My Three Year Old Boy Is Not Interested in the Potty!!! HELP

My son went on the potty before bed for about 6 months and that was it. When I started to push for more, he didn't even want to do that. One day when we were buying diapers he said he didn't want to wear diapers anymore. I explained that he would have to go to the potty and he has been really great ever since (only a few accidents in the past six months and only one #2 accident). For us it was much easier for it to be his timing. He was familiar with the idea of it, but for complete compliance it had to be up to him. Good luck!

D....
I've recently been in the exact same boat as you. My son (turned 3 in September) had NO interest at all. Like yours, didn't care about rewards, new underwear, pull-ups, etc. So I stopped...it was just becoming a battle. Then one day a couple weeks ago he mentioned potty and he did it! Now we're still in the process...but at least we are moving forward and not at a stand still. I know you probably hate hearing this (as I did) but give it time. It will happen sooner then later. Take a break...it's not worth the stress b/c they truly won't do it until they're ready.

D.,

What about instead of "rewards" you treat him like a baby? What I mean is explain that "babies use diapers" and big boys go on the potty. So if he doesn't want to work at it, then he doesn't get big boy privledges like t.v., picking out his own snacks, etc.

Or if you think it's too difficult to take away what he already has what about buying him a great gift, and then leaving it in the package. Tell him he gets it when he is diaper free during the daytime. Make sure it's a big boy gift that ONLY big boys get because they use the potty.

Beware - he may use the potty for a week and then stop! So maybe you can keep the big gift for no more daytime diapers or accidents for a week or more. Have some little toys on hand for every day he tries and does well.

Our kids liked M&Ms. So I put some in an old pill container, made a cute label that said "Potty Treats". Every time they went on the potty and successfully "made" potty, they got a treat.

Good luck!

The best advice I ever got was quit trying!!! I have a 3 yr old son (almost 3 1/2) & I was pushing him hard to potty train b/c I was due with our second son Nov. 3 (he was born Oct 20) let's just say it was a lot of fighting & the more I pushed the more he wouldn't do it!! A co worker told me to stop all together & not to even mention it to him, to let him do it on his own time. A few months later voila he just started using the potty on his own!! The first day in underwear he had two accidents & none since!! He even stays dry at night & goes #1 & #2 on the toilet!! He's now been potty trained for about 2 months & still going strong despite the new baby!! We also had tried rewards etc prior but nothing worked b/c he wasn't ready! Hope this helps!

We had some trouble training our son as well. We did use the potty party method, although we skipped the party part. The important part of all of it was taking some one-on-one time (my husband actually did the training with him, and I took my daughter out with me and left them alone for most of the morning while they did) with one parent, and starting the morning by having lots of little snacks and juices while "training" a doll. We got the "Paul" doll, and the two of them helped "train" the doll, who went from having accidents in the morning to being trained a couple hours later - complete with chocolate frosting poop! LOL!

Then, after Paul was done having accidents, it was time for my son to wear underwear and be DONE with the pull-ups - he's a big boy now! - and with all the snacks and juice he'd been having all morning, he was needing to go potty a lot, so that by early afternoon he was getting it right nearly every time. They were also reading potty books, watching a potty video, and having a very potty-oriented day.

We had a few accidents over the next week, but we followed up with a sticker chart that he'd get stickers on every time he was successful. This went on for a few more weeks - each time he filled a row on the chart, he'd get an inexpensive "prize" for doing well. Then, when he'd finished the chart AND been dry in bed for a week straight, we declared him officially potty-trained and gave him a new set of sheets (he was really into the Cars movie at the time, and so he loved the new sheets) as his final prize.

Overall, it went very well. I recommend getting the book, http://www.amazon.com/Potty-Train-Your-Child-Just/dp/0743... and then adapting the method to suit your own situation. I thought it was terrific that my husband was willing to help with this - It was a great bonding moment for the two of them too!

Hi D.,

When my son turned 3 we went to Target and I let him pick out his own underpants. I washed them and put them in his drawer. He wanted to wear them but I told him he could only wear them if he went in the potty and kept his diaper dry.

He had to prove to me for a couple days that he wouldn't go in his diaper before I'd let him use the underwear. He was very proud when he was finally able to wear his new Transformers and Spiderman underwear. :)

Good luck!!!

M.

HI D., I agree, that as mom's we shouldn't be pushing the kids to train. With that said, I also believe 2 and 3 year olds are able to train with encouragement. My 2.5 year old twins are almost trained (some accidents, but mostly using the toilet) I do not agree with letting children run naked and mess themselves. I found (with all 4 of my kids) that M&M's were effective motivators! When my kids could hold it for a period of time, I would have them sit on the potty chair. When THEY were "done", I would then reward them after "trying" with ONE M&M, whether they went or not. Use only one M&M, or else they will have too much sweets. After a few weeks, I would only reward them with a M&M when they actually went. I hope this works out for you too!

Start by having potty books/DVDs available. Play them, read them, but make no mention of him going to the potty unless he does first.

We used the Baby Signs Potty Training Kit and it worked wonderfully for my stubborn 2 year old. The kit is based on baby sign language and potty training before the age of two, but my talking 2 year old loved it just the same and the parent book was full of helpful information for me.
Find it here: http://www.pjatr.com/t/4-17290-27711-20538 (copy and paste into your browser)

After a week or so of the books/DVDs throw him a Potty Party
Learn how here http://babysignswithelizabeth.blogspot.com/search?q=potty...

Then have no diapers or Pull Ups in the house, just underwear. I don't suggest making him clean it up, but don't give in and go back to diapers.

Keep it fun and positive and he will get it soon enough.

Feel free to contact me with any other potty training questions!

E.

I know it is hard, but don't worry about next year right now. My son was the same way and he potty trained so fast when he was ready. (He was almost 4 yrs when he got it.) It is true to wait until they are ready because if you don't you are only stressing yourself out. He will get it!