Potty Training - Girard,IL

normal, just keep trying over and over. You may want to try him on the big potty or take off his diaper and say, "oh sit here while I go get a new diaper." Sing him songs when he sits sans diaper, give him an M&M if he sits with no diaper, or read books to him when he sits without his diaper.

Good for you for recognizing that your son is ready to begin potty training! So many people assume they are too young and then they miss the window! Prior to 1954, 80% of all children (including boys!) were potty trained by 18 months.

The first step is for them to recognize Wet and dry. Now that he knows that, you need to help him learn where the pee goes. He will quickly get the difference in what it is called if you just keep correcting him (my daughter mixed them up at your sons age too). I began working with my daughter around 17 months and she is now mostly trained during the day -2.5 months later, with her going consistently on the potty for 6 weeks. We even went to Brookfield Zoo yesterday in training pants, and she loved their little pottys for toddlers. No accidents either! I got my daughter to go before bed on a regular basis first, and then we added nap time, and then we just instituted a full on schedule --after breakfast, before we leave the house, when we come home, etc. I highly recommend buying a Potette Plus potty for when you are out. We've used it in parking lots multiple times in the past week and it is fabulous that I can respond quickly to her need to go potty. Easy (and clean) too!

What we did was do a 15 minute play session every morning in the bathroom, with her naked. So my first suggestion would be to get rid of the clothes, and have him pick out a few books to read in the bathroom with mommy. I don't think it matters when you do this play session. The most important part is to get a habit going that we go to the potty after X, and then, you need to end the session by going pee yourself and telling him what is happening. He doesn't even have to sit on the potty. It is also helpful if you pick a time when he might be ready to go, and then, when he goes, just quickly put him on the potty telling him "pee goes in potty." Just make it FUN --this will help motivate him and really peak his interest.

Go get the book Potty training Your baby by Katie Pelt from the library. I also found Early start potty training helpful. Both were at the Wheaton Public Library.

Good luck! And again, good for you for recognizing that he is ready. Be prepared for some truly frustrating days (just don't show it), and be prepared to put in some time. You can't really do a three day boot camp with a 17 month old, but if you start working now, your son can be fully trained by 2!

Hey A.,
I'd suggest waiting until he's 3 almost 4ish. If he's showing no signs its because emotionally, physically and mentally he's not ready. I've heard many stories of mom's who have managed to get their kids trained early, only to have them relapse later on. You don't want that. One time around is enough. My son is almost 5 and we waited unti he was about 3 1/2 to start and even then we had some tough times. Just be patient. It will happen when he's ready.
blessings,
J.

It seems to me that 17 months is a little too early to expect more than what he is doing--especially for a boy. Children in general don't even have enough nerve-endings in their pelvic area to perceive or control those muscles necessary for potty-training, until they are 18-months-old at the earliest.

We have 2 sons, and they didn't succeed at this business until they were 3 1/2.

Here are some resources that I hope might be helpful for you...

http://www.askdrsears.com/faq/az7.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/html/10/t106600.asp

http://www.askdrsears.com/faq/az36.asp

http://drphil.com/articles/article/264/

At this early age, perhaps you would best be helped by the practice of elimination communication?

http://www.diaperfreebaby.org/

http://www.naturalbirthandbabycare.com/elimination-commun...

http://www.mothering.com/discussions/forumdisplay.php?f=227

Best wishes,
J.

Remember that he is still young and may just not be intrested in it yet. Let him in the bathroom when you guys have to go. Let him sit on his potty in the bathroom while you go. Kids love to copy adults so this may be a good step. My son also liked having a book on the potty-so does my husband. This will also show him that he need to pull his pants down and wash his hands afterward regardless if he goes.

I had a friend who turned potty training into a game, by having her son 'dunk the fruit loop' when going potty. Not sure if this is ideal, but it made it more of a fun activity.

Try the "Once upon a Potty" book (specific to gender) and some of the other suggestions by other people posting to your message.
C.
mom of 3

don't pressure in any way as that will just cause aversion and training will take a lot longer. While people say children used to train earlier, really it was the adults who trained. If you have the discipline and time, you can put them on the potty pretty regularly and a little after they eat and can get what looks like potty training and it works. but if you in any way press, you may get a lot of push back. My daughter was trained before 2 but then unfortunately lost all interest and at 2 and a half only goes to the potty intermittently. I somewhat regret starting early as I think if I had waited longer, it would likely have been easier but then hindsight is 20/20 vision. good luck.

Sounds like he is right on track. Do not push him- he will be ready when he is ready and it is different for each kid! Make the experience fun- make sure he has his own potty or seat, get some potty books or a special toy he only gets to play with on the potty. Always keep it positive! Whatever reward works for your son, go for it. We tried everything- m&ms, treats, books, etc. Finally my mom offered to buy my son a big pirate ship toy if he could go a whole week at her house with no potty accidents. He did it and still has the pirate ship at age 10, lol! Nothing else motivated him, but that did the trick! So just be patient and don't give up or give in to peer pressure if he isn't as 'advanced'. Sounds like you're doing fine!

Dear A.,

I have found it helpful to have my husband take my son into the bathroom with him and he would automatically mimic what his dad was doing and in no time he was going to the potty all by hinself. Good luck and try this. Kids do learn my imitating.

A. I so remember when my little one was going through that and I thought it was never going to change. The trick is when trainning them don't put a diaper on because they will never know the difference of letting you know. My little one was actually trained when she was 2 1/2 because before she was not into it, that is another thing sometimes they are not ready for it, but it is ok its normal. So a friend told me to put underwear on and if she pees she will feel uncomfortable from being wet and pooping as well, sometimes they learn to pee in the toilet instead of pooping...she learned pooping in the toilet when she started daycare....but the behavior is normal talk to him a lot and explain to him the importance of going to the potty....and reward him when he does go in the toilet that helps...also sometimes reading to hom while he is on the toilet might work as well...hope this helped....

V.

Good luck! It comes with time....

Just keep doing what you're doing. Eventually, probably in another 6 months or so he'll get the hang of it!