Potty Training Troubles

If he isn't interested and displaying signs of readiness, then I say wait until he is ready.

Starting before a toddler is ready is fighting an uphill battle that you will not win. And, you run the risk of making the potty a topic of frustration. My little dude is 2 years and 4 months, and from what I understand boys don't usually until around the age of 3 and sometimes not until 4.

For me it's no rush...I want to let my son work at his own pace and that for me means throwing out the expectations of doctors, family, friends and all those silly books I read before my little guy was born.

Good luck and take it easy!

Is there a reason he has to potty train now?

He's not ready. Just wait.
Most boys, are not ready to potty train until 3 yrs. old.

though, some say don't give them a choice and just put them on the potty every hour, or upon waking and before nap/sleep.
And some say don't "ask" if they want to go, just do it.
It's up to you.

But, a kicking screaming toddler who does not want to sit on the potty, simply won't.

Or, if in daycare, some will do the training for you.

You can't really "make" them ready... but just acclimate him to it... it will be gradual. Just show him videos about it, or read him books.

But, unless they are ready, its just going to be a struggle and a conflict and he'll probably just hate it. So it's up to you. Just every so often, try. But don't force it.

There's a book called: "Diaper-Free Before 3" by Jill M. Lekovic, M.D. It's supposed to have good ratings. My friend told me about it.

But don't feel "pressured" or compare your boy to other kids, or other Mom's. That will only derail your son and your efforts.

Potty training is a VERY gradual thing... that takes time to master, completely. By the time they are COMPLETELY potty trained... it will not be overnight.

My Mother In Law... always "tells" my Hubby how she potty trained them and ALL her grand-kids by the time they were 1 years old, and "how come" my son (who is 26 months old), is not YET. Whatever! Well, she would just leave them naked (she has tile floors everywhere), and she every hour just put them on the potty, and if they messed up the floor it didn't matter. For her, it just took a couple of days. In her words.
I am of a different philosophy.

Some, take a weekend, and leave their kid naked, outside, and then spend ALL day doing this. With the goal that the kid will, in 1 weekend, be potty trained and that's it. And they take away all diapers, and "explain" to the child.

Many different opinions on this. See what is best for your son.
All the best,
Susan

I have 2 sons, neither one was interested in the potty. With the first I tried so hard. I would put him on the potty and he would just sit there.... he would even read book after book but nothing. As soon as I took him off he would go in his underwear, diaper or on the floor. Anyway, my husband convinced me to just let it go. He finally got it around 4 1/2, and it was so easy, one day pull up/diapers, next day underwear and "mommy I need to go potty." The second was easier for me, since I knew to just let it go and he would let me know when it was time. The good news is the 2nd one was trained by 3 1/2 (probably because his older brother used the potty). I know it is hard to hear but when they are ready, they will let you know. It is not impossible, but it can seem like that if you try to make them do something they aren't ready to do. Try the books and movies, etc. but also be patient, it will happen (as our peditrician said have you ever seen a high school graduate in diapers???). Also be careful, because once they are potty trained you need to know where the bathrooms are in every building you enter because you will hear that "mommy I need to go potty...now!!!" LOL! :) Good luck,

Hi C.:
There isn't a mother out there, that wouldn't be delighted,if their toddler went from diapers to underwear (On command) unfortunately,this is one of those things, that can't be rushed,or pushed.I agree with the other mothers. The more you come across like its something he (MUST accomplish NOW,the more pressured he'll feel.This causes setbacks.If he shows an interest,thats fine,but I wouldn't make him think your in a hurry,or show your frustrations or disapointments in his struggles to please you.Let him take his time,and have patience,and it will happen before you know it. I wish you and your darlin toddler the best.

It's not impossible and can actually be fun... when he is ready!

Read The No Cry Potty Solution by Elizabeth Pantley, THEN when he is ready you'll know just what to do and it will be a breeze!

My daughter was almost 4 when she potty trained and my son was 3. Unless you want to train with tears, feel frustrated/angry, then I highly recommend waiting until he is ready. It won't be long!

Best wishes,
M.

hes just not ready dont push him. my daughter was ready at 18 months old and we are going slowly at it. i get people all the time telling me that shes too young and that im going to make it hard on myself and her. heres what i do. while we are at home my daughter is only in panties and a t shirt so as soon as she has an accident she knows shes wet. then when we leave the house or she is going to sleep i put a pull up on her (i use usually 2 pullups a day unless i leave the house). i also take her to her potty every 30-45 mins yes it sounds like a lot of going back and forth but i believe that it will help her reckonize when shes got to go. i do use a reward for when she goes (after dinner mints 1 for each sucessfull potty trip) maybe try this with your son. good luck this is such a huge step to over come!

Know that he won't be in diapers by the time he is 10 years old! So, it is not impossible.

That said, take your time with him. Is there a rush? I know moms who left their kids in their underwear and then mopped up after them and just waited it out.

With me, it was a difficult journey. My 5 year old is now potty trained (though he has accidents here and there) and it just took him a while. My 20 month old is exhibiting signs that he is ready so I am going to begin during the Thanksgiving weekend and see how it goes. We are using a multi-media approach (books, videos, sticker reward chart, a teddy friend that sits on the potty too, looking at his older brother and dad "go", etc.)

Whatever you decide, do what feels right.