My 3 year old is just refusing to potty train. I know he can but he just will not try. I have tried everything I know and he is about to turn 4 and I am worried. I would love to get him finished with the pull-ups but I have run out of options. Any help in this would be nice.
2007-05-01 18:49:25 · 9 answers · asked by Anonymous in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
Get rid of the pull-up and use underwear. Pull up as like diapers because they pull the moisture away from the child. He will hate the feeling of wet on his skin so that will make him use the potty.
2007-05-01 18:58:10 · answer #1 · answered by wondermom 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You might determine who his male "hero" is (like a famous football player or someone he really likes and respects) and talk to him about the fact that this person doesn't wear diapers and uses the potty because they're a big boy and wouldn't you like to be like him? I had a coworker who got her 4 year old to potty train (a few years ago) by telling him that John Elway doesn't wear a diaper. Convinced him within a few days that potty was better than diaper! Just remember that punishing really won't work in this situation and would probably set you back (take it from someone who knows).
2007-05-02 02:17:28 · answer #2 · answered by kfred67 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Take a full weekend to focus on this. First.......get rid of those pull ups. The boy needs to feel how icky it feels to wet his clothes and feel the pee run down his leg. To sit in Poop.
That feeling of being uncomfrotable is part of the training. Why would he want to train when he has you trained.
Go buy some underpants that he loves......like spiderman or something like that. Buy plenty because he will have some accidents.
Also make him partially responsible for cleaning up his messes. Right now he makes no effort because the adults take care of this.
He is old eough and smart enough to know he is suppose to be trained. In a way he holds on to this as a bit of power he has over you. Thus, turn that feeling of power in to a positive thing by making him feel proud of his being in control of his potty time.
Have a reward system set up that you can be consistant with it.
Sit down with your son and tell him, this is it. He is old enough to go to the bathroom his own. And if he wets the bed he needs to take the sheets off and you will help put them in the wash and he will help you make the bed again. When he makes a mess he will take responsiblity and help clean it up.
Then ever two hours take him to the bathroom. Have books for him to look at. Get little paper targets to pee at. Make it fun. Praise him big time.
Let him know it is time for him to be a big boy. He might try and push you and make you throw your hands up in distress and put him back in pull ups. But, being consistant is the most important thing to do. If he learns to be in charge of you now, imagine what he will be like as a teenager.
If he is making messes, then he can't go places with you. You go to the store and say, "you have to stay home until you stop haveing accidents. He will rise to the ocassion if he is accountable for himself.
You need to put up with the messes and he needs to help you clean them up. He needs to want to stay dry and clean if he wants to be around his friends. You might have to take away some privledges if he isn't co operating. For instance no vidio games until he is trainned. Don't budge on anything.
You can do it mom!
2007-05-02 02:24:26 · answer #3 · answered by clcalifornia 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I am having the same exact problem with my 3.5 year old. I'm now putting him in time out for pooping in his diaper (this isn't really working though). I got so mad at him the other day that I threatened to take away his trains & movies (his pride possessions).
What I'm going to start trying is using the wet liner pullups. I'm hoping those work.
If you have any luck with any of the suggestions please email me at njyecats@yahoo.com and let me know. I'm determined not to have 2 in diapers and the baby's due in Sept!
2007-05-02 02:03:50 · answer #4 · answered by njyecats 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
My son was very stubborn.I bought a potty chair.I sat it in the living room when we were in there(which was alot) and from time to time would make him sit on it.He would really get upset because he hated it.When i would go to the bathroom,i would bring the chair and make him sit on it too.I also bribed him with candy.It was getting so tiring.So i know what your going through.
2007-05-02 02:08:01 · answer #5 · answered by dubbz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
When my sister potty trained her son, he wouldnt go in the toilet either, so we decided to let him go outside in a bush. I know it sounds crazy and weird, but thats how he learned, after a few months, he was secure enough to start actually going to the bathroom.
2007-05-02 02:00:41 · answer #6 · answered by nsrpd101 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Patience is better than frustration (hard advice to follow, I know). He'll do it. Don't make it a contentious issue. If he sees your frustration he may get scared, angry, or just plain more stubborn. He'll grow tired of the pull-ups too, just not as soon as you have.
2007-05-02 01:59:12 · answer #7 · answered by z 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
It's become a power struggle. It's the only thing he has control over and he's not ready to give that power over to you.
Either give up and back off, or make it a game.
2007-05-02 01:58:52 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Explain to him the cost of diapers and if he doesn't listen give him an old fashion spanking or better yet tell him his Daddy will, if he doesn't start. Trust me your kid will comprehend and if he won't a few spankings will get them on track. A parent of three and been there.......
2007-05-02 01:57:02 · answer #9 · answered by Richard D 3 · 0⤊ 3⤋