Potty Training - Letting My Son Take the Lead - Should I Be Doing Anything More?

I think that is wonderful! Both of my daughters were a little over two when they were potty-trained. I ran with it as soon as they were interested. I couldn't wait to get them out of those diapers and put big girl underwear on them. I trained them both in training pants. i never used pull-ups for my first, but she barely had any accidents, I think I was more on top of her then. For my second I use pull-ups for naptime and bedtime. Also she spent some time regressing and had some accidents. I was not about to put her back in diapers. The pull-ups were great for that. No mess to clean so she wouldn't feel so bad if she had one. Good luck and happy potty-training.

This is a new adventure and you should be grateful that he's interested in going. My second child, was completely poty trained by the time he was 26 months. I don't think its ever TOO EARLY to start especially if they are showing signs. Make the sticker chart and be more proactive in taking him and asking him if he wants to go. I'm in my process of doing this will my third child who is 26 months. I was hoping to have him OUT of diapers completely, but another month and we should be good.

Incorporate everyone as soon as possible. My son's school is SO supportive while potty training. Its a little extra work for a little while but its a relief when they don't have to change those nasty diapers anymore. Good luck to you.

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my son was day trained by the age of 26 months. He started because he wanted to. I then took the lead with ourselves and babysitters and put him on every 2 hours or so... he loved not having a dirty diaper.. and was trained quickly.. we trained at night when he was almost 3. I've had friends who didn't go through with the training after their child said they wanted to.. and then it backfired and kids weren't trained until they were 4 or even 5!! ugh.. so with it.. don't mix him up by letting him use his diaper sometimes and toilet other times.. it will confuse him. Just ask him if he has to go after he has a drink or eats.. and see how it goes. Don't push.. but ask a lot of the time.. and put him on sometimes.. goodluck.. you'll be happier if he trains early!

I think it's great that he's showing interest...the best way to incourage this is to ask him to go potty at times when you know he'll be most likely to be successful...first thing when he wakes up morning/nap...when he's rewarded by going and a high five/hugs he'll be much more eager to keep it going. My son is 2 and 1/2 and has been potty trained for 3 months...he showed interest right around his second birthday...almost had him trained, then he stopped...so we all did , then 3 months ago he showed interest again...and in less than a week he was done. I think pull ups are great for training of the practice of going potty (and for extended periods where you may not be able to get to a potty) but once you feel your son is really getting down the idea plan to stay home for a day or so...put him in real underwear(that he picked out)and be prepared to change it 10x's in an hour..after a day(maybe 2) they've got that whole feeling down and the accidents will stop(or dramatically slow down)...good luck!!!

Hi J..
It's great if your son wants to poop on the potty or toilet. If he asks to, I would take him.
I don't believe in pullups, don't be convinced that you need these to train your child. They are a more expensive diaper that don't let your kid realize what it feels like to be wet. When you are ready to seriously train, put him in cloth diapers or cloth training pants and take him to the toilet about every hour and a half. I don't believe in taking kids early on occasion, it's like playing potty and then they don't realize that at a certain time, you mean for it to be expected behavior, so I waited til my kids were older. Working or not, it's something you need to do, and get the other caregivers on board with your plan when you are ready. It can be hard for a child to have 3 different training plans, he will need consistency when it is time. All of us who work do end up with kids who use the toilet, I promise. I never did sticker, charts or rewards because when we did training, it was just expected behavior and not something that they were doing to please me or had a choice about.
Good luck!

Continue putting him on the potty when he has to poop, eventually he will go in the potty. Its great that he is excited about it. As far as the diaper while he is standing, if he spreads his legs you can learn to put it on that way, or have a towel that you can lay him on to re diaper him, or he can walk naked into his bedroom. Pullups dont help in training and are more expensive and IMO a waste of money. The star chart seems like a good idea, but the problem comes in when to stop. If you give him a star every time he uses the toilet will you continue when he is 4, 5? And when you stop what will he think? Since he seems to love praise thats all that you need to do. Most children love to please their parents, even during the terrible twos.

Hi J., Yes, do more. encourage him, he's not gonna do it on his own. He's already telling you he want's to be a big boy like Daddy. Boys are naturally slower learners anyway. Girls are usually done by 2. Good Luck, you don't want to be the only mom with her son is Diapers.. Your a full time Mom, this is the challenge you chose, Your family is just gonna have to help. Bring his portable potty to his grandparents. Give him a book or a toy when he thinks he might have to go and sit on the tub or floor with him, keep him company and just talk. I used to hold my daughters hands when she had to poop and say squeeze my hand if it hurts mommy will help you. Then when i have to go I have her help me, now granted she's a girl but it brought that private time easier. And for years after she'll or any of the three, and say Mommy, do you want me to hold your hands?
By the way my sister and I are 46 and 47 and have 6girls and one boy. Theyre all great and no potty problems. Good luck. Carol

That is great! Congrats! It sounds like he is really ready. You might want to get him some pullups instead of diapers. If he stays dry for a few days, then let him pick out regular underwear. My son wanted to be potty trained earlier, but the daycare center doesn't potty train until 2 years old. He was completely done potty training in 2 weeks and that included bedtime. He was one of the first, because he was interested. Your son sounds like mine.

Hi J.,

It sounds like what you are doing at his age is appropriate. He knows where the toilet is and what it is for. Now he needs to learn his body's cues for using it. He is fairly young (especially for a boy) to be expected to toilet train fully, although it does happen. I agree that you should ask/prompt but don't push. Rewards probably won't mean much at this stage and your excitement should probably be reward enough for him. Encourage his sense of independence rather than his desire for a sticker (this will make it easier once he is trained NOT to have power struggles for rewards). My 2 1/2 year old rarely actually goes on the toilet but he sits on it before and after his bath at night and a few times during the day. He usually goes in his diaper a while after being on the toilet so he hasn't learned to time those cues yet, but he's recognizing them. Good luck and don't worry if it takes a while. Toilet training is a huge commitment so be prepapred!