Potty Training Help! - Ann Arbor, MI

Have you tried leaving him alone on the potty instead of standing there watching him? My boy is entering potty training age (I hope!) and my co-worker said that giving him some control and privacy may work (as it worked for her child). She said that when she was in the bathroom, her child wouldn't do anything, and then would poop-on-self 10 minutes later. When left alone (I'll be back in a little while, call me if you need me) in the bathroom (but in the next room and listening) her child found consistent poop success.

Good luck!

There is only one thing I can think of that you haven't tried that may work for him. Take him to the store, and let him pick out new underwear- his favorite character or whatever he really loves. Some kids are so proud of their new underwear that they don't want to get them dirty. You may want to play it up a bit and talk about not getting Spiderman (or whatever) dirty. Hopefully that helps! Good luck!

My friend was in the same boat, you are not alone. Find womething he loves more than you! Her son loves Thomas the train. She bought him a train and put it where he could see it and told him he could not have it until he went for a week. She also bought him thomas undies which he loved. If he had an accident in them she made him throw them away. He was also very stubborn. When he goes on the potty make an announcement to the whole family. Make a song "Tommy used the potty, he is a big boy, Tommy used the potty," something like that, sing, dance make it the highlight of the day! hope I could help - M.

I don't know what to tell you but when you figure it out let me know. My 3 year old won't poop at all in the potty yet. He has 3 times, all three times have been with me, while I sat on the floor next to him. Everyone else he has lived with (we live with Mamaw and papaw and uncle) and his teachers (who are again new since school started but the same school and all from last year that he ASKED to go back to) at school all sit with him but he will get up and two minutes later go in his pants...he use to go twice a day...now he goes a few days in a row and then holds it for 3 to 4 days!!! I too have tried all of the above. He is peeing fine and almost has nights down to an art also. Pooping, I heard it's a hard thing to get down but he KNOWS when he's going and he knows it's easier to go on the potty...He CHOOSES to go in his pants!! He even ENJOYS cleaning up his own poop!! So that didn't so much work for us, it actually back fired! I have no clue! Best wishes, sorry for not helping, just wanted to let you know you weren't the only one with a 3 year old not using their potty skills that they obviously have!

I'm not sure what to tell you about your son not going only at home, but I can tell you what worked for us on the pooping angle. We read or heard somewhere that as his parents we needed to find something that he values ALOT!!! It's a hit/miss, but you'd be surprised. It can be anything! For my son, who just started pooping in the potty a week ago, it was "Daddy's candy". My husband loves gummy dinosaurs. My son wanted some. We told him that only after he poops in the potty, can he have some. The first couple of accidents, he thought he could have some. But, he soon got it. He has been peeing for several months, but no poop accidents for a week. I don't understand it, but it does take longer to get the pooping down. Good luck.
K.

i am having the same trouble and haven't found a single thing that works.

You're right, this is a control issue. He likes having the power to decide when and where.

Let him have power over one other aspect of his life such as snack time or what show he wants to watch on TV, and it should correct itself after a few weeks.

Good luck.