Seeking Advice for Potty Training 3Yr. Old

My daughter had the exact same problem and was on the exact same softener as well. Fortunately, she was potty trained at 22 months and the constiaption problem cam eafter her potty training, but still was an issue. After, her first severe poop tradegy she began holding back and would end up having atleast two accidents a day. This was hard because I work so it made a mess for her daycare. I would talk her through it each time and she got special prizes every time she went #2. Eventually, we worked through it and she wasn't fearful anymore. I would definitely start trying to work with him because he is three and he knows the difference now. Be very encourgaing and rewarding to him. I would start off haveing him atleast start going pee in the potty. Because of his fears and having been in the same situation I wouldn't push him too hard on the pooping yet. Definitely, start though because the longer you wait and the older he gets the harder it's going to be for both of you. Hope this helps!

I don't know if this will help, but my daughter had trouble with the pooping part, too. She peed on the potty like a champ, but would hold in all day, just so she could wait to poop in the night-time pullup. The final solution was when I basically threw up my hands and pretended I didn't care. It had become a power struggle and I would get so frustrated and angry after sitting in the bathroom for an hour, reading every book 10 times, then the minute we'd quit, she'd poop her pants or pullup. I got to where, I'd put on the pot, but wouldn't even sit there. She'd say "I'm gonna poop," and I'd say, "whatever," or if she said, "I don't wanna poop," I'd say, "whatever."
Shortly after, when she did go in the potty, I didn't make a big thing out of it. I just acted like I expected that to happen and reminded her to flush and wash, instead of squealing with delight, singing and dancing. (That might have freaked her out or something?) It was amazingly quick and effective, with no accidents and no more pullups.
You have that extra problem with the constipation and medication, so I don't know if it will be the 'magic bullet' it was for us! Doesn't hurt to try, right?

S.

How about getting some help from a homeopath. We have had great sucess--not on this particular issue--with homeopathics.
Good Luck!
P.

Have you ever tried Bach Flower Remedies? They are just flower essences, but they are supposed to help with things like stress, fear, etc. You can find them at Vitamin Cottage or Wild Oats or Wholefoods. The people that work in the herbal aisles can tell you all about them.

R.,
I have had the same problem with my daughter who is now five! She's doing much better, so there is hope. Unfortunately, we were reduced to bribing her. I know some people give "potty treats" (a friend of mine gives one of hers chocolate), but our daughter was totally motivated by money. It didn't matter whether we gave her a penny or a dollar, she was thrilled to "earn" it and put it in her bank. Find something Jack LOVES and set it aside as a reward for going potty. Do that along with all the praise, encouragement, talking about it and asking/reminding him if he can try to go.
I would also sit in the bathroom with her for a bit of security when she wanted (I'd ask if she wanted me to come with her). I know it may sound totally ridiculous for "potty training", but for our poor babies so fearful of the pain they've had, they need all the reassurance and support we can give them.
I feel for you and understand completely! I had to keep telling myself, "She will eventually know how to do this on her own." Don't worry about how old Jack is compared to "all the other kids". They are ALL different and I'm sure Jack has some pretty awesome qualities much more important that knowing how to use the potty. ;o)
Good luck!
S.