HELP!!! I have tried everything and nothing works on the potty training.?

Question

My 3 1/2 yr. old does not want anything to do with the potty. I have tried everything, and I mean everything. Since my daughter has been born, he has reverted back instead of moving forward. What can I do???

Answer 1

Try toilet targets. My son was the same way. I started tossing Cherios in the toilet and telling him to shoot the targets. It became a game and he loved going potty! He'd take several Cherios with him each time he need to go.

It helped in public places to because instead of saying "I need to go pee pee" he'd say "mommy, time for target practice." It was our little game and he stopped going in his pants.

Answer 2

I know exactly where you are coming from. My daughter is also 3 1/2 years old. I had gotten her about half way potty trained, and then after I had my baby she wanted to go back to wearing diapers and being treated like a baby. So then I had 3 in diapers! I was desperate and felt like nothing was working. Then I got some advice from my step-mom. This is what she said to do. Tell your child that you are going to have an underwear day, then choose a day to start it on and have a count down to that day. Like "3 more days until underwear day." Then the day before take them to the store and let them pick out any underwear that they want. Then when they wake up the morning of underwear day, take them in the bathroom and put them on the toilet and have them go. Then say "it's underwear day" and put the underwear on them. Then every two hours take them in and put them on the potty. Meanwhile if they have an accident they are the one that has to change themselves. Have plenty of clean underwear and pants in their dresser drawer for them. Tell them they can't be involved in the activity they were doing until they are changed. And every time they go in the potty give them big hugs and give them lots of verbal encouragement "what a big boy you are, great job!" But avoid bribing them with candies and things. And make sure every time before you go out to have them use the potty, and make sure you know where public restrooms are along the way and have a change of clothes with you. I did all of these things, and suprisingly it worked, she still has maybe 2 accidents a day. And sometimes when it's been a while since she's gone I'll have to remind her. But she hasn't had one accident at night yet, which is the most suprising to me. Good luck!

Answer 3

This I knowm from a mother of 5 sons. With all of my boys which I am starting to do with my 2 year old now, is I let them walk around in big boy underware and only have them where diapers when you go out or at bed time, other wise strictly underware. I all so make a game out of it. You can put cheerios into the toilet and tell him that they are targets and can you hit the target with your pee. Some stores all so have bio dagradible paper targets that you put into the potty chair and have him aim. give him a certain number of points for every target he hits, and when he gets a certain amount of points, he gets a reward for it. Between the two of you you can discuss the point system and the rewards he will get. ANd don't forget to praise him everytime you see him go. Tell him yeah what a good boy, lets call daddy and tell daddy, and maybe you and him can have a little party for him going on the potty. Make a big deal out of it and you will see him being trained in no time at all. This is what I have done, and am doing with my son who just turned 2 the end of august. Believe me it works, at least with my sons it does. they where all trained between 2-2 and a half years of age.

Answer 4

A lot of children regress with the birth of a sibling. They feel the baby is getting all of the attention. Try spending as much time with your son as you can. Hug him often and tell him how much you love him.Cuddle him a lot. When you are holding the baby, ask your son to sit beside you so he won't feel left out. He'll soon see that you love him just as much as you did before the baby was born. Then you can start working again on the potty training. I hope this helps.

Answer 5

My two youngest both had training issues. The middle was still having trouble into her 7th year. Sometimes they just don't want to take the time and sometimes they are scared. My boy was scared. We got one of those smaller training potties and it solved his issues. He even learned how to dump the container into the bigger toilet. This made him feel special, so we didn't discourage it, just made sure he had supervision and washed up after.

I also know that with my middle child, it was our fault just as much as hers. Wanted her to learn, but didn't have time to really give her the caring support she needed. You might be in the same situation. You may not realize it, but from the child's point of view, you no longer are as available. Good potty training takes the full attention of one adult, 24-7 for a good week or two especially with resistant children. With a baby, you can't accomplish that. Is there another adult that can help? It's probably not a job for you spouse as both of you need to give each other support with the baby.

I know a lot of people go into the 'jealous' issues, but from my experience, not only as a Mom, but a midwife, I don't agree. Kids haven't had enough experience to be 'jealous' until you give them a reason to be jealous. In other words, jealousy is learned when the child experiences a failure of a parent to be available due to another child being attended to. Yes, all those 'learned' 'professionals' might disagree with me. From my own experience and the continued success I have with my own three, I'll keep to my conclusions. The answer is to make sure your children know, with out question that an adult is there for them and will always love them, even when they aren't doing want you want them to.

Answer 6

A lot of kiddos feel "wobbly" on the toilet because their feet don't touch the ground...even if it is a potty seat, there is still a hole there and it's uncomfortable for them. Try putting him on a big person potty and have him sit backwards, facing the tank. Put something on both sides for him to steady himself....slip a plastic grocery bag on the lid of the toilet and give him some markers. He will feel better knowing he is steady, and the drawing on the plastic bag will help pass the time pleasantly while he is trying to "produce".

Answer 7

I have heard of many kids wanting to be back in diapers after the new baby comes along. First of all be patient, then maybe try to offer him a toy or something he wants if he uses the potty and dont give it to him till he holds his end of the bargain.

Answer 8

are you using a small potty for potty training? or are you using a step to sit on the regular toilet? maybe you should try the step... ive never seen any kid trained on a potty training thing... i think it give them more of an idea of what happens after you flush and all that than to just have to remove the little tray

Answer 9

Since their is a new baby in the house it is normal for them to go backwards instead of forwards. There really isn't to much for you to do besides make sure you still show him a lot of love and attention. He is no longer the only one in the house. So he wants your attention even though it is negative he still wants it and this is one way to get it. Just be patient and try understanding.

Answer 10

Put your foot down and make him WANT to be a big boy who looks after his baby sister and mommy, not a baby himself. He's the little man and little men use the potty. Turn him into mommy's helper and he may want to grow up. He's just got baby jealousy right now. Make him see the joy of NOT being the baby.

Answer 11

Sounds like he's jealous of his baby sister, and the time you have to spend with her...he's feeling left out and this is his way of showing you he's angry. Try making a little more time for him(I know thigns are hectic)...make him feel like a big brother. Then try the reward system every time he goes in the potty liek a *** boy.