Potty Training question...I'm a little worried...?

Question

My son is going to be 3 in March and although I've tried to encourage him to use the potty he wants nothing to do with it. I'll keep his diaper off and he'll just pee on the floor, almost like he doesn't realize he was going. When I sit him on the toilet or try to get him to sit on his potty chair he'll sit there a few seconds and then beg to get down. I don't want to pressure him too much, I've heard it causes psychological problems, but so does waiting too long. Any suggestions or advice?

He's due for a baby brother at the end of this month, I don't want to put too much stress on him. Wanting him to use potty and a new brother, what do I do?

Answer 1

i would give it a little more time,,,, my daughter mastered it right after 3 years old,,,,,, it was hit and miss before then, if you havent, get him some of the pull-up diapers, that way if he makes it to the chair, fine, if he doesnt, fine, i would use these until age 3, then move into regular "big boy" underwear continue to encourage him to use the potty chair, in fact, to solve the begging to get down thing,,,, get a inexpensive kitchen timer, set it in the bathroom, when you put him on the chair, set it for two minutes,, that is his time to sit,,,,, praise him when he stays without begging to get down, also, get a little music box, or a special book, to be used/played only when he is on his potty chair, just little things that might encourage him to stay there, eventually when he stays there, he will go there, of course, watching for signs he needs to go, and putting him there, is a big part of it, most toddlers do their "poop" in the chair, before they master the "pee" in it , after 3,, maybe on his birthday, make a big production of how he is a big boy now, goodbye diapers, hello underwear, etc,

Answer 2

I wouldn't worry too much, but with a second child arriving very soon, you may want to lay off the training for a few weeks. There is going to be chaos in your house after the baby comes home. Let your son get settled with the new baby first then start with the training again. My son just turned 2 and isn't ready to train yet, but my nephew wasn't out of diapers until he was 3 1/2, and actually there isn't any real concern that he mayby delayed until age 4 or so I have read and been told. So long as he is potty trained and out of diapers during the day once he starts school there is no problems. My other nephew is about to turn 2 next month and is already starting to give signs that he will be ready soon. He tells his mom "icky" when his diaper is dirty so he already know that he doesn't like the feeling, my son on the other hand, the dirtier the better, he just doesn't seem to care yet, but I will be buying him a potty for christmas if no one else does, just so that it is around when he is ready and so he gets acoustomed to it being in the bathroom. I have heard as well that for boys it also helps if he goes into the bathroom with daddy and sees what to do, but that doesn't help in the beginning because most men don't go sitting down unfortunately(and we have to clean up their little mess). Try making a game out of it, give rewards like a sticker if he is interested in them, or a special visit to grandparents for going a whole week, once he gets started that is. Also you can speak to your doctor if you are still concerned, but again I would take a break for now, then try again after everyone gets back into their routines after the new baby comes home.

Good luck to you and your son and congratulations to the new addition.

Answer 3

He will learn when he is ready. Undue pressure will only make the process more frustrating. However, try making it fun. If he is peeing in the floor when he doesn't have a diaper, try taking him outside and tell him to see if he can aim at and hit leaves and things. Reward him for going on the toilet or potty chair. Really praise him when he tries whether he is successful or not. In my experience boys are harder to train than girls anyway, but when you add in the fact that you are expecting another baby soon you just compounded the issue. He knows a baby is coming and his resistance to potty train may be his own little way to hang onto your attention for a little while longer. Talk to him about how important the job of "Big Brother" is and how much you are going to depend on him for his help. Then work on him showing you how "big" he is getting to be by continuing to praise his potty efforts. In the meantime just remember you are the only one in a rush to make this happen, he doesn't see what the big deal is. And who cares what other people say. If anyone is telling you that your child needs to be potty trained or that their child was trained long before this point, I say so what...goody for them and every child is different and there is nothing I have seen written anywhere providing a timeline for these things. You will be fine and so will he. Just be patient.

