Potty Training Help - Austin, TX

Updated on March 11, 2008
A.C. asks from Austin, TX
53 answers

My son is 3 yrs old and will be 4 in October. He does not want to go potty. I have him in pull ups and he will go sit on the potty (LOVES to do that) but wont go. I have gotten him to poo a couple of times which he was so proud of and he has gone pee a few times at school but thats it. He tells me mama i gotta go potty and then just sits their for one minute and then says im done i want off. When i try to sit with him and talk about it he freezes up and gets upset and doesnt want to talk about it. He also sometimes understands where the "stuff" come out at but then he doesnt or acts like he doesnt know. I am really pulling my hair out. I dont know what to do. HELP!!

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So What Happened?

Thanks to everyone for your wonderful advice!! I have tried many of the methods suggested but I think the pull ups and a lack of a FULL on effort has hindered my progress. I am on a mission this weekend. Time for mama to step up and get it done!

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E.H.

answers from San Antonio on

We kept a jar of M&Ms next to the potty as a reward. (out of reach but in full view) It worked great!!! Even if it was 6:30am...she got M&Ms for going potty. She loved it.
Hope this helps.

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D.W.

answers from Sherman on

I got some blue toilet cleaner . it comes in a two pack at walmart cheap ! my 7 and 3 1/2 year old ( recently trained ! yeah! finally) love to make the blue water , GREEN if you get my drift ... try it I had a lot of success It has been a whole month dry!

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S.L.

answers from Beaumont on

You may want to try putting him in underware once he gets up in the morning and not put them back on till bed time. I have even hidden the pull ups and told my daughter we did not have any more. She is now going all day in her big girls and has made it the last two nights sleeping in panties and no accidents.....good luck S.

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L.C.

answers from Houston on

If he can sit on a training potty, try putting it in the bathtub and have him sit on the potty while you run warm water filling the tub. Sounds of running water and feet getting wet trigger correct response. Worked on my daughter. I used How to Toilet train in Less than a Day book too, on son first and daughter second. Got the job done in a month of progressively fewer accidents, both at age 24 mos, but the "practice" sessions in that book were invaluable. You practice the correct habit of running to potty, pulling down pants, sitting 10 times for each accident---that way it overwrites 10 correct responses for every OOps, and the correct response is remembered. We made the practice sessions so much fun with the dog running with us and all the kids--playing pretend you feel pee coming--laughing all the way and no pressure to actually go when you get there. Wholly agree--forget the pullups--glorified diaper contrary to what you are teaching. Kids are 9 and 7 now.

Americans are so spoiled by disposable diapers--I don't buy the "child will do it when ready" notion. Ladies, believe it or not, tribal women have their babies potty trained at 6 weeks!!! They train to a sound mama makes and takes baby off her back and cradles them over appropriate place to go (probably in some weeds since heaven forbid there are no Pampers). Humans do not like to be dirty--from birth. Read about this in To Train Up a Child by Michael and Debbie Pearl. Debbie actually successfully trained her children this way after witnessing women on mission trips naturally training their kids from birth. What we do in US is against natural instincts and probably causes some weird emotional hangups. Allowing a child to decide whether to potty train is completely surrendering your position of authority as the parent--have fun when the kid becomes a teenager and wants to decide on his own to take drugs knowing that he completely usurped his parents control at age 3.

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H.G.

answers from Houston on

My son was VERY hard to train. He was afraid and stressed about it.

I finally adopted a very casual attitude and said nothing about pottying for 2 weeks. Then I bought a toy he really wanted and put it on top of the refrigerator and said nothing about it at all. Of course he noticed the toy and wanted it. I took it down and "read" the box to him and said "oh, this toy is for boys who use the potty." I said nothing else about him or potties.

2 days later he started pottying and got the toy. He was so proud. He reverted back about a week later and I took the toy away and just said "well, you know what the box says." I said nothing about him or his accidents. He immediately went back to pottying.

