What are some helpful hints on potty training a soon to be 3 year old boy?

Question

pull-ups and rewards are not working neither is taking in every hour. any other suggestions are welcome

Answer 1

I had trouble potty training my daughter ( i do not know if this will work for a boy but i dont see why not) my step mother told me with all 3 of her children she let them wet them selves a few times in their drawers and they quickly realized how gross it was and went into the potty.... after months of trying everything else i did this TWICE and my daughter starting going straight to the potty took another 6 months or so of still wearing pull ups at night til she would get up at night and say she had to go

Answer 2

My son will be 3 in Sept. and I am currently potty training him. The pull-ups didn't work for me either. What I did was for a week straight, we did not go anywhere, and I let him wear only his underwear. We went out and bought him like 5 packs of underwear, he picked out Thomas the train ones, and I told him that if we went on the potty he could wear his underwear. Well the first day, he had a few accidents, but by the third day he was doing great. I also moved his little potty into whatever room we were in, at his age when he realizes he has to go, there is like a 2 second window! So instead of having an accident on the way to the bathroom, he made it to the potty. As he gets older and has more control, then he can make it to the bathroom. He only wears a diaper at night. It's hard and frustrating, but children are very smart, they pick things up quickly. Good luck.

Answer 3

They didn't work on my son either. What I did was to go out and buy some "big boy underwear" (at least 12 underpants )and let him wear it.
When he pooped or peed in his underwear, I taught him how to clean it up and change it, because I got tired of it.
Eventually, he must have gotten tired of it too, because he started using the potty more and more until one day he was potty trained.

My son was not fully potty- trained until age 4, he is now 5. I wouldn't worry about him not being potty trained at age 3 unless u are enrolling him in preschool.
I had the same concerns that you did. My daughter is going down the same road now and I might have to do the same thing with her. She is 2.5.

Good luck and I hope this helps!

Answer 4

I tried the reward system with my son and made sure it was a realistic reward and something that he really liked and I just praised for even trying to go or even making it to the bathroom. One thing I learned is that you don't want to use negative words or facial expressions because they pick up on everything.
I put fruit loops in the toilet and made my son try to aim and shot the cereal. Had my 12 yr old show him or even daddy can help. He went crazy and loved going potty.. AHHH! and don't forget the potty dance!! just be silly make up your own song. Hope this helps oh and consistency

Answer 5

Cheerios! Put a few in the potty and yell "Target practice!" It really works. Or you could do what I did with my youngest, teach him to potty sitting down ( my hubby was so mad) but once he got the hang of it, he could do it standing up.

Some kids just won't go until they're ready. My son would not pee in the potty until he was nearly three. Number two took about six months longer. Put him in REAL underwear. He won't like the feeling of using the bathroom on himself and will be more likely to tell you before going.

I wish you all the luck.

Answer 6

Checklist is he ready ?

Physical signs

Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily.

Urinates a fair amount at one time.

Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.

Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.

Behavioral signs

Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes.

Can pull his pants up and down.

Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.

Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear.

Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.

Demonstrates a desire for independence.

Takes pride in his accomplishments.

Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.

Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.

Cognitive signs

Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy."

Understands the value of putting things where they belong.

Has words for urine and stool.

Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty.





This early in the process, your child needs to get used to the idea of using the potty. Start by letting him know that the potty-chair is his very own; you can personalize it by writing his name on it or letting him decorate it with stickers. Then have him try sitting on it with his clothes on. After he's practiced this way for a week or so, you can suggest he try it with his pants down. If he seems at all resistant, avoid any temptation to pressure him. That will only set up a power struggle that could derail the entire process.

If your child has a favorite doll or stuffed animal, try using it for potty demonstrations. Most children enjoy watching their favorite toy go through the motions, and may learn more this way than from you telling them what to do. Some parents even construct a makeshift toilet for the doll or stuffed animal; while your child is perched on his chair, his favorite toy can be sitting on its own potty.

Answer 7

that's fairly young for a boy, especially. boys tend to potty train later than girls, but good for you if you are beginning to teach him. a lot of these ideas are good....letting him pick out his new underwear (whatever designs/characters he likes) and i think not taking him anywhere for awhile and letting him wear his underwear and then pee in them and see how it feels is a great idea. eventually he will realize it feels terrible and he will want to use the potty.

make sure he has something cool to stand on for when he has to go, and tatoos and stickers he can wear/put on some sort of chart are a good way to try too.

good luck! lots and lots of praise!!

Answer 8

Well, when at home I'll train him goin to the toilet every hour. sometimes he juz simply refuses to go but little "bribe" does help. however when he's at childcare, it's hard for the teacher to keep on eye on him so when he's at home, i'll make sure he go to the loo to pee..these needs practice

Answer 9

Cheerios and food coloring. I've also heard of putting cheap toy sail boats in the toilet for aim. Not to sure about the last one, but she swore it worked, lol.

Answer 10

a little praise goes a long way. also first thing when he gets up in the morning, and your normal routine through the day. and don't forget before he goes to bed at nite.