OT - Potty training tips.....

[Skyw]

We waited until my DS was a little over 2.5 years old. Nothing worked......until I discovered MM"S. I gave him one for trying and two for mission accomplished. After we could go tinkle, we moved to #2. Then a week later, on to nights. I agree with all of the posters....he may not be ready. My son was infatuated with the potty since he was 18 months and I thought he wouldb be ready in no time.

 

[noodleknitter]

My boys were all about 3 when I started training. They learned in a day or 2 with the standard surprise basket stuff for #2 and a sticker for #1.

No muss, no fuss!]

eta: This has nothing to do with me, merely waiting until they were old physically ready, and mature enough to have a conversation about the whole thing.

 

[Mouse House Mama]

When they are ready they are ready. No rewards in the world will work if the child is not ready. I have potty trained 2 children so far and it was on their own schedule. Both were around 2.5. I don't push it. When I see that they are consistently trying then I encourage them and go from there. It will happen. Don't stress. Oh- and as far as a boy seeing Dad to know what to do- I am sure he will be fine. My oldest ds always liked to stand because Dad did and when dd started training she wanted to stand as well because that's what big brother did! Kids are the funniest little people!!!

 

[noahynav]

I agree, way too early. Try waiting until 3. Less stress on you and your son. It will also go quicker.
I started training my oldest at 18 months, took a break, then 2YO, took a break, then 2 1/2, are you starting to see a pattern? Finally I waited till the week after his 3rd birthday. Guess what? Within just a couple of days he stayed completely dry all day and night with NO accidents. It was so easy!!!!! I vowed to not even try with my younger son until he turns three.
What ever you decide, GOOD LUCK!!!!

 

[jodifla]

Most of my friends with boys trained right around 3. I think 2 would be early for most boys.

My DS was 3.5. He trained quickly once he was ready. Within a month, we were done.

 

[sskem96]

I know a lot of people are waiting til their kids are 3 to train them, but I started training both of mine before age 2. dd10 was totally trained at 21 mos. We got the potty video when she was 18 mos. and put the potty chair in front of the TV. I used pull ups when we were out in public or at daycare, and training pants with plastic pants at home. Several other kids in the daycare were training at the same time, so she wanted to go just like them.

Unlike most kids, mine both trained for #2 first, within only a couple days, but it took a little longer for them to be consistent at holding #1. There's nothing wrong with accidents, it's a learning experience. A 3 year old might learn faster, but that doesn't mean that a 2 year old can't learn, it just may take a little longer. If it gets to the point that it's totally stressing you or your child out, then take a break for a couple weeks and try again.

DD7 would only pee in the potty about half the time at age 2. I knew she knew when she had to go, but she wouldn't take the time to do it if she was busy playing or something. The week before she turned 2.5, I told her, you're going to be 2.5 next week. After you turn 2.5 you can't pee in your panties anymore. You have to use the potty every time because 2.5 is too old for pull-ups. That's all it took was for her to know I was serious and what I expected of her, and she never had another accident.

 

[belle&beast]

I know a lot of people are waiting til their kids are 3 to train them, but I started training both of mine before age 2. dd10 was totally trained at 21 mos. We got the potty video when she was 18 mos. and put the potty chair in front of the TV. I used pull ups when we were out in public or at daycare, and training pants with plastic pants at home. Several other kids in the daycare were training at the same time, so she wanted to go just like them.

Unlike most kids, mine both trained for #2 first, within only a couple days, but it took a little longer for them to be consistent at holding #1. There's nothing wrong with accidents, it's a learning experience. A 3 year old might learn faster, but that doesn't mean that a 2 year old can't learn, it just may take a little longer. If it gets to the point that it's totally stressing you or your child out, then take a break for a couple weeks and try again.

DD7 would only pee in the potty about half the time at age 2. I knew she knew when she had to go, but she wouldn't take the time to do it if she was busy playing or something. The week before she turned 2.5, I told her, you're going to be 2.5 next week. After you turn 2.5 you can't pee in your panties anymore. You have to use the potty every time because 2.5 is too old for pull-ups. That's all it took was for her to know I was serious and what I expected of her, and she never had another accident.

Some kids are ready to train earlier than others and that's great! The thing is many are not physically ready or do not get the connection. Also many kids are unable to communicate the need to go or to understand what is being asked of them at such an early age. I am a speech pathologist and it it perfectly typical for a 2yo not to be answering yes/no questions consistently. This is just one example, but there have to be a lot of readiness factors before it will work.

My daughter was trained completely- even at night- at 26 months, my son is a different story and at 32 months has no desire and really does not show any physical signs of readiness. So. once again each child is different!

 

[badblackpug]

OP it sounds to me, too, that he is not ready. Just start familiarizing him with the potty. Let him watch other people go. Put a potty chair in the bathroom and let him play with it or sit on it. Read him potty books. Let him flush when you, or someones else goes. What helped most with my nephew, who still wasn't "getting it" after 3 was to watch my dh go. My sister (single mom) just didn't have the appropriate anatomy. If he does go in the potty...huge fuss and lots of praise. He will let you know when he is ready.

For those of you with bigger kids (ones who can dress themselves) who are already trained but won't poo on the potty or hold it because they want to do something else then have an accident...the thing that cured DD of this was...make her clean herself up. Wipe herself up, changes clothes, and rinse out panties. Trust me the combination of taking that much time out of play, plus having to handle poopy panties drives the lesson home petty quick!