how to get nearly 3 year old son to recognise when he needs the potty?

Question

we have been training since he turned 2, and i have no idea what to try next. i know he can do it, as we have had dry weeks in the past, but i have to prompt him every time to go... it's like he has no idea he needs to go till it's too late. if i keep prompting him,he will never learn to need to go will he?
he NEVER has accidents when we are out (even for a whole afternoon), so i know he can hold on if he needs to, but he forgets at home and nursery.
we have tried stickers, sweeties if he uses the potty (worked for a bit, but sat on it several times in a hour, squeezed out a tiny drop, and demanded reward, so not really getting the point), small pressie if he stays dry all day, but he lost interest after a couple of pressie free days. he has just wet all over the new study carpet, and just doesn't seem to care.
HELP!!!

oh, and i realise we started way too soon - my mother's advice - next time will ignore her compleatly....

we have tried him on the toilet as well. he is at nursery, where they have kid sized loos, and he can also see the other kids using them...
the toilet doesn't scare him, and he will happily use it - its just with CONSTANT prompting..

Answer 1

omg what rubbish i've jus read. my son was 3 in may but husband had car crash in 2006 and still in rehab, i'm always wiv him or busy looking after other 2 kids. my poor son has had me trying different things one week then putting him in nappies the next. then sunday jus gone i really had 2 get him dry as going on hols 5/8 and he starts school 25/9. he is still having accidents but getting better everyday, i keep praising him and he loves it when he's finished on the toilet he gets to push the big button[flush]. i must admit i think it has helped having my older girls around but he definitly seems to suss whats happening the longer it goes on, he wouldnt do a no.2 for 3 days but does now he knows what it's like.
sorry for babbling on but cant believe i was stressin so much. i'd jus keep goin u'll get their in the end, remember every child is different mine will be 4 in may and i'm not takin him to the doctors if he doesnt get it yet. good luck and let us know how u do.x

Answer 2

You didn't start way to soon, that is about the right age to start potty training. My granddaughter was toilet trained by the age of 2, it only took a couple of weeks and she had a dry bed at night also. Try putting a little plastic ball in the toilet and get him to try and pee on it , make it sound fun and tell him that's what big boys do. I'm sure he will be fine in a short while just keep on persevering with him.

Answer 3

I personally don't care for the reward idea, but there are other ways to make "potty time" fun. Try making it a game, put a cheerio or some other cereal that will float in the toilet and the game is to hit the cheerio. For boys this has the additional benefit of when they get a little older and try to start making "stand-up potty calls" they are less likely to miss the toilet. Also helps if you make a big deal out of them hitting the cheerio i.e. high fives and victory dances.

Answer 4

I just potty trained my son and daughter. I like teaching my kids that they can do it themselves, that way I don't have to pressure or push my child. Plus, it helps boys to pee standing up so they can see what is happening and connect the sensations. What worked for my kids was The Potty Stool http://www.thepottystool.com I started by just setting it at the toilet. My kids immediately climbed up on this stool and discovered that they could safely and securely use the toilet. This got them very interested in using the toilet and they were potty trained very quickly. My kids like to use what they know mommy and daddy use and they were very excited about potty training because they could use the toilet. Kids WANT to use this stool because it makes the toilet kid-sized. It really makes a difference.

I like that I don't have to double the steps of potty training by training them first in a potty and then training them to stop using a potty. And not dumping and cleaning a potty each time is great. The best thing is that kids use it for years. I hope this helps you.

Answer 5

i potty trained a 3 year old in one day. all you do is give him A LOT of water/Popsicles/juice and anything that will make him pee. make him sit on the toilet every 15 min. if he sits there, give him an M&M. if he goes, give him 5 M&M's. he will learn what it feels like when he has to go very soon and will get tired of going every 15 min, so he will learn to go himself. i did this about 3-4 months ago and we have rarely had accidents. i had him in pull-ups for the first week or so, but when they were always dry, i felt he was ready for "big boy" underwear. good luck! and just have patience

Answer 6

Its normal for kids to need prompting if they are busy. So keep doing this if it works. He will eventually start going by himself. I know it seems like he will never be potty trained but how many adults do you know who need prompting to go to the toilet? Just relax send plenty of clothes to nursery, make sure the nursery staff are aware that he needs prompting, clean the carpet and enjoy your little boy.

Answer 7

You could try ditching the potty and encouraging him to use the toilet ('like big boys') (perhaps get a step so he can aim better) - he might feel more grown up. If you can encourage your partner to show him how to do it standing up too that might help. It is difficult (and boys are notorious for being 'slower' than girls`) but persevere, don't get cross and treat accidents as not a big deal, he'll soon get the idea. Best of luck.

Answer 8

God 3 and still not trained...I wouldn't know where to start - he obviously doesn't want to. My daughter has been clean and dry since 22 months, and no problems...no bribery, nothing - maybe there is something physically wrong with him - have you asked a doctor - I know my cousin had a problem when I was growing up and didn't get the hang of it until he was around 15 yrs old - turned out he didn't get that feeling we all associate with going to the loo..

Check that out...there has to be a reason, am sure he's just as stressed as you are about the situation...

Answer 9

your gonna have to keep taking him until it clicks. dont use pull ups use underwear. take him to the potty once and hour every hour and sit him on there. if he goes sing dance just go crazy if not say lets try again in a little while. my son was 3 and a half and i also started too soon thanks to my mother. this worked fro him.

boys especially hate being told they have to stop playing and go my brother is 27 and still has to be told go pee. when he plays a video game.

Answer 10

Give him more to drink. Know it sounds like a strange solution, but sometimes children dont drink enough to trigger the urge to go. This causes them to realise too late and have accidents.