanks for your reply - but I am wondering - How would they know if he is wearing regular underwear - do they ask you at registration?

[crazy4themouse]

I think they just find out accidentally, sorta. Well, I mean, even Pull-ups show when the child bends over... I'm sure they could tell pretty easily.

 

I just don't want your little sweetie to have an accident and get upset at such a young age, because they won't -- can't -- help him. It's a health thing, especially with that being the main avenue of Norovirus transmission. They will have to let him sit there until you come get him when they page you, and he could get really upset. :( But seriously, May is a long way off still! Mine suddenly decided one day that he was done with diapers, and that was that. It literally happened that fast. I hope it does for you, too!

 

-gina-

[mom x4,grandma x4]

Hi,

It's true they are very strict about potty training in the clubs, so hopefully your son will be trained by then.

One thing that helps a lot with newly trained kids is they show them the bathroom as soon as they enter the club the first time and every so often the announce it's time for a potty break and everyone must try to go, which helps the newly trained to remember. With all the excitement accidents do happen even with kids who have been trained for awhile, they do understand that. I read once where a lady was worried that her little girl would forget to go, she was just trained too. So she bought her a kids disney watch and set the alarm for once an hour. Then the girl wore it for 2 weeks prior to the cruise and learned when she heard that beep beep she needed to go to the potty and try to go. Once on the ship she continued to wear it and go every hour, so no accidents. The mother had some kind of story about it being a special Mickey watch just to help her to remember so Mickey would be proud of her on his ship etc... When the child was with her mom and dad at shows and such they too the watch off, so they could go longer than an hour. It's just a thought, bu tit might help.

mom x4,grandma x4

[sunny_medford]

I just booked a Disney cruise for next January for our family of 6. My husband, myself, my mother-in-law, my soon to be 18 yr old step daughter, my nearly 9 yr old son and my daughter who will be 6 by the time we cruise. My son was born with a birth defect that has prevented him from potty training. He wears pull-ups all the time and goes to the bathroom for timed visits. He takes care of himself completely, other that reminders to go TO the bathroom. He also has scoleosis that has progressed to the point that there is discussions of him getting a back brace soon. There are other issues as well, but those are the most obvious. Mentally and socially he is a typical 8-9 yr old child. Do you think he will be unable to attend the programs? He carries his supplies in a backpack with him all the time.

 

Wendy

[crazy4themouse]

I'm not sure what to tell you... they just don't have the staff to remind a certain child to go to the restroom. Their staff:child ratios are something like 1:25. I do know that in the FAQ, it states that "we are unable to provide one-on-one care."

 

They stay constantly busy and on-the-move in the kids' clubs, and the only thing I can suggest is that you keep a kids' Navigator (newsletter and schedule) handy, and show up at the times you need to escort your child to the restroom.

 

-gina-

[sunny_medford]

Thanks for your insight. I think I'm gonna buy one of those medication reminder alarms and bribe my son w/the cruise to use it independantly. I've got nearly a year so plenty of time. Again thanks for responding.

 

Wendy

[crazy4themouse]

I can definitely tell you that the staff in the kids' clubs are SO nice, and so sweet to the kids... Perhaps you could just call DCL and explain the situation to them? Maybe it's just like needing a special menu at meals -- if they know ahead of time, they can accomodate you easily. Worth a shot!

 

Your son is going to have a great time, I can promise you that. :) Have a wonderful cruise!!

[Host Mick]

Hi,

It's true they are very strict about potty training in the clubs, so hopefully your son will be trained by then.

One thing that helps a lot with newly trained kids is they show them the bathroom as soon as they enter the club the first time and every so often the announce it's time for a potty break and everyone must try to go, which helps the newly trained to remember. With all the excitement accidents do happen even with kids who have been trained for awhile, they do understand that. I read once where a lady was worried that her little girl would forget to go, she was just trained too. So she bought her a kids disney watch and set the alarm for once an hour. Then the girl wore it for 2 weeks prior to the cruise and learned when she heard that beep beep she needed to go to the potty and try to go. Once on the ship she continued to wear it and go every hour, so no accidents. The mother had some kind of story about it being a special Mickey watch just to help her to remember so Mickey would be proud of her on his ship etc... When the child was with her mom and dad at shows and such they too the watch off, so they could go longer than an hour. It's just a thought, bu tit might help.

mom x4,grandma x4

 

That's kind of funny.

I hope that the kid doesn't have some sort of Pavlovian response later in life. Just think, in class or in a meeting and whenever someone's watch beeps, you gotta go.