Potty training my 4 year old is a nightmare!?

Question

I have done everything from stickers to goodies to money and hot wheels, nothing is working! His dad just moved away, before he left he did little to help while our son was visiting on his weekends, now I want my son in pre-school and I put him in big boy pants, he pees on the potty, even when hes wearing pullups, he will tell me he needs to go potty when we are not home, we stop and he goes pee.... poo is another story, he will just poo in his pants, it's gotten to the point when he will go to the bathroom and try to hide that he pooped his pants.... how can I get him to poo on the potty like he goes pee??!!

I did start at 2, this has been going on since his father and I seperated.

Answer 1

It is wonderful that your son is so good with peeing because that is the hard part. What worked for both my son and my daughter is The Potty Stool http://www.thepottystool.com This stool makes every toilet kid- sized. My son was able to build his confidence and feel very secure with using the toilet. When he felt the need to go, he could do it properly. This stool made all the difference for my kids. I hope this helps you.

Answer 2

If your sons father just moved out of the house, this probably isnt a good time to try to focus really hard on potty training. Your son is probably going through some major emotional stuff, and potty training probably isnt going to be on his mind.
When the time comes though, maybe you could just ask him why he goes in his pants and ask him if he knows when its going to be coming out. He could have a medical issue if hes going in his pants. If you havent done so already, I would definitely talk to your sons Dr about it and see what they say. Your son may benefit from seeing a counselor also. Most kids by age 4 will not just poop their pants.

Answer 3

I don't approve of your second answer. you don't want to start making him feel like he has to hold it that will cause intestinal problems and that's not good. my son will be 3 in DEC 30th, I am having a very hard time potty training him, my 1st son i had him completely trained by the time he was 2 and half with no problem, I tell him big boys go pee and poop in the potty, babies go in there pants and in diapers so he will do really good for that day but then the next day i have to tell him again.
but i'm having the major problem with him going poop in the floor. I'm kinda lost with what to do.
i don't really have an answer but your not alone sorry.
good luck to you!

Answer 4

He is probably having some regression issues because his dad moved away. :( Give it a couple of months and then try again. It seems like he is feeling guilty about pooping his pants cuz he knows it makes you mad (and I don't blame you). It might also be a medical thing. I would put him in underwear, and then when he poops just make him change himself. That way the responsibility is on him, and I don't think it's too much for a 4 yr old to be responsible for their own bms. He might be afraid of the toilet too--did he learn to pee standing up? Sometimes that will happen with boys.

here is a great link I found for you: http://en.allexperts.com/q/Pediatrics-1429/potty-training-five-year.htm

Answer 5

Make him responsible for his accidents. Praise only the good moments and when he has an accident, have him take his underwear to the toilet to get rid of the poop and then put them in the washer, clean up after himself and go on about his business. Do not make a big deal out of an accident, the less attention from an accident he gets the better. Just have him clean up and then move on. My son learned to go poop on the potty with us actually saying "uh oh, I have to go poo, I better go to the bathroom" and then going to the bathroom to do it. Graphic, but it worked.

Answer 6

Your Pediatrician Can Help With Potty Training. If any concerns come up before, during, or after toilet training, talk with your pediatrician. Often the problem or problems are minor and can be resolved quickly, but sometimes physical or emotional causes will require treatment. Your pediatrician's help, advice, and encouragement can help make toilet training easier.
You also should have started at age 2 instead of 4. Hmm...better luck next time :)

Answer 7

I don't know. My daughter is 2 1/2 and we have major potty issues. I was hoping she would be trained by now. She was holding in her bowel movements forcing herself to get constipated. She seems to like going poo on the potty when she finally does go, but we can't get the pee to come out. She'll cry for a diaper so she can go. All I can say is I wish you luck.

Answer 8

I am sure there is a way. Um.......lets see. I wouldn't let the ferret run around your house trying to train it to use the bathroom in one specific place. I would put him in the bathroom with the door shut and train him there. That way you don't get stains in your carpet or nice floor. I would personally use a litter box because it is easy to clean. I would put the litter box in the corner of your bathroom or room you decided to put your pet. Then you show it to your ferret. If your ferret decides to go to the bathroom on the floor say no and show him to the litter box. When he uses the litter box a couple of times without going on the floor it is time for your next step. Put him in a bigger room. Show him the litter box right away and let your pet ferret go. Do the same thing as above. When your ferret is used to the litter box you can put the litter box anywhere in the house and he should be trained to use the bathroom there. Remember: Every time you move the litter box show your ferret so he knows where it is. PS: Good luck and hope i helped you.

Answer 9

Tell him to sit down when he pees and push down on his pee pee. The next thing should follow which is the poo!! Let him know that when he feels he has to poo for him to sit down in his potty, and if he only has to pee that is the only time he can pee standing up!! Good luck to you!!

Answer 10

He should be trained by now.Here is what my daughter done to encourage her son.He will not touch the "mess" at all.So she told him,"Look what happen,let me help you clean it".He looked at he and said no,but she made him dump the mess in the toilet and get a good smell.Now when the urge hits him hes in the bathroom.Just reinforce that it stinks and can be flushed away easily.But to clean it he is on his own.Try it.Hes old enough to tell you how much he dislikes it,and will.hope this helps..