Still wearing Pull-Ups

Q: Our four-year-old, who is fully potty trained, refuses to wear underpants. She is still wearing Pull-Ups. We try to encourage her to wear panties, telling her that she’s a big girl and that other girls wear them. When we do try to put panties on her, she cries and fights with us. Any suggestions?

A: Although your daughter is fully trained, she may not trust herself. Maybe she had an accident and is worried it will happen again. Whatever is motivating her preference for Pull-Ups, she clearly is not ready for panties and there’s no point fighting with her over what she’s wearing. So let her set the agenda. When she’s ready for panties, she will let you know.

In the meantime, to keep your daughter on track, you could take her shopping for some new big-girl underwear, making sure she knows they can stay in her drawer until she wants to wear them.