How do you get a stubborn toddler potty trained?

Question

My 3 1/2 yr old little girl is potty trained at the babysitters but won't even try at home. We have tried positive and negative reinforcement nothing seems to work. She is very stubborn. She should be fully trained by now and I am struggling with her being almost 4 and not trained. Got any tips or advice. Please help!!

Answer 1

Hold her responsible. This is her issue and something only she can control. Put her in clothing she can easily get on and off. Get her some "big girl" underwear. If you notice that she is doing the "potty dance" say to her "It looks like you need to use the bathroom." Let it go there. The ball is now in her court. If she soils herself, say to her "It looks like you need to change." She can remove the wet clothing, wash the clothing and herself, put the clothing in the laundry, put on dry clothing, and clean up any mess. It will take a few tries but she will soon learn that it is much easier to use the bathroom. Be patient. Good luck!

Answer 2

My son was the same way. What I did was we spent a whole week at home. We went nowhere, I know this may not work for some people so just follow my advice whenever you are home. I put the potty chair right in the living room, you should put it wherever you spend the most time. Then I stripped him down and he spent the entire day naked! He had accidents on the floor so He would have to help me clean it up and we would put any waste in the potty chair. I then told him that he has to go in the potty and then he won't have to clean up the mess. He was potty trained by day 3. I should add that he still wore his training pants during naps and bedtime that week.

Answer 3

Kids often do stuff for others they won't do for mom and dad. My daughter cried when I introduced the big girl pants rather than diapers because she still wanted to be the baby. We are potty training right now also. What helps:
1. She has a small brightly colored potty that she likes to sit on.
2. She has Dora the Explorer pull-ups that she enjoys.
3. I try to make her clothes each day easy to get in and out of.
4. We have books that we read about potty training, like the book Once Upon A Potty.

Answer 4

I found the perfect way to potty train almost any child. Buy a large see through jar with a lid. Fill the jar with small Pieces of Candy so it can be seen (jelly beans work best) . Sit the jar in a place that will remind the child that this is important. Tell the child that every time he/she uses the potty he/she can have two or three pieces of candy. Do not let the child have the candy unless it actually uses the potty and do not use it as a treat for any other reason. Do not allow the child to have any other candy until he/she has succeeded in potty training. This is a perfect way to see how much candy the child is eating and keeps it to a limit also.

Answer 5

Ok I disagree with just about everyone that has replied that girl is potty trained she is just being stubborn and for some reason knows that you won't make her go. I say a little bit of positive with a pop in between will help but the best thing is stay consistant everytime same thing period if she sees any wiggle room she will wiggle. My son is 2 1/2 and did the same with us so about 3 months ago we just had to be sturn and very matter of fact and he is now 100% potty trained (boo-boo and at night) He has been for about 1 1/2 months and now theres no turning back now (thank God!!)

Answer 6

Take the potty put of the bathroom. I have a hallway near mine, so that's where I put the potty. he had to leave the room , so at the same time got used to getting up and going, he wasn't alone in the bathroom, and didnt need anyone to follow. Sorry to be negative, but maybe you shouldnt have waited that long. My son was fully trained at 1 1/2. He still wears a pullup at night, but is usually dry when he wakes up.

Let her wear undies, and let her pick them put herself so she can like them and wont want anything to happen to them. (like be wet or dirty) Dont reward her everytime she goes potty, at least not with gifts, give her encouragement and tell her she's doing a good job and your proud of her. If all else fails, ask your babysitter what is she doing.

Answer 7

consistency, consistency, consistency.
1. Take her to the potty every single day at the same times every like when she wakes up every morning. After breakfast, after lunch and supper. Take her to the potty before she goes to bed at nite every single nite. Be consistent
2. Praise her for a job well done and do not scold her for accidents. Praise her everytime.
3. Explain in simple terms what is expected of her and why such as go to the big potty so we may go outside and play.
4. When she wets, make her tidy up and change her own clothes and underwear. Everytime,
5. If you have diapers in the house, get rid of them, so she knows she cant use them anymore. Explain to her she don't have anymore diapers so she can potty like a big girl. Do not diaper her for your own convenience. You must be consistent
6. when you go to potty, take her with you so she can sit on her potty chair and go too.
Make it a mom and daughter affair.
7. show her the toilet paper and how great it is to use it. Buy the kind that smells good.
8. be patient. She cant wet her pants for ever. although I thought my own daughter would. She is now 18 and fully potty trained HAHAHA!!!!
9. GOOD LUCK.

Answer 8

let the subject drop for now. Move her potty chair where she can see it all the time play room family room etc. watch what happens she will naturally begin to use the potty. make sure she has on regular panties at home no pull ups or diapers in the day time this worked for my daughter who was potty trained then was in an accident and had to re learn almost everything it only took a couple of weeks of soggy panties for her to get the idea

Answer 9

To start with taking out matters like thomas and chocolate will not be the best way, you ought to reward if these are things he already will get you both provide extra or provide whatever else. You do not force potty training he'll do it when he's competent. But a tip for what I did with my son used to be draw a monster face on a peice of toilet paper and lay it in the bathroom and instructed him to sink the monster .. And when he used to be achieved i'd replace so it might be there when ever he went.. Excellent good fortune

Answer 10

My daughter did the same thing with me; I finally kept the potty chair in the bathroom, and each time I went to the bathroom, I would put her on her potty chair too. Eventually, she gave in and started using the potty chair consistently. Be patient, and consistent, you'll win eventually. Another thing I did was to take her shopping for panties, and let her pick out the ones she liked; this made for feel proud and she enjoyed wearing her pretty panties instead of a diaper. Good luck!