Potty Training - Charlottesville,VA

F., my son is 3 1/2. We tried everything under the sun with him...treats, sticker chart, reading to him on the potty, bought a magnetic chart, praise, bought toys he couldn't play with unless he used the potty, bought the potty doll, bribbery. Nothing worked. One day he just said he had to go and he went and he kept going. He will still have an accident every once in a while. The same thing happened with number 2. We have been trying everything all over again, then yesterday, he said, I have to go poop and he went to the bathroom and did it. Hopefully, that will continue. In between all of that, we just kept watching for the signs and taking him to the bathroom. He just seemed to want to do it on his terms and his timeline. Remember, boys take longer and they won't go to highschool not potty trained(I had some doubt about that one). So, I guess my advice is hang in there and give him time. It will happen. Hope that helps! T.

Hi:) I went through something similar to this with my oldest son who is now 6. I found that the clothing he wore made a huge difference. My mother told me to totally forget about jeans, rompers, or other types of "difficult" clothing during potty training. Even though I didn't like that advise, it helped to a large degree. Toddlers, as I'm sure you know:) have major issues with independence and most try to do everything themselves. My son became frustrated when he could not get his pants down because he still needed mommy to help him go to the potty. I stuck with elastic waist sweatpants and athletic type pants with the piping down the sides.

For this reason also, I have been told by several parents that they potty train in the summer and warm months. My son was quite resistant at times to potty training, but when I told him he could pee in the yard that is what really got him excited about it!!! LOL!!!! When we were completely set for potty training, I bought some training pants--not the disposible pull ups, but they are specifically for toddlers and feel like cloth diapers but have the elastic cover built in. These helped a LOT because I found that my son didn't realize he was wet when he wore pull ups. I'm not sure how well those new "Feel and Learn" ones work because they were not around when my son was at that stage. For the first week or so everytime my son used the potty (inside the house) he got to call grandma or grandaddy or whomever he wanted and tell them how he just used the potty all by himself. This was great motivation!! I also tried really hard to hide any irritability I had about accidents and smiled as I cleaned poo off the floor (ICK)...A positive attitude and no pressure atmosphere made my son believe that it was all up to him, his decisions, etc....

My mother's advice to me was-"switch him to underwear and don't go back"....once we got these "trainer" pants I never ever put diapers on him during the day again, only one at night when he slept. That first week was absolute hell (I do not recommend potty training during any stressful times like holidays or when parents are stressed out)...try to stay home as much as you can during the first week or so. Also, caregivers like daycare need to do exactly what you are doing at home. Expect many accidents!!!
If you have tried all this stuff already and after, say, 10 days or so he is still not catching on, then maybe he is just not ready yet:)

I hope this helps...I swear I would rather change diapers ANYday then deal with potty training!! but it is such an exciting time and a milestone towards independence!! But I have a 2 year old that is starting to show a little interest so I'm sure after the holidays I will be posting questions for you!!:)

Two is pretty young for a boy, but as a friend of mine suggested, our parents had us potty trained at 2, not 3.
that being said, my daughter was over 3 before we got it done and we started at 2. My daycare director who has 4 kids said that when they just turn 2 is the right age to start, they want to please you and haven't figured out the control issues yet. Her advice, which when I finally followed and worked in 2 days: plastic underpants with padding (I found them in babies r us) so he feels the wetness but it doesn't soak your floor, take him to the potty every 2 hours, no pull ups, and if he refuses to go, restrict him to a room he can't destroy with pee (my daughter couldnt leave the kitchen until she went to the potty-that got old in 20 minutes and she finally submitted) and lots of praise. she also suggested dollar store presents, cheap things wrapped up for the first 10 times. Toddler 411 has some good points too, never yell at them for an accident but make them clean it up.

good luck,and remember, he wont be going to college in diapers!

I think two years old is still young. My daughter did the same thing. She expressed interest in potty training and would go on the potty anytime I left her bottom half naked but the minute I put pants on, she would have an accident. I just stayed persistent. When we were at home, I would let her run around naked and go potty. When we went out, she wore a diaper or a pull-up. She didn't actually become fully potty trained until she was three years old. When she did learn though, she went completely. There was never an accident, even at night. You are right not to push. It will happen eventually. I know it is frustrating but stay with it. Good Luck!!