Kinda Potty Training Almost 2 1/2 Yr Old?

You are doing the right thing by staying on his schedule. Don't be tough. You're doing a great job so far. Maybe ask if he needs to go to the potty a little while after he drinks or eats. I did the same as you and one day I just gave up. Then very soon afterwards she was potty trained. No need to force it, they'll get it on their own. The only reason to even have to kind of force it -- even if that -- is if it's required to go to the next class up, which my daughter didn't have to so I was in no rush.

I would suggest making it "worth it" to HIM to notice his urges. Implement some rewards for noticing and going (without your having to prompt). Some people use sticker charts for this, with a small toy reward after 10 stickers or something. At my house, we used individually wrapped fruit flavored lifesavers (not gummies). Just dumped them in a clear ziploc on the counter, and when he had success, he got to choose one. He LOVED getting to choose from the various colors/flavors. Eventually, they quit asking for the candy (after maybe 2 bags worth?)... so don't worry on that front.

Good luck.

My son has been interested in going potty off/on since he was about 18 months (he'll be 3 in June). I didn't want to push him since he was still so young, so I just let him go if he wanted, but didn't push him. Then I got pregnant, so I really didn't want to push the potty training b/c I've seen kids who regress when a new baby is brought home. But now that my baby is almost 3 months old, my older son is very interested. He's starting to tell me he has to go potty, or that he just went, and will even stay dry for long periods and occasionally overnight. So I'm about to get serious with the training. Since your son doesn't seem to "get" the signals just yet (or just doesn't care), I would wait a little longer. If you push it, it'll just take longer. If he's resisting, take a break and try again in a few weeks. A lot of boys aren't potty trained until 3, some later. I wouldn't worry. He'll get it eventually!!

Potty training can be hard, especially since they would rather not stop what they are doing to go to the potty.

My 22 month old daughter is almost completely trained (still working on nighttime, having about 1 day time accident a week). I put her in trainers at 18 months during the day, because I think it's important to show they them you believe them able to do it. I also think it helps them learn to read their body better. I put her on a strict schedule and just praised her like mad. When she was really resistant, I brought out stickers. What I found helpful was to stop asking. Instead, I just tell her we are going and ask her questions," are you going on mommy's potty or on yours?" "Am I carrying you to the potty or are you walking?" (I use the later when she shows some resistance.) I then start acting silly, and the distraction usually works.

I know many people would tell you to just wait until "he is ready", whatever that means. I tend to disagree with the more recent idea that kids aren't ready till they are 2-4. 90% of kids were trained by 18months prior to 1960. I think potty learning is like many other developmental milestones that require guidance and assistance (think of all you did to help your son walk?) There is a lot they need to learn to be fully trained. As parents, it's our job to make the process fun, but to assist them as they learn it. If they know the difference between wet and dry, and have the physical control to go on the potty, then they are ready, and it is then our job to help them be successful, Since my daughter has become almost totally successful, there is no resistance. She is proud of herself. I think a lot of the resistance is frustration on their part. They know what we want them to do, but they just don't totally get it. To get it, they need to practice. So, yes, be tougher if that means putting him on a schedule. We had rules in our house: we go first thing in the morning, before we leave the house, etc. When we established the rules, hubby and I showed her the rules.

When he starts to have some serious success, ditch the diapers, and get him some gerber trainers that contain most of the accident.

My 2 1/2 year old has recently been potty-trained and this is what worked for her: I don't think she would feel the urge when she was wearing diapers so I took her diaper off. She had to have several accidents before realizing what her body was feeling just before going. At home, she would wear just a shirt and no bottoms. I would sit her on the potty for about 10 minutes ever hour.After about a week of this and having accidents, she finally started to get the signals and say "potty!" before going. That's when I thought she was ready for big-girl underwear. She then got to put a sticker on her chart and get a piece of candy. It's been several weeks now and no accidents. Good luck!

I started my daughter at the same age and she reacted like your son. She just didn't "get it". By trying so hard to get her to "get it", I just frustrated myself. And then, on her third birthday, something just clicked for her. It wasn't anything I did, she just started going to the potty on her own (with no prompting from me). Since then (1 1/2 years later) she has not had even one accident - including over night. But before she started going on her own, I tried to force it and she did have accidents. So now I am a firm believer that it is the parent's job to let the child know what is available to them and teach how to use those things and even demonstrate often. I also think providing teaching tools like books and DVD's can be helpful. But then leave it to the child. I plan to have another child soon (fingers crossed) and I will be MUCH more relaxed this time around.

Go buy an egg timer and let him decorate it any way he wants. Then tell him that it is the pee pee/potty bell and show him the sound it makes when it goes off. Explain to him that every time we hear the bell that it is time to go potty and to see who can get there fastest. First set it for 45 minutes and after it goes off and he goes potty, set it for another 45 minutes. Make a game out of it. Once he seems to be dry or you think he is ready to go to an hour, then make the change. Add in prizes for going potty, like a gummy or some m&ms, etc. Then add in bigger prizes for going dry all day, etc. The point is to make it fun. The egg timer will put his body on a schedule that will allow him to recognize he has/needs to go. It will also help you so that you don't forget to take him to the potty. It is a win win situation!!! It worked for both my boys and several other friends I have recommended it to. Good Luck!

I don't have any advise, sorry, but I wanted to let you know that you aren't alone. My son will be 3 in March and we are taking the same approach. Maybe I'm naive, but I think that it's working better than pushing and we haven't had the regressions that so many speak of, but it's definately not a consistent thing. I also think my little boy has a bladder the size of Texas! I'm interested to see the responses you are going to get.

Good luck to you.

Keep the diaper off when you are home. You'll have some messes to clean, but he will catch on faster. Also try treats. M&Ms work best. And give a boy a target to shoot at in the potty. You are on track. Put all your focus on it and he'll be trained in no time.

Maybe you started a bit early, so that's why he still doesn't "get it." Keep doing what you're doing now, sitting him when he wakes, after meals, naps, till you figure out his timing. Geting tough wont help, he'll see it as punishment and you don't want p-training associated with that. When he is closer to 3, start him on real underware (NOT PULLUPS). Superheroes and cartoon designs help. God luck

I have a 6 year old and she still wets her bed at night..the kidney specialist recommended a wet alarm..is expensive but I think is working.. I guess the price is worthed compared with how much I was spending in pull ups.. just go to bedwettingstore.com and take a look...