Potty Training - Pearland, TX

I purchased a boy's urinal "Peter Potty" for my youngest (2). My older (3) was EZ, but my youngest son doesn't like to be "told" so I gave him a choice. This solved our problem. He is very stubborn and this helped us get over his fits of defiance.

Best advice: Don't use pull-ups. Use training pants. The uncomfortable feeling helps the child associate potty in the pants to potty in the toilet.

You might try a "break" w/ your son and try again in another week or 2. That's what I did w/ both my boys. We watched videos and read books, let him go w/ Daddy and me to potty in the meantime til we were ready to start again. I use a time schedule (q 15 min)the first day and then lengthen the times in between to where eventually he tells me. It also helps to do this when you have a couple days w/o interruptions so you can be home.
My boys didn't respond to incentives, they responded to the "BIG BOY" praises big time. It also helps to plan a quick outing (store/park) and to get him to use potty before trip, while out (very exciting to my boys) and of course when we get home. This really helped my boys understand to use the potty independently.
NOte: I still use diapers at nite for my youngest since it's been a month and my oldest uses pull-ups at nite and is staying dry!

Good luck to you and yours. Stay patient and remember to praise, praise, praise. Especially while he helps clean up his accidents...

Hey you may have already heard it but since I'm a principal of a private school that has a toddler room, I can tell you I've seen it all. Most children have a certain time for potty training that comes alot earlier than we realize. We actually should start training as soon as the child first notices that big people go on the potty. It sounds like your son was a little late getting started but regardless, the way to handle it now is to just go. There isn't a choice and as parents be very consistant . Before you leave to go anywhere he goes potty, before napping he goes, before going outside he goes, children will always say they don't have to go if you ask. Don't ask, just do. Tell him he needs to try even if he says no. More times than not they go once they sit there a minute. Have a favorite book or something to talk about near the potty. He actually will eventually be happy to keep you there once he realizes he has a captive audience, but that's okay those moments will only last for so long so enjoy the break. He's probably not lazy just doesn't want to be bothered to stop playing or doing whatever he was doing. But above all don't make a big deal over accidents this gives them power and is one of the few things children realize they can control that really bugs us he figures that one out and you'll really be looking for advice. Good luck and keep your patience, this to shall pass.

I myself am at the same spot with my son although he won't turn 3 until October 14th. However I have found that when he wears underpants around instead of pullups he does better b/c with the pull ups on he seems to be more lazy. Thanks

My son just turned 3 in march and this past christmas my baby sitter to break and my mother kept him for me. I am not sure what kind of floors you have but... what me mother did was put in in underwear and let him pee on himself. He did not like that. It took a total of 2 days and it was done. And very rarely does he potty in the bed at night. Good Luck!!

I don't really have advice, but just know you're not alone! My husband and I have tried everything to get our 3 year old to use the potty, all to no avail. Our pediatrician says he'll go when he's ready and not to pressure him too much. We have some friends that had their son change his own (pee pee)pull-up diapers and swear that's what did the trick. We're thinking of trying that next. Anyway, I know it's not advice, but sometimes it's nice to know others are going through the same thing!

A.

Here is one option: Put him on a schedule. For example, every two hours he sits on the potty for ten minutes. It took two weeks of catering to this schedule, but my daughter was 100% potty trained before her 2nd birthday.

Option two: Purchase this toy at Walmart. It is a miniature sponge encased in a pill-size capsule. They are less than $1 and come in car and dinosaur shapes. Drop them in the toilet bowl and have him aim and try to hit it as a game. I know it sounds strange, but my nephew became a sharp shooter.

No matter what, do not give up!

I was having potty training problems with my son to he turned 3 in october as well and it is all about there own pace one day it will just happened but if you haven't already tried it throw some cheerios in the potty and get him to sink them it will make it fun and he will be wanting to do more often.

You need to leave him be. Your son is still young, he will do this on his own time. The more you make an issue out of it, the longer it will take. Make a big deal when he does use the potty, and the rest of the time just use his pull ups. I am a mom of three boys, they are all different. Good luck and relax.

From my experience with 2 children one 8 yrs and one 3 years, all children are different.

Both my children did potty train quickly. However,I am a true believer of incentives. Some people don't believe in them but I swear by them.

I kept a small closable item on the top the toilet that included treats. For my son it was a race car that held individual "Smarties". For my daughter is was a heart shaped tin that held kisses.

Evertime they made it in the patty or even close (if they were running to obviously try to make it) They got a treat. The other thing... with our son, I made my husband take our son to the bathroom as ofter as possible with him especially if we were out. You will see that your children do exactly what you do. (Not only in potty training, but everything! That is a whole different catagory!)

There are also tons of potty books. We picked them up at consignment stores and half price books. Read them over and over to your kids.

If you don't beleive in the treats, try making a homemade reward chart just for the potty with fun stickers.

Also, with my daughter we got the talking Elmo with potty. Something like "Elmo learns to go potty". The toy is about $18.00 and there is an "Elmo goes potty" book. Both are available at Toys R US. I bet you could find them at a consignment store as well.

Last bit of advice is... it takes being a disciplined parent too. Even if you are too tire or don't want to stop what you are doing, you got make the effort when they ask for your help.

Also, be patient and give lots of praise for even trying to get to the potty. The praise will go a long way... kids of all ages NEED praise; even for things they are EXPECTED to do.... (And that's what our new family therapist told us just last week!)

LOTS of LUCK!