Potty Training - Worcester,MA

Hello L.,

I've potty trained quite a few children when I was a Nanny, and it's a tough time. Children around 3 start becoming more strong willed and independent, which is great, except when you want them to do something.

At preschool, your son wants to impress his peers, so he goes easily and willingly. At home, he is digging in his heals, I would guess, because you ask him to go potty at a specific time.

I suggest you take yourself out of the equation as much as possible. Give your son a watch with a timer. Set the timer for every 45-60 minutes, and let your son know when his watch beeps, he should try to go potty. You could even give him a time window, but allowing it to be his choice.

If you think he is just not trying, it's a good idea make him clean-up his mess himself. Cause & Effect, if you don't use the potty, you must mop the floor & do your laundry, but be sure it's cause & effect, not punishment. Punishing for accidents can cause backwards steps.

Good Luck!

R. Magby

Hey L.,

I agree with the other 2 responses. This is definitely a cause for some creativity, but you should certainly not go back to diapers at home b/c you know he is fully capable of using the toilet and at home is making a "choice" not to go.

Since he has such a strong will giving him choices of when to go sounds like a good idea and giving him consequences for NOT choosing to go sounds REALLY Good! At his age I think he will quickly make the connection and hopefully make some better decisions when he is home.

My only suggestion to add to what the others said, would be to save yourself a little stress. If he is sitting down when these accidents occur I would make him sit on a towel. This way it is not your carpert, bed, floor etc. that gets messed up and there is a easier clean up for you while he goes through this learning process.

I would much rather throw a towel in the washer than be scrubbing the couch from pee. Just my thoughts. I hope things work out.

keep him in the undies and stick to it. make him help you clean up the messes. don't give in when he cries for a diaper. tell him it's going to be just like daycare, no more diapers, he's a big boy. ask the daycare providers for their input on what works with him. my daycare provider has been a wealth of information. if he's doing it for them, he can do it for you. which means you need to change your tactics. good luck!