is 3 years old late for potty training?

Question

my almost 3 year old doesnt have much interest in potty training, people make me feel like im not pushing her enough, a doctor told me when shes ready youll know, when should i start worrying and should i start pushing the issue?
thanks

Answer 1

I wouldn't push the issue until she is ready. I would (if you aren't already) start taking her in the bathroom with you when you go, talk about it to her, get a potty chair and start her sitting on it (with clothes on at first) and when she isn't scared setting her there for a minute or two when she is getting the bath or when you are changing her diaper. If she can tell you when she is wet or potty's and can take her clothes up and down those are also good signs. I read somewhere (can't remember) that if they can tell you sensations they are feeling such as hunger they should be able to tell you when they have to go potty.

All that said, I am a believer in training is easier, more effective and all around better when they are ready and pushing it before they are only makes it harder for everyone and it takes longer.

Only you as her mother will know when she is ready, don't let others tell you how to parent. You know what is best for your child.

Good luck.

Answer 2

3 years old is well past the AVERAGE age children learn to potty train.

But your doctor is right. When she's ready, she's ready. The only reason you would need to push her is if you were planning on taking her somewhere that requires potty-trained children. As a specific example, I know that Disney Cruise Lines require that children being left in the 3-5 yo kids club be potty trained.

Our 1st son didn't train until he more than 3 and a half years old. He just didn't seem interested. Then, almost instantly (about the same time my mother died) he suddenly decided he was a big boy and wanted to wear the big boy underware.

In our case, late potty training equated to virtually no accidents.

Answer 3

NO. I'm also one who agrees with letting them learn when they're ready. Have things ready, like a little potty and maybe a book or video. But don't push the issue.

My first son was completely trained by 2 1/2, my second was closer to 3 1/2. I had him almost completely trained by 3, I put him into preschool which stressed him out and he regressed, taking another 6 months to completely train him. (I took him out of preschool. I was a stay-at-home mom, he didn't NEED preschool at 3 years old.)

I also think 3 is too early for preschool. We're pushing our babies too fast for everything, let them be babies. So they wear a diaper, it's not like that's going to come up on a job interview!

Answer 4

NO NO NO NO -- DON'T WORRY ABOUT WHAT PEOPLE SAY OR THINK!!!! All children are different -- at every single stage, whether it's walking, talking, potty training. I can assure you -- he will potty train and if he's not ready yet, he's just not ready.
I have a nephew who didn't TALK at all until he was almost 4 years old -- turns out he was the genius of the family and started reading as soon as he started talking. You can NEVER EVER JUDGE a baby at how fast they do ANYTHING (unless it's a health issue) and your baby, this is not a health issue -- both of my boys were totally different. My youngest was more like yours now (oh and he's almsot a corpsman and he is potty trained) LOL

Answer 5

be a good mom and set an example. Explain that she can start school once she learns to go potty. There are some great books out there for her to learn and that she will be a 'big girl' like mommy too. Start now to have her sit for a little bit. Give her a book to read while on the potty, and be very ENcouraging.

Answer 6

We are going thru that at the moment. My son still wears pull ups to bed and I feel like that is just fine. He will be 4 in November. I am not worried about it at the moment. He is just recently potty trained like just over a month now. Some mornings he wakes up dry and others he is wet. I haven't dont anything differently. He still goes to the potty before bed and even gets milk right before bed. I'll worry later on, when he is still wearing pull ups to bed.

Answer 7

I have had 5 children, 2 girls and 3 boys.. The dr is right she will let u know when she is ready... My youngest turned 4 in june and he still wears a pull up to bed but when he gets up in the morning he knows the pull up comes off and 90%of the time he is dry.... I had people giving me lectures on him potty training too so i know what u are going through...

Answer 8

My daughter refused to use the potty chair and did not want to be lifted to the toilet. What worked for my kids is The Potty Stool http://www.thepottystool.com This stool makes every toilet kid-sized. The handles on this stool make all the difference. My daughter potty trained quickly because she was so excited about this stool. She loved using the big toilet because she knew that is what everyone uses. I like that it is sturdy and safe and got her out of diapers fast. The best part is kids use it for years. Hope this helps.

Answer 9

Personally I think that's a little too old...My mother always boosted about how I was potty trained at 9 months and I can only remember wetting the bed twice in my lifetime. Do like how my mother did: Turn on the faucet and sing "Twinkle Twinkle Little Star." That was the signature song for me; Whenever I heard that song I knew that if I had to pee, that was the time to do it. If I peed or pooped in my pants I was punished and when I pottied in the toilet I was rewarded. She'll learn quicker if you're stern on her and keep pushing her to use the toilet and giving her rewards for making good progress!

Answer 10

I'm not understanding all this new thinking about letting a kid potty train whenever. do you know that most preschools won't take a kid who isn't potty trained? if your daughter is almost 3, it's time for preschool. she needs to be potty trained and unless she has developmental delays, she's ready. you can get a book to stir some interest perhaps, or reward her with something cool for sitting on the potty to get the ball rolling. 3 is too old to not be potty trained, or at least close. plus, imagine all the money you'll save on diapers when she's done with them :)