Potty Training - Albany, GA

My 3 y.o. is mostly potty-trained -- he has an accident once a week or every 2 weeks or so. Anyway, we never had the problems you describe. Probably will happen when we train my youngest. I think training is quite frustrating no matter what. My only suggestion is can you find some kind of reward or treat that he could get only when going on the potty? I don't know how well punishments work with PTing -- I tend to think positive reinforcement/rewards/praise works best. For my son back in June he was at vacation bible school and one day they served these little fruit snacks shaped like the characters from Finding Nemo. He is a rather picky eater but gobbled them up. I found some at the store and started using them as PTing rewards -- he would get 1 treat for #1 and 2 for #2 in the potty. Soon we no longer had to give treats for #1 but we still do for #2. We were so happy to find something that worked for him -- we had started PTing back in late January. So, bottom line, it's a long, long journey. Hang in there, and I hope you find something that works for you!

I've found that punishing for potty mistakes will only make them worse. The kid feels shamed and will act out accordingly. Remember, he's still a baby, really. He doesn't know it's wrong, he wants to see what happens. He's LEARNING>

My advice is to not let him have the opportunity to make a potty mess. Every hour, take him to the toilet. Say, "this is where we pee/poop." Keep your eye on him a little more carefully for the next few days. Try to pick up some cues that he is having to go and then take him to the potty. If he has an accident, simply say "We don't pee/poop here. We go in the toilet". And then take him to the toilet. And maybe, he's just not ready, yet.

WoW, so it wasnt just my kids. Both my boys 4 and 3 use to do the same thing. Use #2 in their room and smear their poop on the walls. I had to get them to start cleaning it for them to stop that little mess. Then i figured out that they were bored and so when i was busy i would put on a movie something i knew they didnt want to take their eyes off and they wouldnt take off their diapers or use the restroom where they were at. Then after i was done i would ask if they had to go potty and take them whatever their answer and they would usually go.

My mom said to put the potty in the main room that hes in and keep a reward in his sight. If he uses the potty, give the reward to him, if he doesnt use it in the potty, take the reward away where he cant see it.

H.,
I totally understand your frustrations! My almost 3 yr old is still not potty trained, even though she doesn't like to be wet or dirty. While myself & the kids were living in Ohio & our house was on the market, my daughter ALWAYS smeared poop all over the walls, bed, floors, etc. It made it VERY hard to show the house instantly! My simple advise is just to be patient. It's hard to potty train, very, very hard!!! Please let me know if you find a solution, or if you just want to talk. Take Care, S.