Does anyone have any advice for getting my almost 3 year old to go potty at home?? He goes pee at home all the time, but REFUSES to go poop in the toilet at home. He goes just fine at our sitters house! Both pee and poop! We have a big potty and a little potty, but he either says "I dont want to" or asks for a diaper. I have not given in on the diaper thing, but his attitude is just awful when he doesnt go potty! We are beyond frustrated, and are losing our minds trying to come up with ideas for how to get him to go....we've tried everything we can think of. Help!
Thank you so much for the advice! As luck would have it, my son had "a bit too much" ;) prune juice, and ended up hittin the toilet all on his own today!!! We are thrilled! And, crossing our fingers that he keeps it up! :)
It sounds like a control issue to me. Give him the control and see what happens. Tell him you know he's able to poop on the potty so you're not going to pester him about it, just let him know that when he needs to poop, he's more than welcome to poop on the potty and let you know when he's all done. My child hates it when I follow her into the bathroom, she wants to be in control and she wants privacy, and who can blame her for that.
Let him sit backwards on the big toilet--like an airplane or a horse! (Sometimes logic doesn't work! lol)
He knows that you love him no matter what - his security with your unconditional love is a good thing - even though it's not manifesting itself in a desirable way right now.
You have to make pooping in the potty a cause for celebration and a positive thing. I used the Dr. Phil mthod which he promised would work in 2-3 days, and amazingly it did. I am a huge skeptic of this kind of thing but it worked.
You know what thrills your son - thomas the tank train, rescue heros, transformers, a favorite uncle or teenage cousin, whatever. Tell him that when don't need to uses diapers anymore we're going to have a party to celebrate and his favorite person will even call him to tell him how proud he is of this accomplishment. When he poops on the potty at home have a little party - cupcake, streamers, confetti in the air. Then call his favorite person and "leave him a message" that "Sammy used the potty at home - he pooped in the potty - please give _____ that message". Have your actor - or real person call your son. Let him get on the phone - his favorite person will congratulate him over the phone, tell him how proud he is of this great feat. My son was called by "Billy Blazes", the fireman rescue hero (my husband who was at work at the time).
Then for the next 2 or 3 days whenever he uses the potty praise him, give him a cupcake, or a few m&ms, a visit to his favorite playground (right away delayed gratification doesn't work on 3 yr olds). When he doesn't use the potty just clean him up, no negative comments. Be matter of fact - remind him - next time he uses the potty he gets whatever small trinket you've promised.
Finally when you can throw away the diapers have another small party. Have grandma & grandpa over and have pizza or McD's and another cupcake. It's all about positive reinforcement to make it something he WANTS to do.
This worked like a charm for my 3 yr 3 mos old boy 8 years ago! Best of luck - it's so freeing to get rid of those diapers!
My three-year old did this for a while too. With us, it was because she would put him on the pot during those patterned times that she noticed he pooped. We were not as prudent with that part, not to say you arent but you can look at that. When he is at home with you, put him on the pot during those times that he normally goes and ask him periodically if he has to go. At daycare, it is part of the routine so easier for him, but at home, they get lost in playing and are off routine a little more and it makes things harder. Try to be more in line with what the daycare is doing at home and you will see a difference, consistancy from both.
they say to give into the diaper for a bit, so maybe try that while you explore why this is happening at home