When he was good and trained, we went to chuck e. cheese (as promised) with a little friend who also had just trained. We had the employees annouce over the loud speaker that our boys were "big boys who now use the potty." Chuck came and gave them a high five and they got a free token. I know that sounds corny, but they loved it and we went at about 11 AM during school hours one day so it wasn't crowded and only preschoolers with understanding moms were there.

Desperate times call for desperate measures! But don't worry, he'll get there. I know it seems impossible but one day you will have boy who potties with no assistance!

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C.B.

answers from Austin on

My (at the time) 3 year old did not like going to potty. I had a very difficult time. I got a potty book. . ."Once Upon a Potty" by Alona Frankel. We read our book all the time. Then when he did go I would give him a tootsie roll or M & M as positive re-enforcement. It seemed like it took forever, especially since my 8 year old was potty trained before he was three.

I hope that helps.

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J.T.

answers from Houston on

My son was the same way. It drove me nuts. I talked to my pediatrian. She said to have something for him to put is feet on so that he does not feel like he is going to fall in and some "reading" material. That way there is a reason to be in the bathroom. With my son we bought him some comics of his favorite super heroes and told him that the only time he could look at them was when he went potty. It worked miracles. Is was potty trained in a week. But remember ALL kids potty train at their pace, not ours. As example my daughter was fully potty trained by 2 1/2. So they are all different. Hope this helps and good luck!

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L.N.

answers from Houston on

A.,

I am in the same boat. Mine will be 4 in August and he could just care less about it.

Please let me know if you get any great suggestions.

L.

____@____.com

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S.C.

answers from Houston on

M & M's worked for us. 3 m&m' for Pee Pee and 5 m&m's for Poo Poo!

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K.L.

answers from Austin on

Hi A.,

This is a tough one but I have a great answer for you. I have potty trained 4 kids (3 boys and 1 girl) over the years and all been great! First, I would take him to the store and have him buy his very own "cool" undies. They HAVE to be spidey or superman or something that he picks out and that he is totally into. Then go down the candy aisle and buy a candy he LOVES (m&ms, skittles) something small that he can have one or two of at a time. However, this is only going to work if you limit the candy intake you currently give him. (It will work best if you don't normally give him this or any candy as a treat). Then place them open in a tightly sealed container directly on the back of the toilet where he can see them every time he makes potty. Then, when he goes potty (AND ONLY WHEN HE ACTUALLY DOES IT) give him 1 candy for pee and 1 candy for poop! Make a HUGE deal out of it when it happens! I agree about getting rid of the pull ups too....he will feel more like a big boy in "cool" undies! However, I think spanking for this just teaches them that Mom has not patients in the world. Good luck and be consistant and strong!

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S.V.

answers from Sherman on

You've probably heard this from a number of other moms now, but get rid of the pullups! They are just a crutch and no better than diapers. Especially w/a boy, they will not quit using the convenience of just being able to go when they want unless they feel the consequences. I tried for 3 or 4 months to train my little boy (he was not quite 2 when I started) and it never worked w/the pullups. When he was 27 months, I quit using the pullups and put regular underwear on him and he was trained in 2 weeks. Granted we had our share of accidents after that, but he was potty-trained. I also used a reward chart that he got to put a sticker on when he used the potty appropriately. I have talked to so many other moms who had the same experience - they will never get trained using pullups. Go to regular underwear and let him pick out the ones he wants (i.e. spiderman, cars, superman).

Good luck and God Bless!
S.

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L.L.

answers from Houston on

I am the owner of a Learning center, so we see many things, all normal. 1) Do not use the pull ups. They are the same as the diaper, they do not know the difference. Put him in 'big boy' underpants. If he urinates in them it will be uncomfortable and he will not like the feeling. A few times and he will get the idea. Same with a bm, they are old enough to not like the feel. You may want to use pull up at nights, because they have accidents even when they are good through the day.
2) Have an incentive plan. My sister used M&M's with her son. Everytime he used the toilet her received a few M&M's. Be carefull however, check, my nephew figured out about every hour to say he 'went' for the M&Ms. Use what works for your son, gummy bears, fruit jellys, etc.
3) Every, Every time he uses the toilet, get excited, and praise him, even if it takes until he is off to college, until he just goes and doesn't tell you anymore.
4) Start at home on the weekend so when he goes to daycare on Monday he has a pattern started. and, tell the teachers what you are doing and what they should do to help. Trust me, they want your son out of diapers-pullups as much as you do.
5) take lots of extra bottoms and shirts to the day care, in the begining there will be accidents. & Good Luck - L.

