I need help Potty Training my 3 year old son?

Question

I have asked this question before. And I tried to use everyone's excuses. Nothing seems to work. He doesn't want to go potty at all. We are going to Florida in February a week before his 4th birthday. I keep trying to tell him he has to go potty before he gets on the plane - because he really wants to go on his 1st plane ride. But he still has no interest in doing it at all. I am trying really not to get frustrated. I am also a single mom, and I work 2 jobs, so it is very hard for me to be persistant with the training. Please advise me on what I should do.

Answer 1

I'm having the same problem with my son he is 3 years old and will be 4 in march. I talked to councilors and all that and they just said to keep him in underwear when we are at home and literally from one day to the next he will want to use the potty, I've used everything as well. Bribing, games, even getting in trouble, nope he doesn't care. Good Luck.

Answer 2

I know you are probably getting discouraged with him being 3 and still not potty trained. Please don't, it isn't unusual for a boy to be 3 - 3 1/2 before they are trained. They usually train later than girls. Girls don't have to learn how to aim like a boy does. Just make a game out of it. Try to beat him to the punch and get him to the potty before you think he is going to wet his diaper. By now you should be able to establish a pattern to his wetting and work within that to train him. Make sure you praise him every time he does it right, but don't scold him if he doesn't. It has to always be a positive experience or he won't want to learn. Buy him some big boy pants and tell him he needs to keep them clean and dry if he wants to wear them. Let him help pick out something he likes and wants. Good luck. Time is on your side.

Answer 3

It really helped my son to potty train standing up so he could see what was happening and connect the sensations. What worked for my son is The Potty Stool http://www.thepottystool.com I started by just setting it at the toilet. This stool makes every toilet kid-sized. 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.

Your son will be potty trained in a week. My kids like to use what they know mommy and daddy use. And it really is wonderful having your kids independently use the toilet on their own. The handles make all the difference! My son and daughter felt very secure and the sides makes them feel comfortable and closed in when they use the toilet.

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 4

Do you think you have gotten yourself into a power struggle over this? This is a battle you cannot will because it is something only your son can control. Remember, that only he can control this. The power needs to be put into his hands. If you insist, he will resist. I suggest you let it go for a few days and then try this:

Take him shopping and let him pick out some “Big Boy” underwear. Count out the remainder of his diapers (or pull-ups) with him and say “10 more diapers left. When these run out you get to use the toilet.” Let him use the adult toilet. It is usually easier to train boys first while sitting down to eliminate confusion (standing up for #1 and sitting for #2). If he is not comfortable using the adult toilet, get him a stool like this http://thepottystool.com/. Make sure he is in clothing that he can get on and off without your help. When you think it is about time he should go or if you see him doing the potty dance say to him “It looks like you need to use the bathroom.” Don’t push it or he will resist. If he is successful reward him by saying things like “You did it!” “You must feel so proud!” “You used the toilet!” “Soon we’ll be able to get on the plane!” If he soils himself, say to him “It looks like you need to change.” Keep calm. Let him take care of as much of the clean up as possible. He can remove his soiled clothing, put them in a bag and into the laundry, clean himself (take a bath if necessary), and put on some clean clothing. It won’t take long for him to learn that it is much easier to use the bathroom. It will be much easier on all of you if you put the power into his hands when it comes to training him.

Hope this helps and happy training!

Answer 5

You have my total sympathy. My 3.5 year old boy has pooped twice but still refuses to regularly use the potty. Duruing the day he will pee reliably.

My current guess based on what Ive seen from parents that got thier kids trained by like 2 is, Leave them in the dirty diaper for a few minutes. Dont chase the kid to change his diaper. Make haveing a diaper no fun at all.

my guess that the changing process gets him some attention, and thats a negative feedback to taking responsibility to go poop.

Answer 6

Ok at 3 years old he should know when he has to go.. And is old enough to understand what you are talking about. I started potty training my son when he started to walk, age 1. Rule was anyone in the house going to the bathroom took him with them to get him to try. He was completely potty trained by age 2.. I would say the child is lazy. And not motivated to get up and go to the bathroom.. Why should he you will change his diaper. Now I know this sounds mean.. but let him sit in his mess..tell him no more cleaning up he needs to be a big boy and use to pot.. I have seen kids his age go get a clean diaper and ask mommy to change them.. if they are smart enough to do that.. they are smart enough to get to the bathroom. I had this same problem with my mother after she had a stroke.. she could have used the pot,, but just went in her diaper and told me it was my job, to clean her up. Not a great attitude or one you expect from anyone.. believe me you child needs an attitude adjustment.. your the boss.. not him. Getting him big boy underpants with his favorite hero on them might motivate him to not mess them up. YOu say you work two jobs.. single mom.. who watches him while your at work.. if they are not interested in helping you potty train.. find someone who is.. you all have to work at this as a team. He is almost 4 years old.. that is way to old to be still not potty trained.. I would spank him every time he messed his pants.. I assume you have talked to a doctor about this problem and no medical problems? if no medical reason honey.. get busy being the boss,, his mother.. don't let a 3 year old tell you what he is gonna do or not do..

Answer 7

My oldest boy was not potty trained until 4 years old, but fortunately, I was in a position to be patient. I didn't force him at all.

I kept him in diapers until he was ready! One day he decided he was ready, (he had been watching his father and grandfather use the bathroom), and we never had a problem with bed-wetting or accidents.

I know it seems strange for a talking 4 year old to be walking around in diapers, but for me it was the only sensible solution. The only problem I had was with peoples' opinions. People ridiculed my son and chastised me for not doing something about this 'shameful' situation.

Answer 8

get consistent and what ever you did make his sitter enforce

and they arent excuses. they are things we did and worked for us its advice

heres what worked with my son we put him in underwear and told him no pull ups except to bed. he had a few accidents, the first week by the end of week one fully trained. he was 3 and a half exactly he hated being wet. we did not back down once he will be five in feb and only had a handfull of accidents. not to be rude but it seems like your expecting a miracle. do no more but he learns and it doesnt happen so get that out of your head. hes not just gonna wake up trained on morning stop making excuses and get consistent this includes he child care providers

Answer 9

you tried using every ones "excuses" what do you mean, i suggest taking a few days off and throwing away all diapers and pull ups get some big boy undies and explaining that's the way it is now, you will have a lot of laundry at first but by under a week it will be done

Answer 10

I used bribery. I took my son to the toystore and had him pick out a toy. Then I told him if he wanted that toy, he had to use the potty everyday. Went home, he went potty, we went back and bought the toy. He never wore diapers or had any accidents again.