potty training in public...help!!!?

Question

My 2 year old is potty trained at home, always uses the potty, no problems etc..but when i have people over to my house, he just wont use the potty!! I have tried to put it in another room, so he wont be seen by my friends, but he just doesnt go on it!
He doesnt have tantrums or anything, he just goes for a wee-wee wherever he is, and then gets upset with himself.
When my friends have gone home, then he will happily start to use the potty again as usual..Anyone else had the same problem, or any useful tips on why this is happening, and how to overcome it??

When i say i have friends over to my house..i only mean one friend during the day for a coffe and chat...so its not like i am distracted or there are lots of people around.

He is a few months away from being 3, so i dont think its too early. He chose to start potty training, copying his older brother.

Answer 1

At 2 he is still an early age and there is plenty of time for him to gain his confidence about going when you have visitors.
Dont pressure him - he'll do it in his own time. If he does wet himself when you have visitors dont tell him off as this will make him feel even more insecure about the whole toilet thing.
dont talk about his 'toilet mishaps' when he is in earshot...
have you tried he good old sticker chart,? when he gets to a certain number of stars he can have a new toy, explan that he has to wee-wee on the potty ALL the time.
It may also be that when people are there he is distracted and just cant be bothered (my daughter was very lazy if she was having fun doing something else) and would wet instead of walking herself to the loo.
good luck - remember he is doing very well when nobody is there so remind him what a star he is then.....

Answer 2

Hi.
Do you think your son is just shy about having your friends over? Or nervous, etc? Or is it that he is just too busy and distracted with these friends being there to think about using the potty?
I'm sure you already look for signs of him needing to 'go' and remind him, or ask him if he needs the potty while friends visit.
Did you ever use a reward system while he was first potty training? Perhaps you could stick to having the potty somewhere private, like the bathroom and reintroduce rewards, such as stickers whenever he uses his potty while visitors are there. They say you arent ment to bribe children with sweets or chocolate - but I once potty trained a child using a small chocolate as the reward, and that worked rather well lol. Buut I would suggest stickers, or something to make him feel proud of himself rather than sweets or anything like that.

I am sure he will overcome this phase eventually, all children do :)
I think 2yrs old is young for being fully potty trained, especially for a boy, boys seem to be between 2 1/2 and 3 1/2 - Dont be upset if he has little setbacks like this, or if his potty training stage regresses for a short while as this can be common with children who are potty trained young.
Potty training can often be a see-saw - one day they seem to have cracked it and be dry all day, even a whole week lol and then suddenly they go back to wetting themselves.
Most important thing is to not worry, and be persistant. Obviously never make a big deal about 'accidents' just give extra praise and attention for when he makes the potty :)
He'll be fine, I am sure :)

Answer 3

2 years old can still be young for some children to potty train. I was patient with my son and he didn't fully potty train until he was 3. If you let your child know that it's ok and give them encouragement he will do it in his own time. Don't let him see you stress or that could cause him to feel like he's doing something wrong. Some people rush their children into potty training and it takes nearly as long as if you had just waited on them to do it. Most children become eager to train because they see their parents do it (or you should let them see you do it). It's like a cat teaching their kittens to use the litter box. Put the little potty next to the toilet and let him go when daddy goes or let her go when mommy goes. See if that helps. And if you're still unsure or having trouble ask the Pediatrician. They answer more types of questions than you ever could imagine. Ask them about some of the stuff I suggested.

Answer 4

he s nervous thats all and people being there changes his routine. you shouldnt take the potty out of the room when they are there as that disrupts him further and makes him think that there is a problem. ( it s the same as if you moved a cats litter tray, they get confused and pee everywhere) just relax, try to as much as possible,and act just the same as you always would if you didnt have visitors, and just a oh dear, never mind, if he has an accident. try to keep calm and not be embarrassed or stressed if it happens as he will pick up it and make the problem worse. dont worry, hell be fine and soon get used to the idea. maybe you should think about moving the potty up to the bathroom all the time, so that it isnt an issue, and let him use the bathroom to peee/poo. you could make the change by getting a step and toilet seat, and tell him now he s a big boy he can go on the big toilet.
i hope any of this is any help. im not trying to be patronising at all. i know how difficult it can be, believe me. i have just finished toilet training my 3 year old twins,and had the same problem with my son. he doesnt like change at all, so found it better when he started using the toilet as the only place to go. i will be starting again with my 20mth old pretty soon, so wish me luck....

