My son is four and I can't get him potty trained, I have tired everything, please help me, any ideas?

Answer 1

I agree with those who responded with a "no pressure" answer. I have three boys; all of them had their own timing. My youngest just turned four and has finally decided he was ready. Although, we still wear nighttime pants because it takes longer for them to gain control during the sleep cycle. My oldest was potty trained at just under three years, and my middle son was three and a half. Don't sweat the small stuff. And, please don't make a big deal of it to your son. He'll resist and it'll take longer to get the job done. Personally, I'm not into reward and punishment when it comes to this subject. I've had three boys with three different personalities and this approach has worked for me every time.

Answer 2

Don't sweat the small stuff. This is something we all get the hang of sooner or later.

Do not pressure. Praise, but do not reward. Understand, but do not punish. The more you push the more stress you both will have.

Go over all the things necessary. Show him how its all done, ask if he has to go. Try letting him make some "big boy decisions". Such as do you want to try the potty chair? If the answer is no, leave it at that, and try again in an hour or so. You can ask if he wants to sink the rings, but don't waste money on the toilet targets just use Cheerios or fruit loops they break down much faster and look at all you get in a box.

Let him run around with regular underwear on. Let him be the one to pick them out in the store. He will get the hint sooner or later.

There are videos out there on this subject. I bought one and to an adult they are very odd, but the songs were catchy to my son. But they really didnt encourage him to use the potty.

Daycare is wonderful in aiding the potty training, the peer pressure is what was the last factor in my sons training. He seen that other kids got to go on the potty, but he had to be changed like the babies. He didnt want to be associated with the babies now that hes a big boy. My son was 3.

It seems like forever, when you are ready for them to be potty trained. But in looking back, it was only 2 months times.

My son is 5 1/2 now. He is fully trained. He wears no pull ups at night either. His last accident at night was maybe 1 1/2 years ago. But that was more my fault than his.

Never ever wake a child after bed time to use the bathroom. That starts a routine you do not want to get in the habit of. Just cut off liquid time an hour or so before bed time.

Good luck

Answer 3

My boys were tons harder to potty train than the girls!

Put him in underwear. Best time to potty train, I think, is in the summer. Buy lots and lots of underwear and shorts. Right now most shorts should be on clearance, or you can pick them up really cheap at rummage sales. Also, buy plastic pants (underwear covers). You don't want something running down his leg, and it'll help protect the floor & the carpets.

Have him go to the bathroom to potty every hour. Also have him go potty with his father, or another father figure. Boys learn to be big boys, by who they look up to as a father figure.

Buy some stickers of characters that he likes, and keep track of his good deeds on a piece of paper. I taped a piece on the back of the bathroom door, so he could keep track and admire his accomplishments while he was in there.

I always rewarded my boys with matchbox cars when they pooped. Hey, 50 cents a car was still cheaper than pullups! And, not to mention, I'd rather hear a little boy playing with a car, then hear one say he needs to be cleaned up! They were more apt to try pooping in the toilet, once they knew what they could earn too.

I also need to totally mention that no matter what - POSITIVE REINFORCEMENT is what is best. When he has an accident, just be calm, clean him up, and remind him that he's learning and he can keep trying. Also, catch him when you think he's going to poop. We all know what that looks like!

If he goes to daycare, make sure that they are doing the same system, and that they are also using positive reinforcement. My son went to a day care where they did not use positive reinforcement. Instead, they made him feel bad & embarrassed when he had an accident, so he regressed more and more. Needless to say, he no longer goes to that day care center. After I found another daycare who was happy to help, he was fully potty trained in a short period of time.

Answer 4

Number one rule is: you can't force your child to be toilet trained if he doesn't want to do it.
don't push him, if he's not ready, he's not ready.

But here is some useful tips you can try.
Get him to make his own toilet training sticker chart. Everytime he sits on the toilet and does something, he can choose an sticker to put on the chart and one to put on himself. Kids love getting stickers. After 3 or 4 days if he has lots of sticker he can choose an in expensive item from a bag. In the bag you can put whatever the kid likes that doesn't cost very much - like a car, some crayons, books, train, etc... By giving him rewards ever so often you will reinforce him that toilet training is the way to go. Tell him also that you really like him when he uses the toilet and that he makes you very happy when you see him on the toilet. Give him lots and lots of praise, make him feel he's really special.

