How do I get my 3 1/2 year old boy to use the potty?

Question

I have tried everything, including candy bribes, stickers, videos, a little potty, putting him in underwear and letting him go? He starts school in September, and he needs to be trained by then. He watches his older brother, but just won't go. Any ideas?

Answer 1

First of all, let it go for awhile. This is his issue and it is best that you do not let him know that you really want him trained. If you insist, he will resist. Do not force it. Make sure he is in clothing that he can get on and off without any help. Take him shopping and let him pick out some "Big Boy" underwear. Get him (if he can’t get up without help) a step stool for the adult toilet. Count out the remainder of his diapers with him and say "After 9 more diapers you get to use the bathroom." When you think it is about time he should go or when you see him doing the "potty dance," say to him "It seems like you need to use the bathroom” or get real animated and do a little dance and say “Guess what time it is? It’s potty time!” (A little weird but has worked for me). If he is successful, do not bribe him with stickers or treats or he will only use the bathroom for the reward and his interest in these rewards will only last a short time. Some children will become interested if there is one big reward (a fire truck, a trip to the zoo). You can get him a big reward, put it high where he can see but not reach it and say "When you can use the bathroom without help then you can (Have the fire truck, go to the zoo...). You can also use the school as an incentive. Take him for one or more visits, make sure he has a great time and say “When you can use the bathroom without and help you get to come to this school!” Instead of using small rewards it is best to say things like “You did it! You must be so proud of yourself! You went potty without help!" When he has an accident, don't give it much attention. Say "It looks like you need to change." He can remove his wet clothing, rinse them out, put them in a bag in the laundry, clean any wet area, and put on dry clothing. I know it is hard to take a step back but if he takes care of this himself it won't take him long to learn it is much easier to use the bathroom. Be patient and good luck!

Answer 2

It sounds like he knows what to do, I'd put the responsibility back in his hands. Remind him again where the potty is. In clear, easy terms, tell him that he will no longer be wearing diapers (except if you want him to wear them to bed, but he doesn't have to know that until nighttime) and that you expect him to use the potty from now on. Put the underwear on him, and then leave him to it. He's really old enough to understand, and since you are on a time frame, better to start now.
Be prepared for accidents until he really gets the hang of it. Don't make a big deal about the accidents. My son didn't want to poop in the potty, so I told him that was fine, but when he did it in his pants, I put him in the bathtub and told him to take off his clothes and clean himself. Granted, he was 3 so cleaning himself wasn't the greatest, but you can bet he was okay going in the potty from there. Have some patience, it will work!!!

Answer 3

Do not put him back in diapers. Whatever you do! He's old enough to go to the potty! And don't bother with the little potty chairs either. What a mess! Start prompting him. Try getting him to stand up and pee. Have him aim at something like Cheerios. There is nothing like a challenge for a three-yr-old, eh? Praise the heck out of him when he makes it and don't make a really big deal out of it when he doesn't. Just say "let's try harder next time".

Answer 4

RE: support with potty teaching a 3 one million/two year historical boy? I were having a very intricate time with coaching my 3 year historic to utilize his potty. He rather effortlessly pass in his diaper. I've attempted sitting him on it, a few instances out of the day. Giving him sweet whilst he does use his potty, however he however effortlessly doesn't desire to do it. I must drive him, i might like...

Answer 5

best of all be consistant... but really take a weekend and devote the whole weekend to potty training. I totally agree with putting him in underwear and letting them sit in it. They do anyway in a diaper. They'll learn real fast what it means to have to go on the potty!
take the rest of the kids to grandma's and give him the full attention and consistancy this requires.

Answer 6

When you put him in underwear and he is wet or dirty do not change him right away. Let him feel wet. I did this with my son and thought it was mean. But it worked within one day.
Good luck. I promise he will be trained by September just let him go all day in underwear. When he is done get a good carpet cleaner in.

Answer 7

Find something that he is interested in. My Nephew is 4 and when he was 2 he used to love to play video games especially mario, so i told him that if he didnt go to the bathroom mario would die. But then eventually i had to change to something else because he started to say i dont care let him die so i started telling him if he didnt go then grandpa would spank him and he would get up and run. Noe he just goes on his own.

Answer 8

Build up the idea of school, how fun it is, how many friends he'll get to play with, and how he won't get to go if he doesn't start pooping in the toilet. If nothing else has worked, that just might. Good luck.

Answer 9

Just keep him in underwear all of the time. So what if he has accidents. He won't like being in his own poop or pee and then he'll go in the potty.

Answer 10

this might sound a little weird, but when he needs to pee, you could put cheerios in the toilet and tell him to aim. it worked for my cousin, and gradually, he wont need them anymore. GOOD LUCK. potty training is tough =/