Potty Training - Greenfield, OH

Hi P.,

Don't listen when everyone is telling you that he should be potty trained by 2 1/2. My 4 year old son was not potty trained until he was 3. I have a few friends whose sons were not potty trained until they were 4 years old. Hang in there - it will happen when he's ready. I was always told that is the one thing that they have control over and you can't force it.

My daughter will be 3 in December and we are doing the potty training thing. the first thing I did was take away the sippie cups. It is a nightmare but she hasn't went in her pants in almost two weeks.It's all about timing them after they have something to drink. He may not be ready yet. Does he pull off his diaper when he's wet? If so he may be ready. i tried with my gaughter six months ago and she did the same thing. Now that she's older I think that she's more ready to learn. Buy pull-ups instead. They have huggies at Sam's club for $25 for 88.

P.,
Dont stress they say they will do it when they are ready. I have a 21 mon. old boy and I am using M&M's as a treat if he goes. I also heard to use a round cereal in the potty for them to aim at. Good luck.

P.

No it doesn't mean he should already be potty trained. My son was not interested until he turned 3. Some kids take to it but others don't. He is being totally normal for that age. I would put my son in underwear..........he would wet them, asked to be changed and do it again. He did not potty train until he was ready. I believe if you force it, it can be a set back. Just keep doing what you are doing and encouraging him. One day he'll surprise you and do it!!!! :)

Good luck

I am the mother of 4 and not one of my children were potty trained at the same age. My twin sons were almost three before they were potty trained, but my daughter was 18 months. I think when they are ready, they will be ready. I wouldn't stop encouraging it. Also, I tried a reward jar in the bathroom that had little dollar toys or coloring books in it and when they went to the bathroom all day without an accident, they got a reward. This seemed to help alot also. Good Luck.

Hello P.,
I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter. I was having the sam problems that you are expering. I found something that I think just might work this time. The reward system with using her favorite Dora!
She knows that when she goes to the potty she gets Dora stickers. She got to pick out her own Dora undies. They are hanging up on the wall. She can see them everytime she goes to potty. She wants to wear them really bad asked about them everyday.
She know about the Dora party she gets to have once she goes to potty like big girl.
I also gave a pair of the panties for daycare too. So far this is working.
Dr. Phil has some ideas too if you want to check out his website.
I understand the presure you are under. I get the same thing too about I should have her potty trainined by now. I also get told she has to be trained before she can be moved to the 3 year-old room at daycare. I also have the pinky problem to kick too.

Anyway good luck to you

Actually, 2 1/2 seems to be on the early side for a boy for potty training. Those diapers, (even the generics) do cost a boat load, but it's a process that can't be rushed. All you can do is support and encourage. I have 2 girls. They both learned at 2 1/2 with Hershey's kisses as rewards, but...I hear that's girls...They just start quicker...Boys have to learn 2 things...a standing up way and a sit down way...They need more time. Don't let people pressure you. He seems normal to me. P.

This is kind of a general answer, but I hope it helps. Signs that a child is ready to potty train:
1. They wake up dry
2. They will usually stay dry for at least a couple hours and then go.
3. They can tell you when they are going or have to go.

If they can't pull up or down their own pants, they might still potty train but it is harder.

If he isn't ready to potty train, work on the things that will help him when he is.
1. Help him work on dressing himself. Pulling his pants down or up on his own.
2. Help him learn how to ask for help, especially if he isn't really verbal.
3. Help him learn about the potty (especially if he can see dad using it every so often).
4. Buy a doll and have him teach the doll how to go on the potty.

That is all I can think of now. HOpe some of it is helpful for you. My ds is about the same age and isn't potty-trained. He just isn't ready yet.

My son was about a week away from his 3rd birthday before he would pee in the potty, Going number was a whole other story though.
I do feel your frustrations. My daughter will be 3 in February and she refuses to use the potty. She knows how and she hates having a wet or dirty pull up. But at the same time she will not go on her little potty or the big potty.
I have tried rewards, stickers, you name it...
I guess she will just do it when she wants to. I am not really in any rush to make her grow up.
Hold strong and try not to let it irritate you too much.
Good Luck!

P.,
It may be too early for your little guy to be potty trained. Boys generally tend to take longer than girls. Keep trying but don't make it an issue. The rewards system (i.e. a sticker when he does go) often helps as an incentive. Another thing to try is putting him on it when you know he usually goes (i.e. before bedtime).