If you are using the potty, decorating the potty with stickers is a good way for the child to recognise and own the potty.

If he is already asking you to take himto the toilet but not doing anything, you should still praise him. But try and make going to the toilet a game, and let him flush - he will like it.

Sometimes keeping a few of his favourite books in the toilet helps him. Whilst sitting on the toilet he can read books to make it more fun.

Get him to choose a trainer seat and step for the toilet. Get some childrens style potty books, they don't cost very much. Plus if he see's other children using the potty or toilet he might be encouraged to do the same.

Huggies.com do a free potty cd. Just sign up and they will send you one. It has songs on it and has pictures of others on their potty's.

Even get him to choose his favourite childs handwash. I know these are expensive, but if you buy it once, then refil it with a cheaper brand he should never know the difference.

Please don't worry. There are children who go to school in trainer pants. Here in the UK most health visitors don't become worried until your child is around 6 or 7 years old.
It might be that your stress and worry is having an effect on him. If he's scared, worried, crying... leave the training for 2 months and then try again. often just having a break makes all the difference.

Answer 5

My son was 3 1/2 when he finally trained. Turns out one of the problems was that he didn't like briefs. I took him to the Disney Store and he picked out some boxer briefs with Buzz Lightyear on them. That helped a lot. We also used bribery! We created a chart, for evertime he used the potty he got a star, when it was filled, he got a new toy. Like a Superman figure (around $6). We put the potty chair in the kitchen (easy clean up on the tile floor, if his aim wasn't good). It really only took about 2 days of accidents, and he got the idea quick.

Answer 6

Ignore the ignorant answers on your questions!! Your son will train when he is ready! I'm a firm believer that you should never pressure when its potty training. He may not be ready yet. It all depends on when his body is right. Have you taught him how to go to the bathroom standing up? He could shoot at cereal! Try buying him some neat underwear with different characters on them. You have to buy lots though, because of how fast they can go through them. Give him lots of praise when he goes in the toilet, and just don't say anything when he has an accident besides " oh, you had an accident" It will all work out, if you still feel worried take him to the doctor. My younger sister wouldn't potty train, and it was because she had a problem with her bladder and had to have surgery, it wasn't because of anything else. Just be patient!!

Answer 7

I have read in a book that one thing they did is when it's time to take off the messy diaper, take the boy outside (backyard, private), get out the hose, and hose him clean. Cheerfully and pleasantly explain that he's a big boy now, he's too big for sissie wipes. C'mon now, it's not abuse- it's a bit of cold water. It's not pleasant, but it's an incentive to use the bathroom! My opinion is that there are two reasons why it's still continuing- either there is a medical problem and he should see the pediatrician, or there is some emotional gain from still using diapers. There could be many reasons- stress & trauma in the family (making babyhood a much more emotionally safe place to be, and/or the stress of changing to the potty too much stress), or changing diapers is rather pleasant experience, with a loving momma taking care of him, and talking to him, and paying attention to him- hey, why change over! Take away the emotional gain, and substitute a bigger emotional gain in using the potty. Anyways, I feel your pain- my boy is 3, he'll be 4 in Sep. and he's still wearing diapers at night and naptime. ARRRRRG. (Doctor says nighttime use at that age is rather normal though.)

Answer 8

My ex-wife used the Potty Training in One Day Method succesfully on the last 3 of out 5 kids.

Answer 9

You all are STUPID!!! Dont come on the board if your not going to give advice! You all must be kids!!! GO PLAY OUTSIDE!

AS for your question> I have a 3 1/2 year old son.He is semi potty trained.He understands BUT he only goes in the potty when he wants to.I have started the chart with stickers.everytime he goes he gets to pick out a sticker! He loves it! (sometimes) Buut most of the time it works..I have a potty chart in the main bathroom and everytime he goes he puts a sticker up. I prase him and tell him what a great job he is doing.NEVER,NEVER tell him he is a bad boy for making a mistake!!!!! Incorage him.Dont stress him out or yourself.It will make things worse...It is a daily battle but WE both will get through it.Good luck!!! :-)

Answer 10

You can do a lot of things, there are movies geared for potty training, or you can offer rewards. However, some toddlers may not learn until five years of age. Absolutely DO NOT punish them for not being potty trained. It could cause larger problems in their future. Toddlers' bodies cannot always maintain control over themselves. The child is NOT acting up. It is completely natural.