I have a four and a half year old, who is about to turn five. He continuously has accidents both #1 and #2, I can't seem to get him to stop and use the potty like a big boy. I have tried everything I can think of to help him stop, from rewards to not letting him watch television when he has an accident while watching television. When I ask him why, he says that he doesn't want to miss something. I am completely at my witts end, and have no idea how to proceed. I also have a 2 and a half year old who absolutely has no interest in using the potty at all. How do I get him to get interested in it??
I am reading a book called "Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day". So far it is really fun and seems like a simple way to potty train or re-potty train. I can't say it works since I haven't tried it yet, but maybe you could try her method with both boys at the same time. It's mostly about throwing a Potty Party with events all centered around using the potty.
I have boys and 2 of them have had continuous accidents. My 6 y/o still does. With our oldest we got a potty pager. It's a very small device that you hook to their underwear. at the first sign of wetness it vibrates. It was expensive. But after the first time my oldest never had another accident. Hasn't worked so great on my youngest.
See a pediatric urologist! Take my word for it. There is such a thing as avoidance disorder, a small bladder, etc. in children. Push your pediatrician to refer you. Many times this is a medical issue so don't let it go on without getting a specialist to help you. I speak from experience!! You can feel free to email me at ____@____.com if you want to chat more on the subject. Good luck!
Since I've been a part of Mamasource, I am amazed at the emphasis moms put on potty training and the worry if a child isn't getting it by two years old. I don't understand the rush for kids to learn to potty. Your child will get it right eventually but I would not punish or reward. That is creating a negative connection in his mind. Just put him in pullups. I would not make it a negative thing. It seems like the more you stress about it, the less important it is for him.
Kids don't always understand our adult views. In his little mind, he probably doesn't understand why he can't watch TV because he did #1 or #2 in his pants. I would definitely let it go. Try to see things from his perspective.
My almost 5 year old daughter is having small #2 accidents too. I have recently lost my job and we have been spending more time together. I am thinking its her way of dealing since she really misses her friends at daycare and way of being in control of something. Her older sisters and I have made a chart for rewards. She got an award for 5 days good and then 2weeks. Her 20 day reward is her Halloween and Birthday costumes (she wanted to be 2 different things and her bday is 2 wks before Halloween). Anyway, the days do not have to be "in a row". I keep ENCOURAGING her. I have tried to not say things regarding accidents or even if she's being a big girl, rather "Do you need to go now?Remember we get to put your sticker/mark on your poster later if it's a good day" things like that. It's definately trying, but stay patient and positive. As for your younger son, especially be patient. Having girls I was extremely blessed in easy potty training. I did know not to push them or try them too soon. We did not use pull ups but regular pants and when they were ready, it was 1 week. Good luck!!
Hi B.,
I was a single mom twice when they were both young. I have a 20 year old girl and a 12 year old boy. They both were not potty trained until 3 years old. I agree with Claudia that we don't need to push it. I keep hearing people talking about 2 years. With my son, I read the book Anita K. was talking about. It made my son very stressed and myself extremely stressed. I let it go. I figured I would do more damage if I continued to push. He was almost 3 at the time. He did learn it shortly after that. Every child is different and develops at different stages.
T. B.