P.,
You can read and listen to all the advice that is available, and what it really comes down to is when THEY are ready. I tired and tried with my son until he was 3 years 8 months and was feeling the pressure from his school, other moms, grandparents...blah...blah....blah...BUT, when he decided he was ready he just did it! I am not saying that you don't try it every few weeks, but when it doesn't work, just return to the pull ups and relax. Make sure you have the "incentives" or bribes as some would call them ready each time, but don't give the BIG one until he does it. Please don't make him feel bad or make a big deal if he isn't ready, that will only make it worse and prolong the process. My son trained in 3 days when he was ready to do it and decided that he did want the race track we had in the closet for 1 year:-)You are NOT the only one that has gone through this and even though pull ups are expensive, you can't make him do something that his body and mind aren't ready to do.
Good luck and know that a typically developing child WILL potty train, it is just a matter of when.
J.

Hi P.-

Don't listen to people who tell you your son "should" be potty trained. Boys potty train much slower than girls. I have two girls who were both potty trained by 2. But my nephew is over 3 and still in pull ups, we put him in underpants, cheerios in the toilet, put him on the toilet every 20 min. Nothing works. He just isnt ready. I babysat a boy who wasnt trained until 4 and also a good friend of mine's son wasnt trained till 4. I spoke with my own pediatrician about my nephew and he said it was typical for some boys to be almost 5! I know its hard having 2 children in diapers, the cost crazy but unfortunately, he's probably just not ready you should continue your efforts but dont force him. I hope this helps.
K.

When we diaper our kids from birth through 2, 3, 4 yrs of age, we are training them that the diaper is where they're supposed to eliminate, and THEN we wonder why it's so tough to get them to go in the potty when it's time to potty train. But hmm, we actually set ourselves & our toddlers up for this struggle! And P.S., most US-born pediatricians accept and spread the cultural myth of "no sphincter control" - but there's NO scientific study of gentle, early toileting because there's no money from Pampers or Huggies to support any pediatricians who would like to do these types of studies. Huggies and Pampers want your son to be in size 5 diapers because it means more $$ for them!

The plain fact is that all over the world, the majority of babies are using the potty reliably by 18 months - but this doesn't mean they do *everything* by themselves (like take clothes on/off, wipe, etc.). This means that the parents and child work as a team over many, many months in a supportive, practical, no-pressure situation. And very gradually, over time, the child becomes more and more potty independent. No shaming, pressure, negativity. Diapers or some covering may be used, but it is only in case of an accident, NOT as the primary place for pee/poop to go. It works. The proof is in the pudding.

So your 2.5 yr old certainly can use the potty as long as it is offered at ideal times (at what times of day does he usually go?), it is done in a gentle, loving, supportive, no-pressure, non-punitive way. ALL babies, even newborns, can do this - and it's mind blowing when you see it in action!

Toddler/Preschool age is an extremely difficult developmental stage in which changing the rules and introducing the potty are often met with resistance, and that makes total sense! It's why, in our culture, potty training is dreaded by so many parents. ALL babies are able to use the potty - it's the parents who have to decide if they're ready to help their child use the potty.

So, my point is: whatever path you choose, you'll be fine as long as you are respectful to your son. No pressure, no coersion or bribes, no negativity, just love, patience, and support. You can start with your 1 year old daughter AND your 2 1/2 yr old son at the same time, if you want. Just expect that this is a PROCESS in which accidents WILL happen (and that is how they learn, it's not a bad thing!) -- very much like how your babies go from crawling to walking to running. Think of how you helped them become mobile, and support them in that very same way when you potty train them, no matter what age you start.

For more information on gentle potty training, from babies to preschoolers, check out:
http://www.diaperfreebaby.org/Articles/StartingEC.htm
http://www.diaperfreebaby.org/Articles/GettingStartedBobr...
http://www.white-boucke.com/reviews/latestarters.html
http://www.diaperfreebaby.org/PottyingPositions.htm

Happy pottying!

P.S. - Since the introduction of personal washing machines/dryers and disposible diapers, the average potty training age in this country has risen drastically from 18 months old (30-50 yrs ago) to 3 YEARS old (today). Our babies now are no different than they were then - ALL babies are capable of using the potty as long as they have a supportive caregiver to help them get to the potty. And even today, babies all over the world who are under the age of 2 years old can recognize and alert their caregivers when they have to go - again, are babies born in the USA incapable of this? Ridiculous! Our babies can do it to - we just have to relearn this gentle, old time practice that our great, great grandmothers knew how to use. :)

It is so true!They will do it when they are ready.my son was about 3 1/2.His doctor told me don't push him,because it can make them not want to do it,but if he is already sitting on the potty he's taken some interest.The key is to make it fun for them.
The reward system really work for me once he took interest in going potty..everytime he went he got a jellybean and if he went all day he would get a car,then a week a new book.I just put him in regular underware and reminded him every hour to hour&half to go to the bathroom.I know that seems like a lot of time out of the day,but it only took about a day and a half when he started to notice the he needed to go,i still had to remind him for about a week,then I didn't have to, he just did it on his own.Then I changed to reward to a weekly thing.So if we didn't have any accidents he would get something new.Good luck be patient,and don't listen to everyone else.That's what I did when my son was about your sons age,and pushed it to much and I think that's what took so long.

