J.V.
When they are too old for diapers, they are too old. It isn't pushing, it's encouraging. When a little one gets scared while trying to learn to walk, do you encourage or just carry them around? Peeing in a potty is a biological function, just like learning to walk. Don't make it bigger than it actually is.
Stop with the rewards, etc. they do not work in the long term. Instead, teach him about his body, reading its signs, and putting pee and poop in the potty.
Kids have lots of regressions. Since your son was telling you and was going, he is perfectly ready. This means that when they have a few bad days, you hold your composure and just say "opps, sweetie, next time we will keep our pants dry and put our pee in the potty."
They like to test how things work, so you will get periods when they no longer seem bothered by the wet. This is a good thing, this means he is testing it out. he gets it! One thing I do is tell my kids about all the fun they are missing while we are doing a no-fun shower. I tell them how much easier and faster it is to just go in the potty. And with poop I highlight how much cleaner it is.
They also like to test how long they can go without going to the potty. Figuring out the limits of their bladder is one of those things some kids test a few times, actually.
At the end of the day, potty learning isnt' linear for most kids. Think about when he was learning to walk, about all the times he fell down. Potty training is no different. But if you stay focused and just keep saying "pee and poop" go in the potty, they get it quickly.
No pull ups, btw. They make learning harder on them. Get some Gerber trainers if you don't want pee on your floor. BTW, I swear boys train easier. Their bladders appear to work differently, so they spray a little, instead of fully dumping. The Gerber trainers are great in catching the little bit of spray, without requiring new pants.
As in all things involving kids, consistency is everything.