Answer 4

I have 3 boys. From experience I find boys are just generally "late" when it comes to this department. 3 is not too late and be prepared that when you work hard and finally have success, that new baby will arrive and your tot will decide he still wants to be the babe. Don't give up but be consistent. Try real undies (the cartoon type) not the pull on kind of diaper (unless you are out in public). Be prepared for accidents but take him to the loo every 30 minutes. Lose the potty chair but use the seat part on the big toilet. Have him watch daddy AND you. Let him flush all the time saying bye-bye. If he likes picture books, sit in the bathroom while he's on the pot and read to him. Or give him a book to look at, one small enough to fit in his lap. Let him pee outside. We made a game with our youngest (who is now only 4)...it's called one, two....peeeee or one, two pooooo. It's like a race to start. Good luck!!

Answer 5

Like you said,dont pressure him.Wait a few months after the baby is born then try.You dont want to try then back to diapers then try and back to diapers.That is very confusing for him.He will pee on the floor and possibility on your furniture but that is life.Next time do not put the diaper on him once you take it off.My lil one was toliet train by 22 months and is 2 now(just had his bday 3 days ago).Took him a little over 2 1/2 weeks.I just threw the diapers away and put underwear on him.He had accidents but they all do.And your lil one does not know he is doing wrong by peeing on the floor.Thats someting you have to teach him.He could be a fast trainer or it could take a few months for him to catch on.You have to be persisted and once again never put a diaper on him once you start.Cant tell him its wrong to use the bathroom in his diaper when thats what he`s been doing for almost 3 years.Good luck.

Answer 6

Well, age 3 for a boy is pretty normal. And if you try to make him do it now and baby brother comes, he'll probably regress. You might want to wait until baby is born and big brother is use to him. He'll do it when he's ready and if you get tired of it, well, this is just a suggestion...

Keep him in undies and when he pees or poos, make him clean himself up. If he's making a mess and you're cleaning it up for him, he'll think it's ok because mommy takes care of it. After a couple times of him seeing how hard it is to clean it up, he'll decide he's better off going in the potty. It worked for my friend who's 3y/o daughter was nearly refusing to potty train. I suggested it and she was reluctant, but after 2x, her daughter was done! Should you decided to go that route...don't do it right before you're walking out the door. Chances are he'll make a bigger mess than you can imagine. Stick him in the bathtub with wipes, or whatever, and let him go for it. My friend said she wanted to scrub down her daughter with bleach when it was over but it worked. It's a disgusting mess. Be prepared, but if it's your last resort, it'll be worth it! Good luck and congrats on the new little one.

Answer 7

I worked in a Montessori school with 2-3 year-olds and potty-trained a whole class (8 kids) full of boys. My secret? Put them in "big-boy" pants, NO PULL-UPS. They feel it when they pee in cloth underoos and after a few uncomfortable experiences with this, they begin to make the connection. Pull-ups are the enemy because the kid can't feel when they're wetting. Especially when they're close to three. Also, I know what you're saying about pressure, but kids respond to choices and consequences. Put him on the potty and make it clear that he either sits and tries to go or he wears a diaper and doesn't get a certain privilege, his choice. It sounds harsh, but that's the way life goes. Also keep in mind that he's probably testing your boundaries since he's getting a new brother.

Answer 8

Leave him alone. He isn't ready to potty train. He's only three years old..."waiting too long" would be if he was in highschool and I've never known any child to start school in diapers.

Answer 9

I wouldn't worry too much...I have two of my own children and have taken care of MANY other children over the past 10 years...almost every one of them were about 3 and 1/2 years old before they really got the "potty" thing going on...some even later. Good luck!!

Answer 10

My son who is 2yrs and 3mths is peeing using toilet. At 1st he is scare and like you say will not sit long on the toilet. I very tired at 1st when you want to train toddler to potty training but you must have patient. What i do is i don't like him wear pamper and at 1st every hour you must bring him to toilet and when you put him on it, talk to him like why he is sitting on toilet. So when he pee in the toilet , clap your hands and say good boy. My sons pees 5 times on the floor during training times and he will say, mum mum floor wet wet. Haha... Some toddler needs long times but what you need is patient.