My daughter is 2 1/2 and I am trying to potty train her too right now. Initially I had the exact problem that you had. She would go sit and tear and toilet sheet and throw it in the toilet and flush. She just didn't know what to do after sitting there but I was consistent in making her sit and now she is little bit trained. She goes No1 and 2 sometimes now but not all the time. I am not going to pressure her by taking of her diaper. I want her to take her own time.

Also there is not hard and fast rules that they should be potty trained in certain age. So leave it up to his convinience but don't give up on keep trying but at the same time don't pressure him. That is the only way of potty training kids. If at all it kelps I have a friend who's 3 yr old is still not trained :).

I have two boys both are older now. but mine started late. the oldest i tried training him at 2 he was okay for a while going on the potty when i put him on it. but after a trip he stopped . He didn't potty train until he wanted to go to preschool. and he had to be potty trained for that. so he did it cause he wanted school so badly. with my younger son , he also didn't train until he was around 4. it's great if you can get them potty trained at 2 but you have to go with what he's telling you. if he's not willing enough to do it , you may want to wait a bit longer.

The only person who can give you any sound advice here is your child's pediatrician. What does he/she say? Mine told me that 2 - 2 1/2 is an acceptable time to start. I have taken care of lots of kids and they have been potty -trained anywhere between 20 mos and 3 1/2 yrs. I would keep encouraging him to go, make it a part of your routine - set him up for success by giving him plenty to drink and try getting him there when he would typically go. But think of it like this - if someone put you in a diaper and told you to run around and go in the diaper - how would that be since you are trained to sit on a toilet and go? Besides that he's a boy- in my experience they are usually more stubborn or at least less interested in potty training. See if he would prefer to stand or to sit facing the back of the toilet (this worked with my son who wanted to be like all the other boys and Daddy). As far as whether or not he "should be potty-trained" the answer is NO. Some kids are at that age and some are not. I'd even say a majority are not. Just keep patient and keep working on it and it'll will happen eventually - praise any success. And keep taking deep breaths - there are very few children going to kindergarten in diapers :-)

Hi P.,

My son was 3 1/2 when he finally got potty trained. We still have accidents on occasion and he just turned 5. Try putting him on the potty about 20-30 mins after meals and give him a book to look through, so he doesn't get bored. Don't stress if this doesn't work, he'll start to show you signs of interest once he's ready. Good luck.

PS. Buy diapers in bulk at Sam's Club or Costco. You will save tons in the long run! Hope this helps :)

It sounds like your son is not ready. I think the more you push him, the more he will resist. I can understand your anxiousness about wanting to get him potty-trained, but unfortunately, I really think you have to wait until he's more ready. Otherwise, you'll just be wasting a lot of time and frustration trying to force him to do something he's not ready to do yet. (Sidenote: My sister has twin girls who are now 5. One was potty trained at just over 2 years, but the other one wasn't trained until almost 3 and a half years. Just goes to show that every child is on his/her own schedule!)

Boys take longer to get potty trained sometimes 3-4 years of age. I honestly would let him pee out side on the trees to spark his interest and then get him to go in the toilet. We do a lot of camping that is why this method worked for me! Best of Luck!

P.,
When I was potty my son I put cherrio's in the tolet and let me hit them with his pee. I know this might sound crazy but he thought it was fun and it was alot cheaper than the diapers. We also sang the songs, which just made potty time just a little more fun. I hope it helps

I am here to tell you.. He will use the potty when he is ready.. we as a mother and father will keep trying too encourage our children to use the potty but sometimes no matter what we do they wont do it. My youngest would actually use this against me and when she would get mad at me she would say "Im just gonna pee my pants then" I had never heard of that before. But now she has started kindergarten and is doing great.. I had always told her she wouldnt be able to go to school if she kept peeing her pants and once she started she had done great.. kids do it when they are ready. Other moms and dads have their opinions but no trust me, they will do it in time..

