Potty Training Regression - Miamisburg,OH

I think it's reasonable to allow him to back off until he's ready for the ongoing responsibility. I'd give him messages like, "You know, I was so happy when we didn't have to keep changing your diapers and cleaning you up. And I'm sure you will want to be potty trained just as soon as you realize how much quicker and easier it is to use the potty instead of getting changed over and over. Let me know next time you want to try the potty, okay?"

And let it go. It will affirm your confidence in your son's native wisdom about what he can handle. It will affirm your dedication to giving him control of this important function. And it will affirm your cheerful support of his growing independence. I'll bet once he gets all of that from you, it won't be long before he goes back to using the potty.

It will be less work for you, less stress for you both. And when kids are ready both emotionally and physically for this developmental step, bribes are not needed, just smiles and congratulations.

My fear would be that if you "back off" and allow him back in diapers, than next time he will know that if he just has enough accidents he can get you to give in to what he wants. 27 months is not too early if he was showing signs, my oldest trained at 18 months for the same reason, his older friend was. It is up to you, but I would hold my ground if you already have him in big boy undiers, and only allow pullups at night.

Once you start never go back. No pull ups and it's not a choice whether he wants to go. Just say it's time to go sit on the potty and take him. Sit by him if he won't stay and then set a timer and start over and every 15-30 minutes take him. Continue on and don't make it a battle but just say the timer went off so it's time and take him. When he sees it's not just a short term thing and that he is not the one deciding if he goes or not he should be find as he already can do it. There should be no accidents doing it this way if you set a timer and are consistent but if there are just say next time you'll do better and don't make it a war.

I would not go back!! I would keep up the positive reinforcement. You know he knows how to go and when to go, so give him some incentive. We bought a toy and put it where our son could see it. If he peed, he got it. If he had an accident, he had to put it back. it worked like a charm!! And even at day care too. Stickers also work. My son took 4 months to get the pooping part down. My husband took a toy everytime he pooped in his pants and when his toys were almost gone, he got it! Dont give up though!