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M.S.

answers from San Antonio on

have you thought about trying to get him to go outside? We did "Nature pee" where I let my son go outside. It was more interesting for him. The other thing was I kept a bag of skittles in the kitchen and every time he went on the potty he got one skittle. I reallly worked. Good luck.

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J.A.

answers from Houston on

A.,

Try letting him go outside. Both my boys and all of my nephews started that way, they thought it was great fun to pee on a tree or in the back yard.

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L.B.

answers from Sherman on

just keep at it, but believe me i have one that turned 4 last nov. it took us stopping to ask and he went to school and poof it happened! never looked back...dont worry about his age...boys are slow! i have three

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J.B.

answers from Houston on

If your child likes books, read to him while he is on the potty. My little girl loved it...it took her mind off of where she was and what she was doing!

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M.P.

answers from McAllen on

A.,

My kids are older now, but I do remember sitting most of the day in the kitchen getting them potty trained. I also potty trained my neice, so I know this works.

A Saturday or Sunday (or which ever full day you have) set up the kitchen with a portable potty chair or the bathroom with a potty seat insert for him. Then set up his favorite toys, games, books, even t.v. if you can! Buy his favorite drinks and snacks. Block off the open exits from the kitchen. You're set!

Then give him as much to drink and eat as he wants. Put him in some underware, and then wait!

This takes a lot of time, but it works. They need to go about 3 - 4 times throughout the day, so that it clicks. And of course, praise him every time. (don't do gifts or prizes, because he will be upset later when he doesn't receive them)

Hope this helps.

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M.R.

answers from Austin on

My daughter would do the same thing she would say I'm done. Just distract him by grabbing a book and make it really exciting. I sang to her "my girl wants to potty all the time, potty all the time" you know the real words my girl wants to party all the time... Well she would get so distracted with singing then she would eventually go potty and then of course we would make the big production and call Grandma and the whole nine yards.

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C.S.

answers from Victoria on

My friend let her son stand in the tub to pee. The kid loved it because he was scared of the potty. This allowed him to get trained to the idea of at least not going in his pants. Outdoors he would go any where. Then she took him out and he realized that stores don't have tubs and he didn't want to go in his pants and be icky all day, so he went on the potty. she said after that, he was ok with going on the potty, but still prefers to go outside. Thank goodness they live in the country. My other friend used the cereal as targets for the pee pee. With my daughter I rewarded her with sprays of little girl perfume and for poo poo - lip gloss. One week of no accidents = nail polish on fingers & toes. This was the best because she could show everyone her success. Unfortunately that doesn't quite work for boys. Sorry. My son is turning 2 and I'm getting ready to start and have yet to figure out what his motivation will be. I will tell you this though, once I knew my daughter could go on the potty, but was choosing not too, well I had to give her extra motivation to prevent her from being lazy. I took away her priviledge of chocolate milk. She would pee, but not poo on the potty all the time. So I told her that if she pooped on the potty she could have chocolate milk until she pooped in her pants, then she couldn't have it again until she went on the potty. She tested me for 3 days straight she went in her pants and couldn't talk me into giving her cocolate milk. After that we have been accident free.

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L.M.

answers from Waco on

I have 2 boys they are 14 and 9 I found letting them water the plants outside in the back yard was fun and it helped with both potty training and the plants. Number 1 was easy this way and once we got them used to going that way number 2 just started happening. Hope it helps.

L.

