Potty training question

[skuttle]

DS has been potty trained for a few weeks now. He never tries to go to the potty when I ask him to go. He'll only go when he has to go. When I ask if he has to go, he simply says, "No, I'll tell you." He does a great job with telling us. He's only ever used the potty at day care, at home, and at my mom's house.

My DH is a music teacher at a local high school, so I bring DS to the football games so we can watch the band. Last Friday was the first game. I picked DS up from school around 4pm. When we arrived at DH's school around 5pm, I could tell that DS was doing the pee pee dance, but he refused to go potty. I guess he didn't want to miss anything. We get to the football game (started at 7pm) and he told me about 10-15 times that he had to potty. We'd get to the bathroom and then he'd tell me he didn't have to go. Note: he's still doing the pee pee dance.

Finally, at half time, he couldn't hold it anymore and he made all over himself. I changed him and told him I was disappointed and that if he did it again we'd have to leave because I had only brought one change of clothes. Well, he did it again after going to the bathroom 4-5 more times and then refusing to potty.

I'm not sure what to do for the next game. Do I put him in a pullup? I don't want to ruin all of the progress we've made by putting him in a pullup. Any suggestions? DH suggested maybe giving him one chance,and then if he makes on himself then put him in a pullup. I don't know what to do.

 

[sugarpie]

I wouldn't go back to a pullup. They treat them just like a diaper in my experience. And I wouldn't be too concerned about it. Potty training is never easy & there will be setbacks. I would bring 1 change of clothes & after that I would be prepared to take him home.

I'm potty training my second daughter right now, so I know what a pain it can be, but it's all worth it once they get it down.

 

[Spinning]

What type of potty is he use to going in? If he is only using a small child's potty that could be the reason. The big white one is scary!
Is he standing? it maybe too high for him. I know he will have to get use to that but it is all new! So you could bring a small step stool or what we did was have our son stand on our feet to give him a little more height.
We brought with us a small plastic seat that fit on top of the regular seat. It actually fit in my diaper bag and then just in the car. I kept it in a bag. That seemed to help a lot! Plus I felt better about what they were sitting on!
I wouldn't make a huge fuss out of it but do exactly what you did. Take him when he says so. If he has an accident, change him and move on. Explaining you have one set of clothes and next time you will have to leave. I wouldn't be mad or argue just state the facts.
Good luck...I don't miss those days! Other stuff yeah but the potty UGH!
He is just learning so accidents, oddities and will happen.

 

[dmslush]

I say don't stress over it too much! Many moons ago, I would have sworn to you that Shelby would be starting highschool with a bottle and diaper both because she flatly refused to give up either. But, with time, she gave up the bottle and the diaper, even before kindergarten started!!

Think about it, the children are taught for years to go potty in their pants, and then all of a sudden, that isn't acceptable anymore. It's a complete change for them and there will be accidents and setbacks, but it is okay!!! Right now he is probably experimenting with the holding it and seeing how long it will take before he can't hold it anymore.

 

[skuttle]

He uses the big potty at daycare without any type of seat. Sometimes he stands, sometimes he doesn't.

At home and at my mom's, we have a seat that sits on top of the potty. I bought a folding potty seat for him, but he says it hurts. I may buy another seat like we have at home and bring that to see if it helps.

He still wears a pull up at night and knows he's not supposed to go in it. More often than not he wakes up dry. I told him this was the last pack of pullups.

The only problem with bringing him home if he makes on himself is that DH's school isn't in the best area and I wouldn't feel safe walking back to my car by myself. Last friday one of the band dad's walked with me sinced DH couldn't. I'd hate to keep asking them to do that! I guess next time I'll try to park closer.

I'll try the potty seat and see how it goes this Friday, I suppose. Maybe realizing that I was serious about going home last time will give him more incentive to use the potty at the game. Plus, it won't be as new to him.

 

[The Mystery Machine]

My 9yo STILL pulls that one and she is a holder until the very last second. I learned real quick that we are not leaving the bathroom until you potty, period.
Frankly if he is doing the "pee-pee dance" this is a power struggle you have to be prepared to win!

I would NOT go back to a PullUp those things make it harder imo.

 

[janette]

I used pull-ups for those occasions when an accident is very inconvenient. Long car rides or events like you described. Kids just don't have all the timing down and sometimes a bathroom isn't as quick to get into as their need requires. I never found it to delay their progress, just make it a little easier on mom.

 

[skuttle]

Thanks everyone.

And thanks Janette! Part of the reason I was thinking about the pullup was to make it easier on myself. I didn't know if that would be a bad thing.

 

[CEDmom]

When DD was training I used to bring her portable potty in the car with us. A gallon ziploc worked perfectly in the insert part of it. It worked like a charm. The other thing I did when we traveled was to put a pullup over her underpants and then bring a few extra pairs just in case. That saved the day a few times when she fell asleep in her carseat.

I wouldn't make a big deal about it. Lots of kids are very particular about where they'll go potty when they're 1st training. I used to run DD out to the car all the time rather than use a public bathroom. All the flushing used to really freak her out.