Potty Training a 3 1/2 Boy

L.,

I think potty training is one of the most frustrating things that we as parents have to deal with. My son was not trained until just after he turned four. The trick is to find what motivates your child. Every child is different. Some kids want to be "big" kids, others respond to toys or candy. It was toys that my son responded to. We bought some new toys that he wanted and put them somewhere he could see them but not reach them. I told him he could have one when he pooped on the potty and then left it up to him. It took a while but eventually he did it as was so happy to finally get his toy.

well my son has been using the potty for poop since about 2.5 yrs but now almost 3 only pees when i ask him and he feels like it.

some regression since 2nd child and i remind him that poop in his diaper makes his butt red and itchy and hurt. that seems to work w/us cuz he knows it will

good luck

I am not sure if this will help but this is what i did for potty training.

My son asked to have underwear(right when he was 2 1/2) so I never went back to diapers. I asked him every hr and when he got a little better I would make him go every few hrs. He did pee in the toilet but then poop in his underwear --so whenever he mentioned not feeling well--I would stick him on the toilet with a book. If he went pee he got 1 m&m if he pooped he got 2--after awile it just clicked. It took 1 1/2 weeks before we had a day without accidents. Also--when he had an accident I had him clean it up and do his laundry--this would take playtime from him and he did not like it. He would try to do the sprayer but I would only let him wipe it up. I didn't want him to this this was a fun thing.

He has also had 2 setbacks--the first one we had to start doing m & ms again and the 2nd one was for only a few days. It is EXTREMELy frustrating--I hope some of this helps!!

I just potty trained my son and pee definately came easier...do you keep him in underwear all day? If so, does he tell you when he poops in them?? What worked the best for my son was keeping him naked for a few weeks until he got it (but it might only be a few days for you since he's already going pee in the potty). He pooped once on the floor and I picked it up with a wipe and put it in his potty and told him it was "ick" on the floor...that we go poop in the potty. That was it for us...I think i had it really easy so I don't have any great words of wisdom, but once he figures out that the poop belongs in the potty that battle is over...then you just have to worry about making him feel comfortable doing it on the potty....you say he refuses to sit on the potty...does he pee while standing? In that situation I'm not sure how to get him comfortable sitting on the potty...maybe a different potty seat? give him some books or toys to make him feel better about just sitting there? good luck :) sorry i couldn't be more help.

My daughter was the same way. It took for ever for her to get the hang of it, and her at 4 yrs old, I still get nervous when she goes to preschool. Just hang in there. Your child will get the hang of it.

L., I am in the same boat as you with my 3 yr old boy! I am sorry to say that I don't have the answer, but I will say that the advice I was given by friends and family might be the trick that works. They just keep telling me to leave him in his underpants... not pull ups (which he seems to think of as just a fancy diaper that holds everything just as well). So, this week I put him in his underpants (cool ones like Ninja Turtles)and he is at daycare, so they have him sit on the potty every hour or so. he pees in the potty now (which was also an issue before)and hopefully he will go #2 in the potty soon! Fingers crossed. My sister swears that he needs to run around naked to get it, but he hates not having his pants or shorts on so that is not an option for me. Anyway, keep us posted.