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J.W.

answers from El Paso on

Try giving him a book to look at when he is on the potty. This will keep him there longer.
I had a lot of trouble with my younger son and I set a kitchen timer to go off every 15 minutes. We'd go to the potty and sit. If nothing happened we'd wait 15 more minutes. If he went potty he got big applause, a sticker, and I set the timer for 1 hour. It's very time consuming, but it worked for me. Good Luck.

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J.K.

answers from Houston on

Hey there! Don't be frustrated...buy the book "Toilet training in less than a day" from Amazon or whatever and follow it perfectly. It may not happen in a day, but maybe a few days...block your entire week...stay home, take vacation, whatever, and really focus on what the book says, the timing and the order of things. It is a GREAT method and has worked for me two times and MANY of my friends, as well. In fact, not one has tried it and failed. Good luck to you! :)

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A.P.

answers from Longview on

My mom teaches at a Christian school and one year she decided to do the 2 year old NONE of which was potty trained! She would put cherrios in the potty (so they could practice aim too haha) and let them put a star up by there name EVERYTIME they went... so it was like they were getting rewarded and it was exciting for them... you may want to try that. My son will be 2 Sunday and he has already gone potty on his "cereal" a couple of times -- and he thinks its just so funny.
Hope that helps!

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L.R.

answers from Houston on

i remember when my son went, I would encourage him to leave it there and come get me so I can see it. When nothing was there I told him it was fun. Or made it seem like I was a little sad that there wasn't a "suprise" waiting there for me. I feel it made him want to do it so I would be happy. I know it sounds corney but it seemed to have worked. Good luck!

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C.G.

answers from Houston on

My youngest son had no interest in being potty trained. Sat on the potty and held it until he got his diaper back on. One day he was at my sisters house and the kids were swimming in her pool. He got out of the pool and asked her to put a diaper on him because he had to pee. She said no way go find a tree. That was it. He was potty trained. Maybe your son needs a tree. I do know you can't force a kid to be potty trained. I was a young first time mom with my older son and my sister in law who was watching him at the time forced him to be potty trained. He had bathroom problems for years after that. He'll go in the potty when he's ready. God Bless!

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V.W.

answers from Houston on

My son was hard to potty train. I discussed it with his pediatrician and he told me that little boys sometimes have a fear of going in the toilet. The commode and the noise could be very intimidating to them. This may sound crazy but, I also read somewhere that they may have an innate fear that their private part will fall off.

It may take some time to get him to open up but ask him about his fears. I talked to my son about his and it actually helped. I let him know that it was okay and that if he needed me I was right oustside the door.

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R.B.

answers from San Antonio on

Wow! you sound exactly how I was a month ago. My son is 3 (he will be 4 in August). I had started "potty training" when he was 2 1/2, so I have been potty training for about a year. I was so frustrated because I am not with him during the day and my husband would just keep him in a pull up. He said that it was easier to do that so he didn't have to worry about my son having an accident in the car seat. I felt like I was battling this alone because my husband wasn't helping and my son would do the exact same thing your son is doing. When I asked my son's doctor he just handed me a brochure on potty training. So what did I do????? I took off work and dedicated a entire week to just potty training. I didn't leave the house!!! I woke up the first morning (when he was still in a pull up) and asked him to run around the house. Then when I got him dressed I let him pick out his underwear. Then I asked him to run around the house again and said "Oh Troy, you run sooo much faster without your pull up" and made a HUGE deal about how fast he ran. Then every hour on the hour I would have him sit on the toilet. While he was sitting I would read him a new book that he picked out (I bought about 10 of them at the Goodwill Store that he had picked out and I hadn't read to him yet). Then I explained to him that if he went potty on the toilet he could pick out a new toy out of the "Potty Party Box" It had a bunch of cheap toys in it (Stickers, Happy Meal toys that he didn't open, toys he had forgot about, ect.) And there was a Big toy in the potty party box that I told him he could have if he went poop on the toilet. (Yes, I'm typing a story, because I understand where your coming from). Then I had a piece of construction paper. One side of it said "I did it" the other side said "I tried". Then depending on the outcome of his potty time he could put a sticker on the construction paper. Just remember that the first 4 days you will feel like you are getting NOWHERE!! Then all of a sudden he will tell you "Mommy I went" It will be the happiest day of your life!!! OH! I almost forgot... if you are going somewhere tell him "We cant leave until you go potty" or "You can't play until you try" If he gives you a hard time just say "Hurry, so we can go." When he does finally go on the toilet, make it a HUGE deal. Then call your family and have him tell them and have them make it a huge deal. Make sure he hears you praise him in front of people. JUST REMEMBER, YOU ARE HUMAN AND YOU WILL FEEL LIKE YOU ARE NOT MAKING PROGRESS, BUT YOU ARE!!! If my kiddo did it in 7 days, then there's hope for your's.
R.'

