Potty Training Challenge?

Question

I cannot get one of my 4 yr old triplets (boy) to poop on the toilet, while his brother and sister are completely potty trained. I know every child is different... boy, do I know! Any other parents out there that can give me some ideas thru their experiences with this issue? Thanks!

Answer 1

Ask him why he doesn't want to poop on the toilet!!

My son was amazing at sinking the cheerios but when it came to poops, he was very possessive with them. I asked him why he always knew when it was time to peepee but didn't seem to be able to not have an accident when it was poop time and he looked up and said "oh, I know when I have to poop but I like the way they feel when they come out in my pants". He also told us he kind of liked the smell and when he put it in the toilet, it didn't smell.

That was an answer I just didn't expect *lol*

I explained to him that pooping in the toilet was way better because after he pooped, he could look down and see if it was a special one. That got him interested and, after each poop for about a month, we'd peer into the bowl and try to see if it looked like something or if it was a smoothie or chunkie.... conversations you'd never think you'd have unless you're a parent.

My oldest son found his poops gross and couldn't wait to get rid of them so I hadn't expected the youngest to be so in love with his but he was a proud and possessive li'l pooper *lol*

Answer 2

Lots of encouragement and patience :).

I think it would also help if he watched his brother and his dad going poop too. My middle child was much faster than his older brother because I think he watched his brother go to the bathroom himself.

Here is more help with you are facing difficulties:

While a child is in training for using a baby potty, a number of family/home reasons can cause difficulties in the child’s progress in internalizing the habit. Many psychological setbacks are felt by the baby arising in home or school. For example there is divorce, the birth of a new baby in the home, a change of daycare teacher or even classroom etc. With patient and caring effort on the parents’ side, the baby potty training can be completed successfully. Remember not to increase the child’s stress by being harsh or punitive towards him/her.

It is natural for anyone to lose motivation for doing an activity once it is mastered. The spirit of adventure flies away to some other activity. This is what happens most of the time when the child loses interest in his/her baby potty. The child shows more interest in new things and games. It is important to stay calm and gently lead the child to the potty. Another reason why a child is reluctant to leave his game/activity and attend the potty is fear of losing all or part of the game. Use reassurance to counter the little one’s fear and guide him to the potty. This might require much patience.

Several other reasons account for a child’s reluctance about going to a baby potty. He/she might be suffering constipation; be afraid of the flushing sound or falling down into the potty; feeling uncomfortable on the potty etc. Track what is causing the problem and remedy it. The potty training stage, especially at the later time, is a child’s point of personal development when he/she acts willful. This self-assertion can be coped with in a couple of ways. One way is to let the child do as he/she wills. Don’t force or even instruct him/her to go to the potty. Let him/her use it when needed. Secondly, you might tell the child that he/she can go to the potty by him/herself since you are busy. This insinuates the idea that he/she needs to use the potty.

As adults you are responsible for providing the best training to our child. While teaching your baby using a baby potty, remember that children are not given to following strict timings and deadlines like grown ups. Be flexible in allowing the time they need to progress. Don’t take failure of the child with potty as anything deliberate. The child is innocent and not responsible for the failure. Take care to provide all the conditions, such as easy-to-remove clothing and a comfortable potty to help your baby successfully use a potty.

Good Luck!

Answer 3

Don't shame him into it...be sure you're giving him the same attention you give the others...otherwise he'll grab the attention (negative though it be) by continuing to not go on the toilet. As you've already heard...keep it light...make it a fun activity. Reward him also with your time...one of three...your time is spread pretty darn thin. At this stage I'd say it's up to him to decide that he wants it enough. You've done well, you've gotten two others potty trained--great job. Hang in there the third one will come around -- when he decides it's time...gonna have to watch that one :)

Answer 4

Patience is the key! Make sure you reward him if he does so, and also make it sound like a great thing to do. I know it sounds weird but the more you fantasize about how great it is, the more he will want to do it. "Pooping on the potty is sooo fun! Plus, if you do it, you get a new toy!"

Answer 5

It took awhile for my son to figure it out, too. Finally I let him sit in a poopy diaper for awhile before I changed it, just a few times, and talked with him about the icky feeling and smell. He finally caught on and now is fine. Patience is key, it will happen. Good luck!

Answer 6

if it was peeing promble I would say put a cheero in the pottie and thell them to shoot for it. but poop is another thing

Answer 7

This sounds really cheezy, but it worked with my daughter. Tell him you want to hear how big his "splash" is. (You know, when the poop hits the water). Kids think it is so cool.

Answer 8

Tell him big boys poo in the toliet just like his brother and sister. Reward him after he does it

Answer 9

put fruit loops (or something to grab their attention) in the toilet and have them aim for the little holes......make a game out of it and they will want to do it.

Answer 10

patience, patience, patience! good luck