Answer 5

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Answer 6

It sounds as if he has a complex about going on the potty in front of people - when I have visitors or family around I tell my daughter to go on the potty and I tell her if she does a wee-wee we will all clap and cheer - it works for my daughter - perhaps you just need to encourage him more and get your friends to do the same. It may just take a bit more time, he just seems a little shy at the moment but I am sure he will grow out of it.

Answer 7

Dont know why thats happening - when ur friends are over and he needs to use the potty pretend they are leaving, or have them walk in when hes on the potty - might work but i'm just guessing.

Answer 8

He is probably just distracted by all the activity around him and misses his cue to get to the potty. Or, since you are giving your attention to others while entertaining, he might be doing it to get you to pay more attention to him.
You could try reminding him to go to the potty every hour (or even shorter intervals) when you have people over. It only takes a moment, and it lets him know that you still will attend to his needs even when others are in the house.

Answer 9

o.k., so you know how long it take him to have to potty after drinking, right?
give him a lot to drink as soon as your friends get there, wait for the amount of time it takes him to have to potty and take him to the potty. excuse yourself from the conversation and pick him up and take him (physically, sometimes) to the potty. have him sit (or stand) and don't leave the bathroom 'till he's done.
then BIG PRAISE.

you have to give all the attention to him which means giving your home to your friends for a few minutes. they won't mind.

Answer 10

Tips on helping the child that won't go

Oftentimes, children might be physically unable, or outright refuse, to use the potty. Here are some tips on helping the child that won't go.

* Just ask. Sometimes, misconceptions or real fears stand in the way of successful toilet training. You may try just asking your child why s/he won't use the toilet. One parent did this and found out that her son was intimidated by the process and didn't know how to proceed.
* Turn on the faucet. Some parents find it helpful in early training to try turning on the water faucet in the bathroom as a stimulus to urinate. Hey, if it works for adults it will work for kids.
* Try the "warm water" trick. Once the child is sitting on the potty, fill a large bowl or small bucket with lukewarm or tepid water. Place some new "potty" toys in the bowl and set the bowl of water in front of the child. When the child places his/her hands in the lukewarm water to play with the toys, they may nearly instantly go.
* Place targets in the toilet. This tip works best for older boys. Many parents put objects in the toilet so boys have something to aim for. This challenge taps into their natural interest in hitting targets. Inexpensive and biodegradable targets include Cheerios, Fruit Loops, and squares of toilet paper with drawn-on "bulls-eyes." Some parents have been known to use glitter or sprinkles. One even pours a little bubble bath in the toilet and tells her child to make bubbles.
* Sing a song. Singing a song for your child will help you pass the time and keep them interested in staying in the bathroom. One parent who successfully trained her child created a potty song to make her son feel more comfortable in the bathroom. It's sung to the tune of Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star. It goes like this: "Tinkle, tinkle, little pee, in the potty you will be. Poopy, poopy stinky-o, in the potty you will go."
* Soften the stool naturally. If children begin holding their stool in, the stool can become hard. Dietary changes can soften the stool. Try increasing the fiber in your child's diet. More sweet corn, peas, and whole meal bread may help. Prunes can be mashed and disguised as necessary. Baked beans, fruit with the peel left on, potatoes and chips in their skins - all can help to add bulk and make bowel movements easier. Increasing clear liquid intake will help prevent stools from becoming too dry. Excessive milk intake can lead to constipation.
* Let your child run naked. Allow your child to run around naked when you are at home. Having to deal with the urge to eliminate will be much more noticeable to your child when there is nothing to catch it in but the potty.
* Try a pee-pee tree. For a resistant boy who refuses to go anywhere but his underwear or training pants, as part of the outside bare-bottom drill, paint a target on a tree and show him how to water it.
* Keep a record. Keep a log of daytime urination and bowel movements. It will help you identify your child's elimination pattern. If visiting your pediatrician, show this record to her/him.
* Consult a pediatrician.If any concerns come up before, during, or after toilet training, talk with your pediatrician. Often the problem is minor and can be resolved quickly, but sometimes physical or emotional causes will require treatment. Your pediatrician's help, advice, and encouragement can help make toilet training easier. Also, your pediatrician is trained to identify and manage problems that are more serious.
* Seek advice and support online. Talk to other parents about their success and failures on online discussion boards. Post a message, ask a question, and exchange information about potty training. It's a great learning experience!