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J.L.

answers from Houston on

Try M&Ms. I give one for pee and 2 for poop.

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M.L.

answers from San Antonio on

There seems to be much debate about the effectiveness of a book that I used in the early 80's: "Toilet Training in Less than a Day." by Nathan Azrin. It is still available on amazon at a very reasonable price, new or used. If you take the advise from the book, and meld it with your own personality with your child, I think it is highly successful. There are readiness activities that I feel are essential....and there is modeling "heroes" that is valuable if your child has heroes. I agree we didn't have it down in a day....but we did in a couple of weeks, and way more success than regression. Their advise is a concentrated effort, but I think worth it.

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H.F.

answers from San Angelo on

You have gotten some good advice, but mine is to leave it alone for now and try again later. My nephew was five and "informed" his parents that he would be potty trained on his birthday. There was a lot going on in the family and it was his way of remaining the "baby." He will be ready soon enough...my two and a half year old is driving me crazy, but I know that he is not ready and no matter what i have tried, nothing works. One day he will just decide it's time. Encourage the teachers to let him go at school...it could become habit then.

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J.L.

answers from San Antonio on

I don't have a lot of personal experience, but I'm getting geared up to start training my daughter and since I'm a first time mom I get a lot of advice...Yesterday a lady told me that when she was training her son to go he refused to sit and go on the potty- he finally told her he wanted to stand because that's what daddy does. Just thought I'd pass that along. Maybe he sees other boys at school doing that? And you've probably already tried that..

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M.T.

answers from Houston on

Praise, praise, praise,+ reward: With my son we made a chart and every time he completed the process. We made a big fuss, telling hime what a good job he was doing, and we let him put a sticker on the chart. It took alot of time to work with him. Be cosistent.

M. and Scott

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K.J.

answers from Austin on

Our son didn't go "p" or poopy until he turned 4. He had no interest so we didn't push him, even though I wanted to. One day he decided to go poopy and he did. I baked a cake and we had a "poopy party". He loves cake! The next week he decided he wanted to go "pp" and he did and every since then he was potty trained. Yes, I baked a cake and we had a "pp" party. We didn't do pull ups, (mostly because they are so expensive), and we let him pick out "big boy underwear". We suffered through a few missaps, he didn't like dirty underwear. Another thing was that we talked about being a "big boy" and be like daddy. Good luck and be patient. It is not a very fun time, but once they get potty trained, it is so nice for everyone. Hang in there.

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J.F.

answers from Beaumont on

I have 2 boys and both potty trained one at 2 yrs and 3 months and the other about 3 yrs and 2 months .... My suggestion is no pull ups....this takes patients and clean up, but hopefully not for long, I tries pull ups but even on my daughter,they did not work, just gave them another option! Good luck and God Bless...Shouldn't take to long, as long as you didnt give in,,,,,,I did not even use them at night and out of 3 children, no bed wetters..

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A.W.

answers from Beaumont on

A. C, this may sound a little strange...but it is a lot of fun for a little boy to aim at and hit the cherrios or fruit loops in the "big potty". They seem to want to go pee a lot. Just be sure you supervise the amount of cherrios to be put into the "big potty"... If he is too short for the "big potty" a little step stool works well. from A.

