My son is almost 4 (in December) and is not wanting to go #2 in the potty. He knows when he has to go and will ask for a pull up or just go in his underwear. It is frustrating. I am at a loss of what to do next. We have tried telling him that he will get a toy if he goes in the toilet, or that he will get a sticker and then a big toy ones he goes so many times. We have also tried encouraging words to help him go.
Anyone else have this problem?? If so, what did you do?
We didn't have this problem. My girlfriend though does with her son. Apparently her strategy is to give him a pull up for now. next she plan to have him use the pull up while in the bathroom. then pull up while touching the toilet. then pull up while sat on the toilet. then possibly pull up with a hole cut in it, and ultimately no pull up.
Best,
F. B.
Have you asked him WHY he prefers the pull-up?
Sometimes kids have sensory issues with pooping - really, if you pay attention to when you poop, there's a LOT of body sensations going on and it may make him very uncomfortable.
See if he can help you understand what's going on so he can be more comfortable with it.
Lots of kids feel this way. My son wasn't reliably potty trained even for pee until well past the age of 4. I honestly don't think you can do much more. If rewards don't work, leave it alone. It becomes so so stressful for the child because he wants to please you and it becomes a question of shame. That's so hard to work through.
It's a developmental thing. Assuming he's not uncomfortable (and many kids are because they don't eat the right foods to prevent milk constipation which makes pooping so annoying for them), I'd back off. You're frustrated of course, but honestly, you can't do anything but wait it out. He's doing so many other things on or ahead "of schedule" - celebrate those and let him get to the potty thing when he's ready. Put him back in pull-ups and stop the discussions and the underwear accidents. I know that's not what you want to hear but truly it's the only way.
Some kids feel like it's part of them being flushed down the toilet. I suggest you talk with him about this possibility when you ask him why he wants the pull up. If you have a small potty chair offer him that option.
My grandson saw the gym I took his little brother to while he was at nursery school. He was not trained. So I called the gym explained my plight. I took him over. He saw the place and could not wait to go. So I took him over to desk to sign him up. He was so excited. The women said they were thrilled to have h but then went oh wait, you still do not wear diapers right. He looked at them in shock and said he still wore diapers. They told him to come back when he knew how to use the potty. We were home in 15 min. He took off his diaper, put on underwear and three days later I signed him up. Never an accident!!!!! Guess I got lucky. His Mom and Dad were happy too!
