Advanced, but won't poopoo on the potty???

Question

My son is 2 1/2. I know he's really smart for his age, and his Dr. has even commented that he is way ahead of himself cognitively. He's known all his colors since he was 2, can count to 20, spells his name, knows the alphabet (he skips a few,I think efg and qrs), recognizes 1-10, most letters, and can count items up to 20.
My question is, if he's picking up this stuff so quickly, why won't he potty train? At 18 months, he used the potty for the first time, and now a year later has no intrest. I've never "pushed" it, because I know that can delay him. But how do I get him interested? How come he's so advanced everywhere else, but not with the potty? I feel like I'm going to be changing diapers forever! I even put the potty in the living room where he spends all his time, and he'll sit in the potty with the top down and go in his diaper. Then I took his diaper off and let him run around, and when he peed on himself, he freaked! Any suggestions????

FYI There is no daddy. I'm a single mother and his father doesn't come around at all. It's just me and Isaac in the house. When we visit my father, he lets him go in the bathroom with him, but it's not a consistant thing. We only visit every 2 weeks or so.

Answer 1

Don't use diapers or pull-ups. Use only training underwear which are usually a thicker undie. When he has to feel the discomfort of the movements he will go to the potty.
Take him to the potty at regular intervals. Use a timer to begin with. Then take him to the bathroom and make him go through the motions of using the potty. He will soon learn that he must stop what he is doing to use the bathroom.

When he actually uses it; you can reward him with a sticker for a sticker book that you get him ahead of time. Allow him to have certain stickers for trying , others for #1 , and the best ones for #2.

Stop chasing him around the house with the toilet. The poor kid is going to develop a phobia. Also, use the big toilet.

Although he is quite bright he still has alot to learn. Can he tell you what sound each letter makes if you say the sound first and ask him which letter?

Can he comprehend the numbers? Does he know that 3 and 2 make 5 . Will he recognize the groupings if it is regrouped into 4 and 1 item? Etc...

In any event one thing has absolutely nothing to do with the other. One is mimicing the other actually requires him to make decisions and to take an appropriate action.

Be consistent. It doesn't matter what he did in the past at 18 months. What you are working with is his ability at this moment.

Good Luck! Your doing a great job by exhausting all avenues.

Answer 2

Even though he seems advanced with verbal and counting skills- doesn't mean hes going to be advanced with everything else. Boys generally take a longer time to potty train than girls for some reason. I wouldn't worry about 2 1/2 year old not getting the potty thing yet. It sounds like you are doing all the right things as far as getting him interested, but he just isn't ready yet. Give it another 6 months to a year, then I'd start to worry if he is still not getting it. Dont worry, he isn't going to be in diapers forever! (have you tried using the diapers that cause the cold sensation when wet? also, bribery with treats and little toys when successful with the potty might help) Good luck

Answer 3

I had a heck of a time with my two kids at about that age...I even had to give my daughter an enema once because she held it in so long she was actually walking bow-legged. Finally I would just have them sit on thier little potty chair and give them a book (or I did the living room thing too, let them watch TV) I even bribed them with treats or small gifts if they did a "poopy in the potty". Eventually it WILL happen, both my kids were about 3 when they really got the hang of it, plus I have babysat LOTS of kids and they were all about the same age too! I know it is a battle and I am glad my kids are way past that age. Good luck to you!!

Answer 4

because he's so advanced, like my 19 mos old, he's pretty much just playing you, seeing how far he can go. My son is very indendent and refuses to do some things that I know he can do.
Your little one is probably just being stubborn and manipulative, but that just means you got a lot of good (some bad) things to look forward to later on in life.

I toss a few cheerios, applejacks, or w/e in the toliet and let him aim (we're still using the small potty chair) but he loves it, and is a perfect shot every time. My mom taught me that, she also taught me to, try letting him run around nude, or just in undies/diaper for a few minutes at a time, a few times a day, and keep asking if he needs to pee and keepp taking him into the bathroom. Let daddy at it too, see how he does with ONLY daddy in the room, Fathers and sons share a bond and sometimes all it takes is something he can relate to and understand.

Don't let him know you're frusturated, and do not treat him like a baby, talk to him in bigger people's words, like tell him what he "has" (if ya know what I mean) and tell him what it's for, get him used to the idea, he'll love that he can be a big boy like daddy, believe me.

Answer 5

No matter how advanced he is with his other skills it is totally normal for boys to have a difficult time potty training. My best friend couldn't get her son fully potty trained until he was 4. Try using incentive. I use sugar free candies with my daughter and it works really well. I only let her have candy for going on the potty and special occasions.

Answer 6

From experience with intelligent toddlers, this is the most confusing part of learning for them. It is almost like they are afraid of loosing a part of them. He will do it when he is ready! That is the best advice I can give you. My daughter was the quickest of my children. The guys well, they took awhile. One was as late as 3 and 1/2 years old. So, give it time. Here is a web-site that might help out.

Answer 7

I think Isaac is just a bright child and with some more effort put in by you, he will definitely learn. Maybe your mode of teaching doesn't "guide" him.

Thanks for the (in)valuable and (in)sane advice, btw.

Answer 8

I agree with using the cereal or other objects he can aim at. Worked with my first son, still working on my toddler. He might be pushing away from you, being stubborn or independent, or he might just not get it, or even wanna do it. Keep at.

Answer 9

tell him that inorder to be a big boy he needs to go all the time on the potty. also make a chart for every time he goes potty put on a stiker and if he has 5,10,20.ect. stickers tell him that he can get a treat from the store.
-hope you make it through

Answer 10

jesus AVA it's not a competition to see who's damn kid is smarter.... she's adding facts to her question so people can understand where she's coming from. i really bet your son did geography and square routes at age 3. i can't stand people like you. your saying she's in a rush to "prove how advanced he is" but your the one who felt the need to add your ridiculous facts about your kid. your kids are grown, let her have her her freaking moment for god's sake!
how's the gay hubby doing?


Buffalogirl: girl, don't worry. your son's smart. usually when a child advances in certain areas, they spend so much time focusing on that, that they lack interest in other areas. keep up the good work, he'll be potty trained soon. I'd rather my kid be smart and potty train later rather than vice versa. ignore ignoramuses like AVA, i know what you mean.
if it really bothers you, talk to his dr about it. you'll see, he's completely normal :)
good luck!