How do I teach my 4 year old son, who is not potty trained, to release his bladder?

Question

My 4 year old is ready to potty train but when he gets to the toilet he stands there grunts and says "it's not working." It was so easy to potty train my older son but the middle one is so different.

Answer 1

I bought a few cheap match box cars and tacked them up on the wall above the toilet. It worked like a charm. Every time he went in the potty he got one and I only had to do a day or two and it was done. It was great! I bought the cheap packages of cars at toys r us for a couple of bucks then I put them in sandwich bags. To me it was worth the couple of dollars to stop spending so much on diapers and pullups.

Answer 2

Turn on the water faucet. Or you can start when you give him a bath or shower. He needs to be able to recognize the 'gotta go' feeling while standing in front of the potty. Also, when I started potty training my son, I started by him sitting down. I didnot want him learning by standing and waiting. Then while waiting, getting distracted and starting while not pointing at the potty.
Also, by starting with him sitting down, it was a one-training process for pooping. Then, when he had mastered the potty process, I explained the standing to pee.
Just like adults, running water makes him go.
Also, you might try letting him take showers. That way he can go in the shower. It might help him to recognize the feeling. Then, once he knows the 'feeling' he can start learning to use the potty without standing there forever 'not working'.
When he does go, get excited (very exaggeratedly). Tell him how proud you are. You can try putting cheerios or fruit loops in the potty to see if he can hit them.

Just some ideas from potty training a boy

Answer 3

I have a 3 year old working on potty training. I sit him backwords on the potty and pour water into the potty...works every time! Good luck

Answer 4

I used to read my son a short book or we would sing a song or two. I would not let him get up until the book or song was through. One mom said that she kept a big sucker wrapped up in the bathroom and would let her son lick it only if he was sitting on the potty. (Hey I'm not judging...whatever works!)

The cheerios are a great idea unless he does not stand yet, then it is just messy for you. Look up the "Peter Potty". It is a urinal for toddlers- my son loved it!

Answer 5

My son was also easy,never had a problem.
But some of the girls at work were sharing methods.
Some put a few cheerios in the bowl and made a game of it.
Good Luck...

Answer 6

Put a cheerio on the water and ask him to hit it..... LOL - works for boys every time.

Answer 7

sit his butt down and dribble really warm not hot water on his boy part works like a charm

Answer 8

first u need to be asking yourself why u've waited til he was 4 years old to potty train him.