Advice Needed: My son is 3 years and 3 months old and...
My son is 3 years and 3 months old and I know he is ready to potty train. He's shown me all the signs and he hates diapers and refuses to wear them. I started potty training him 5 days ago. I feel like it's going so slow. My older son learned in less than 2 days. I know each child is different, but I can't help but feel frustrated. I try not to show him I'm frustrated though. For the past 5 days we have been home doing nothing but running to the potty every 5 minutes. Do the math, that's ALOT of times I've taken him to the potty. Each day he has an average of 3-4 accidents. On the 3rd day he said, "poo poo" so I rushed him in there and he went in the potty. I rewarded him immediately and cheered and celebrated with him! Day 4 he did the same; however, since then he has pooped in his underwear. He tells me after he's gone already in his underwear. If I miss a 5 minute period he will go in his underwear. He is good about going when I take him and I always am very consistent with my rewards. He gets one gummy bear for each time he pees and 3 gummy bears if he poops in the potty. He loves gummy bears so he is very motivated to work for them. My problem why does he seem like he gets it one minute and another minute he doesn't and we're back to square one? I feel he doesn't care when he has accidents. I even bought him superhero underwear and he loves them and hates when they get dirty. I don't understand?! He never tells me he has to go, I just have to be on top of it and take him every 5 minutes because if I don't he will have an accident. Any suggestions? Has anyone else experienced inconsistency in their child like this? I feel bad for my 4 year old because it's summer and I can't take him out anywhere because we have to be home near the potty for his little brother. Please help!
All of the advise given is good-
it IS a frustrating time for sure but it is also in most cases- short lived. Take deep breathes and set realistic expectations which is that it takes a week r two of staying home, lots of runs to the bathroom and a few accidents but then it is usually over.
Going naked works, making them clean their own mess works, bringing a porta potty works, gummy bears works- now he just has to figure it out.
I would NOT bring him every 5 mins- your trained- not him. Let him tell you when he has to go - that is the only way he trains his mind to connect with his body. It may not have the right results up front (a couple of accidents are going to happen) but in the long run it will be better for him and your relationship!
Deep breathe and lots of positive reenforcements. This is his first real challenge that he will face in life- be sure you are his cheer leader not his critic.
Good luck and remember nobody walks down the aisle in high school in diapers... this too shall ass
Quoting CLEKate:
Take off his underware. Have him run around completely naked. See what happens. It really worked with my younger son--I know he knew when he had to pee, but he wouldn't go on the potty. When in underware, he would pee. When naked, he would go on the potty.
Same with my son
Quoting chrarrington18:
He is seeing that he has the control so he is playing you. You are bending to his will by staying in the house and being at his beck and call even if he doesn't tell you he needs to go. You don't need to take him every 5 min. Limit his liquid intake and go every half hour. If he pre in his undies or the floor make him clean it up and don't let him see you get frustrated. Also do the same with poop. Trust me, once he has to clean this up a few times he will not do it anymore. I would also find another reward for him. Maybe a potty chart and once he reaches a certain number of stickers he gets to go someplace special or get a special toy.
My daughter will be 3 in Sept. Today we're in panties... she went pee 5 times. 2 accidents 3 times in the potty. I sit her on the potty around every 40 ish minutes. She drank 4 cups of liquid so far. I understand your frustration
When did your LO get their first crush?
- mompsyd09
on Jul. 4, 2012 at 1:20 PM