What can I do for my son to re-potty train???

Question

My two (three on January 11th) year old son was doing great with potty training even at night, and he just stopped recently for no reason. He was down to having maybe one accident a week, now he almost never goes in the toilet. He has had no trauma, or anything new happen. I am at my wits end...........Help!!! What can or should I do. I have tried positive reinforcement, as well as punishment...... I'm so confused......

Answer 1

There may be other reasons he's stopped using the toilet. There is a lot of important information at this site, and some ideas I hadn't thought of -- way too much information to list here!

http://pottytrainingsolutions.com/information/regression.htm

It's important not to punish him or react in a critical, negative manner regarding his accidents. It's going to be frustrating, and can take a long time, but he will eventually succeed (and so will you)!

Answer 2

My daughter did the exact same thing!! I found that positive reinforcement worked better than negative. I usually gave her a sticker when she succeeded, and when she didn't I reminded her that she could get a sticker if she went in the toilet. Another thing that helps is having her in an environment that really encourages pottying with other children her age. Our daycare is really good and encourages the kids to potty train. Also, I never put her in diapers or pull-ups, except at night. I think that as they get older and smarter, they realize that the diaper keeps the pee off of their skin, so what do they care?? My daughter is only 27 months old and she stays dry all day including nap time!

Answer 3

Don't use pull-ups, diapers, training pants etc at all, even at night.Go through all the steps again from the beginning.He may have a fear that your not aware of so make the potty safe to him again by reading books etc.Reintroduce all things with the potty.Talk to him about all the times he has used the potty and how proud you are of him for the time he used the potty.This is not uncommon.He may even have a new fear like being scared of the dark, water, loud sounds ( like the toilet flushing) etc...that would cause him to do this.He may be having separation anxiety from you or home and trying to stay "needy" or baby-like, He may notice he is getting bigger and growing up and be scared of whats ahead and trying to stay in diapers etc.There are lots of reasons.I know it is frustrating just hang in there, be a support for him.Ask him the fear questions etc.He should be fine in a month or so.Potty training too young also causes this and it isn't uncommon.If nothing has changed after these suggestions talk to your childs ped. and go from there.Good Luck!

Answer 4

Try not to make big deal out it as hard as that is to do. Punishment is definately not the thing to do, but positive reinforcement is - and positive reinforcement can be as simple as an "Im so proud of you. You are really growing up" with a hug and kiss. Sometimes children regress because look at all the attention he is getting ~ whether positive or negative. His has found a way to grab your attention. If he really knew what to do before, he will do it again. Is there a new baby in the family (even extended family, neighbor) that is getting attention?

Answer 5

Please do not punish him. Some children will regress for reasons unknown. What may seem like no trauma to us may be just the opposite for the child. Maybe the toilet started looking scary to him. Some do not like to see the toilet flushed. Some do not like to see something that has come out of their body only to be flushed away. Just keep praising him, maybe make a chart and let him put a star for when he goes, or give him a special treat. Lots of hugs and encouragement or he will become very stubborn and not want to if he associates punishment with going to the toilet. Take him underwear shopping too.

Answer 6

My son did the same exact thing. I have talked to other mothers and they said they went through it too. What I did.... I got these big paper blue stars and put them next to the toilet. (First of all I made him wear underwear all t he time and NO diapers, no matter the mess). I would put double stick tape on the back and said he could put them anywhere in the house if he went. He first would go when I took him( about every hour I would see if he had to go).. Then he started going on his own. He did however have accidents with poop. After a few, he FINALLY went all the time. It took time but now he's doing absolutely great.

Good luck!

Answer 7

This could be a medical problem or an emotion problem or maybe you are the one that was trained and not your son. Ease up on the reininforcement and punishment. Try making a game out of it where he get a star or a treat when he does good or loses a star or a treat when he doesn`t. GOOD LUCK

Answer 8

Just calm down. and slow down. He wil not be in diapers when he's 16.

Start a sticker chart for positive reinforcement. For every row filled give him a treat...grapes, fruit snacks something small. When he fills a whole card tell him he gets a big gift at walmart.

Answer 9

No way you can help him. I actually pissed in my pants until I was like 5 or something (I'm 15 now). But one day it just stopped. So just put on a night diaper or clean up his pee every night. The only problem it has is that your son will be the butt of pee jokes among his friends. Hahaha..But that stops too so never mind.

Answer 10

Try putting cheerios in the potty and tell him to try and "get them"...you know what I mean. Make a game out of it, he'll love it.

www.sanemommy.com