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P.B.

answers from San Antonio on

I struggled with my son during the Potty training experience, then I stopped stressing, taped a page from his coloring book to the inside of the Lid of the toilet and sat him down to face the coloring page and gave him crayons, he sat there so relaxed to color that he went potty without stress or thinking about it. When he did go, we had a celebration, got a treat and took him off.
Try it and see if it works. Less stress for you and your son and it works!

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T.P.

answers from San Antonio on

Lose those pull ups!! My son would not use the potty as long as he wore pull ups. They are like diapers and absorb the moisture and don't let the child feel the wetness or the messy poop.

I spent one weekend at home and he wore underwear. He had a few accidents and discover he did not like the way he felt in the soiled underwear. He was quick to discover that it felt better to stay dry and clean.

Make sure you let your son pick his big boy underwear makes a big difference too.

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C.W.

answers from Houston on

we our teaching our daughter through dolls (making them tell us when they have to go and using "pretend" potties) and videos we find on youtube.com. sounds crazy but it works. go to youtube.com and in the search, type in "once upon a potty". it's a silly and very odd video but it features a boy who learns to potty. maybe it will help! my friend's little boy was excited to learn he could stand up to go potty, like his dad. i know your situation is a bit different but it there a man in your world you could trust to show him how boys do it? i'll keep you in my thoughts! good luck.

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T.G.

answers from San Angelo on

Potty training is different for every child. So don't stress out about the fact that other children are already trained. Just focus on your child. When he is on the potty don't talk about going potty. Try talking about other things or sing a little song or read a book. That way he can relax,as you know you have to relax in order " to go". Another thing you might try when you are at home is to put him in regular underwear. That way when he goes, it is very uncomfortable for him ( and you)For some kids ,that's all it takes. Another thing some kids will work for is " Under-roos" underwear that have their favorite cartoon characters on them. Tell him that only big boys get to wear them. So if he can go in the potty without having very many accidents he gets the priviledge of wearing them..otherwise he will have to wear " baby" pull-ups.
tess

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A.H.

answers from Sherman on

I had the exact SAME problem!!! I finally realized that the problem was the pull ups!! I took those off my son and 1 week later, he was using the potty on his own!!!

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L.S.

answers from Victoria on

I don't know if this will help, but when we started potty training my 2 year old boy he wouldn't go on the potty so we poured a cup of warm water over his "weenie". The warm sensation made him relax and after doing that a few times he got the idea. Now the problem is just getting him to tell us when he needs to go.

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J.H.

answers from San Antonio on

A great book and video "Once Upon a Potty" by Frankel, a mother, was a help for my son. My son didn't potty train until he was about 2 1/2. For my first daughter, who was very verbal, I got her "Big girl pants" right after she turned 2. I had her call everyone we knew so she could tell them, "I wear big girl pants" and they all praised her. I never used food or treats. She was totally potty trained at night and everything three days later. She's now 11. I tried the same thing with my son with no success, I tried bribing him with a toy, I tried taking him to the potty every 2 hours. My son and I were both getting exasperated. I stopped all efforts and got the book and video "Once Upon a Potty". I let him watch the movie and I read the book to him as many times as he wanted and just changed his diaper with no emotion. A few days later he asked to use the potty and in less than a week he was potty trained. With my other daughter I casually told her I'd buy her a Barbie if she went pee and poop in the potty. This was about 3 weeks before her 2nd birthday. She went straight to work and in less than a week she was potty trained with no accidents during the day or night. You never know what method is going to work with your child. The nice thing about the "Potty" book I mentioned is that it tells kids that going potty is nothing new; they've been peeing and pooping since they were born, now they just need to do it in the potty instead of their diaper. Hope this helps. Good luck!

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J.K.

answers from Houston on

ditto the peeing on the trees comment! for some reason boys love it!

