Moms with Potty Trained 3 Year Olds

I have a 2 year old who was potty trained around 20 months. I also have a 9 year old who pees the bed still. When he starts having accidents again I start waking up around 2am to get him up to use the bathroom. It's possible he's just sleeping heavier and doesn't realize he needs to go. After a few nights of me waking him up at 2am he seems to "retrain" his bladder and we go a couple weeks without having any accidents.

What is he watching on TV and what books is he reading? I've found such changes in behavior in my children can be directly related to those two things. For example, childrens TV shows that deal with conflict resolution are just plain bad! In the past my kids have had bad dreams, wet the bed, or picked up the bad behavior or attitude from the TV show. Sure these shows teach conflict resolution, but my kids don't have the actual conflict in their life in the 1st place. So they see the conflict and it stresses them and affects their behavior. Specific shows & books that we've had issues with and banned include: Jay Jay the Jet Plane, Thomas the Train & bible story books that deal with people being killed, put in furnaces, ate by lions, etc

FYI - My sons are 2 & 3 yrs old

Do you give him drinks like a hour or 2 before he goes to bed? If so that might be part of the problem. Also maybe sometimes he gets so caught up in what he's doing that he forgets to go. My son is doing pretty well. He is 3. He sometimes goes and sometimes doesn't so he's kinda in between being potty trained.

Have you tried having him "practice" from the spot where he had his "accident?" Each accident requires 5-10 practice runs, all done by him running from the spot where he wet himself (you become his supervising "cheerleader"), pulling his own pants down, using the toilet, pulling his own pants back up, then doing it all over again.

Night bed wetting should be considered a different thing I think. You could limit his liquid intake about an hour or two before bedtime. My mom used to be very sympathetic and call bed wetting "tough luck." But we still had to gather up the wet clothes and put them in the hamper.

I tried potty training my son at 2 1/2 but found it to be too much work. He just wasn't ready! I tried again at age 3 and he was potty trained in one day. Sometimes they just aren't ready yet. Also, my son wet the bed every so often until he was about 10 or 11! I hear this is common in boys. He's 14 now and all is well, but it made him nervous to spend the night at friends' houses for the longest time. I agree with others, do not make a big deal about it. They definitely aren't doing it on purpose.

I no longer have any little ones, but my first suggestion is to have him checked by the pediatrician to be sure there is no infection or physical reason for the problem. If not, I would suggest that even though he was totally trained at 2 1/2, it is mom who is more trained than child and he just may not be totally ready yet. It may also be an attention getting behavior. I can remember going through a time with my daughter of thinking she was never going to learn. My pediatrician told me to relax, let her go, she know what and how to do it and she will do it when she is ready. Always praise for correct behavior, never shame the child for incorrect behavior when potty training.
J. B

We just went through this with my 2 1/2 year old. He potty trained himself 2 months before he was 2. Then, around Christmas time he started wetting the bed, having accidents while standing at the toilet, etc. We took him to the dr., because other times it indicated he had an ear infection. But, this time the doctor checked his bowels and said he was probably a little constipated. We had noticed only pebble sized bowel movements recently, but thought nothing of it since he was still going. The doctor said the restriction in his bowels was causing more pressure on the bladder & thus he had little or no control over the peeing. We now give him Miralax (which can be bought over the counter) and just give him 1/2 cap full with his milk or juice in the morning. He then goes to the bathroom by afternoon and we haven't had a problem since. You should probably talk to your dr. before giving him anything, but it might be worth asking about. Hope that helps! Good Luck.

It must be the age, because my son has also been potty trained since 2 1/2 and has just recently started having accidents. He knows he is doing it, because I can say, "where are your pants?", he looks at me and replies with I potted in them or worse. I've tried to just back to asking him all the time if he has to go, basically go back to the way i used to do. If i vere from that he will have an accident. It's almost like he gets to involved and doesn't want to take the time

I went through the same with one of mine! rule out any medical reason...kidney infection etc. We even went to a specialist & had an ultrasound to check for physical issues. Nothing was found. He had us cut out any foods that may be connected for 2 weeks. caffeine, citrus, chocolate, carbonation, red food dyes...you will be amazed at how much that can limit you. Then 1 thing was reintroduced at a time for 1 week. note any changes...if something triggers wetting again, it implies there might be a sensitivity. While soda and carbonation were definate triggers, we determined he just had an overactive bladder. He was on of the small % of boys who hd to deal with nighttime wetting until he turned 9...Then the problem almost magically went away.

My daughter was potty trained at 2 1/2 also and just turned 3 last week. She has also started to have accidents at pre-school and at home. I got really frustrated too. Somedays it seemed like she never made it to the potty. I also noticed she hadn't pooped lately and she told me it hurt to poop so my doctor told me to put her on Miralax (stool softener). The thinking was she was constipated and it was pushing on her bladder. Both things seem to be better after a week on the Miralax. Maybe it was the constipation or maybe it was just the age not sure.

maybe you should take him to a doctor and see if he is having some kind of trouble with his bladder

I had the same problem with one of my sons. Sometimes at that age they get so caught up in what they're doing they forget they have to go and by the time they get to the bathroom, it's too late. As for the bed wetting, the same one had the same problem. It just recently stoped and he's now 10. Sometimes it just happens and there's nothing you can do. I can tell you not too overreact though. I know it's frustrating, but if your child sees you upset, it just makes them more upset. If you really have major concerns, talk to the pediatrician they always have great suggestions.

K.- Hang in there! It is frusterating! I potty trained both my kids at 2 1/2 now they are 3 1/2 and 5. I wish there was a magic answer. One thing I found it there are peeks and valleys, but when I get frusterated, so did my kids. When I remain calm (easier said then done) they would come around. I agree, with the other moms that mentioned the bladder or constipation problems. My son had similar issues only to find out it was related to constipation. So a call to the doctor might help. Another thing, is your son just soo busy that he forgets to go? My kids have had that happen too, and I found a reward system helps with positve encouragement. Just some thoughts. As far as the night, I have spent time talking about it with my doctor as ironically my 3 1/2 year old is potty trained through the night, but my 5 year old still struggles. She assured me it is normal to wet the bed up to age 8??? You might check with your doctor as well. There is no magic solution, good luck!