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K.D.

answers from San Antonio on

Boys LOVE target practice....Put Fruit Loops or CHeerios in the bowl, and have him try and squirt the cereal. Sounds really weird, but I read it in a book, and it worked for my 2 boys.

Also, a very small reward for trying, and maybe 2 for success, such as stickers, an M&M candy...Whatever works.

Pull-ups I've found almost make the process worse!! Let him help pick out COOL 'big boy' underwear at Target, or something. You may have to suck up a few accidents over a weekend, but usually that wet feeling is more motivation for them,than a comfy Pull up.

Good Luck.
K. (mom of 2 boys & 1 little girl)

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N.P.

answers from San Antonio on

I had a hard time with both of my sons when they were small, and then someone suggested using a tin coffee can. I put it next to the toilet, and they thought it was so cool because of the noise it made I guess. At any rate I had a very easy time keeping them from peeing in their pants. Good luck.

PS. My boys are now 22 and 18, and they stopped using the tin can many years ago. haha

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J.C.

answers from San Antonio on

Not sure if anyone else has already suggested this (because I haven't read the other 28 responses) but as a mother of 5, I swear by the methods in the book whose title is something like "How to potty train your child in 1 day", ask a local librarian, I'm sure he/she will be able to find the book for you. It was a life-saver!!!!!! It really worked with my kids!
Jenna

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A.H.

answers from San Antonio on

The best thing for us was just putting our 2.5yr. old son in an underwear at all times excapt sleeping. Pull ups are the same as a diaper to a child so they do not see the need to tell you they have to use the bathroom or use it when they feel it's coming, because it's more convenient to go in there pull up. Once they realize there in an underwear there is no back up sure there will be accidents, but it's so worth it. Good luck!

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M.M.

answers from Houston on

A. My boys are all adults now but I had trouble potty training my first one too. Finally I found a Male family member who was willing to take him to the potty., and show him how men do it and after that I had no problems. He was pottyy trained almost imediatly. My other boys went with their older brother and were potty trained by the time they were2 years old./

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A.P.

answers from Austin on

Don't think I'm gross - just try it - it worked for us!

Next time you have to go potty, take your son with you. When you sit down, tell him "Listen, mommy's peepee is going to make a silly noise!" then put your hand to your ear, make sure he's listening and interested, then pee. When you both hear the pee in the potty - giggle and say - "Did you hear it? That's so fun!" Then tell him - "Hey - can you make the silly noise?" and have him give it a try. Then, as you continue to have him try at different times, when he's wanting to get off, put your hand to your ear again and say, "Listen....can you hear it yet?" and wait. When he does go - giggle and make a fuss - high five - the whole corny nine yards.

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L.A.

answers from Houston on

Hi...I don't know if you have a father or brother that is willing to help. My husband started taking our son to the bathroom with him. Within 2 days, he was fighting when I tried to put diapers on him (9 months old), he got the idea immediately. lots of luck

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N.W.

answers from Houston on

I don't have a son but I remember my mother had a similar problem with my younger brother. You don't mention any male influences around and it sounds like you are having your son sit to go pee? First you might try having another male (whom you trust, of course) showing your boy how "big boys" go pee. Second, if you don't have any of those and you're on your own, make a game out of it. Using a pencil, eyebrow pencil, pen whatever works, draw a target on a square of tp. Float it in the toilet and have him aim, shoot and sink. If you do try this, you might want to put old towels around on the floor - little boys don't always have the best aim. Maybe you'd have better luck having him use the potty using one of these tactics. Once my brother got the hang of being a "big boy," he felt very mature and there were no more problems.
Good luck with whatever you decide.
Nia

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L.E.

answers from Austin on

We have an Elmo video that helped my daughter with going to the potty called Elmo's Potty Time. Also reading a book while he's using the potty might help. Good luck. I remember the frustration but soon it'll be a distant memory;)

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A.V.

answers from Houston on

I have a 2 yrs old daughter and when she want to go I give her a book to read or something. Then I would wash my hand or wash the sink. I then check on her and sometime the sound of water would work.

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