Hi P.,

I have a 3 year old we just got him fully potty trained. He would do the same thing with us would not sit on the potty so what we did we went out and bought a seat that would go over the regular seat so he would be comfortable sitting on it. everytime he went on the potty I would buy him a little car (beacuse he loves cars) as a reward just a 99cent hotwheels well he caught on he keep going more and more and now he just goes on his own, even at night I still put a pull up on just in case but he wakes up dry. find something your son really likes and tell him if he goes you will reward him with it. Be patient it will happen. Good Luck

My son is almost 3 and is not potty trained. He knows how to potty on the potty though, but won't. It's very frusterating, but I feel that when he is ready he will do it. I really don't like the idea of pushing him. He will go when ready. I know it can be hard as I know what you mean about diapers costing a fortune (I also have a 20 mo. old DD). Good Luck! and know you are not alone. Oh and the average boy is not potty trained untill 39 months!

M.

P.,

Don't worry about what other people are saying. Your son certainly doesn't care and will be potty trained when he is good and ready!!! Starting too soon will just frustrate the both of you and in the long run could prolong the whole process.

I potty trained my son at 32 months(daytime, pullups at night). He was ready and it only took one week. Now mind you, that is all we did that week. I let him run around without underwear and sat him on the potty every half hour. When he did go the first time, we had a grand parade...marching around the house and singing. He loved it!!!

Once your son does start going on the potty, don't be surprised if he wants to visit every bathroom in every store you go to. Do be consitant with underwear. Let him pick out some fun ones at the store and don't go back to diapers during the day. Only use the pull ups at night....that will save some money there.

Be patient and good luck!!!

Hi there...here's my take on this. Potty training really needn't be a battle. When a child is truly ready, it actually is fairly easy with most kids (unless they are older and it's a power struggle issue, other health issue or fear related). My son was just over his third birthday before one day he decided, ok! I'm ready to wear these wonderful big boy underwear that have been sitting here for a year, lol...and then viola'!! he never had one accident, kid you not. Night trained and everything from that day on. Trust me, until it clicks for them and they are really ready, it's only making it into a negative experience to keep push, push, pushing. The fact is...I realize it's expensive for diapers for two...but...well, that's par for the coarse, ya know? It's not fair to push him if he's not showing appropriate signs of readiness simply because it's finiancially easier.

Anyways, I've always heard that about 2 1/2-3 for girls and 3-3 1/2 for boys is 'average'. Just enjoy your time with him...trust me, this too shall pass very soon!! they grow so very fast, cherish him. :o)

Oh my gosh no!! It's not that he "should" be potty trained. You can't force it. You just can't. He'll go when he is ready. As long as you give him all the "tools", he'll be fine. My son is a little over 2 1/2 and is not even close to potty trained. He is getting there though.....

I'm in the process of potty training my 2 1/2 year old and first off let me say that NO ONE should be telling you your son should already be potty trained. All kids go at their own pace, it doesn't have anything to do with age. I started out using pullups with my son and he would just use them as diapers. If you're wanting to hardcore potty train, I highly recommend you go straight from diapers to underwear, but be prepared for ALOT of accidents. After every accident be sure to have him sit on the potty for a few minutes. After he realizes it's not the same as going in pullups or diapers, he'll start wanting to go in the potty so that it's not so yuckie. My son has made so much improvement since we switched from pullups to underwear. We also have a potty chart/certificate he can put one sticker for going the whole day without any accidents (peeing) and 2 stickers for going poop in the potty. If he goes poop more then once he gets 2 stickers from each time he poops. You may want to start out with giving a sticker for everytime he pees in the potty and 2 for everytime he poops in the potty. Different things work for different kids. I got the sticker idea from a guy I work with, he used it with his daughter and it worked like a charm (like it has for me). If you have any other questions, please feel free to e~mail me anytime. :)

~{@ J.

I used m&m's as a reward (I have 2 girls) and my sister used stickers (she has 2 boys).

Don't stress your son will do it on his own time. my boyfriends son was almost 4 before he was potty trained. my son was potty trained before he was 2 so let me give you some tips that my help alittle. If there is a male around any male will do. let your son watch him go. then he'll see how you are supposed to do it. and when he goes give him and incentive. with my son we made up a potty chart.( like flushed when done, washed hands, went without being reminded to...) and when he would do one of the things on the chart we would let him put a sticker on it. my son is 3 now and has been fully potty trained even at night since he was 26 mo. but i think the letting him watch other men played a huge part in it. at that time in our lives i had my boyfriend his son and my nephew to "help". And when they go even if it's not in the toilet ALWAYS make a huge deal out of it, it encourages them and they want to continue going. and don't use the pull-up things just go from diapers to undrewear and tell your son he's a big boy now and that he has to wear underwear so his sister can have the diapers.

Hello P.,

I agree with Tricia when pertaining to the adverse affects of setting limits, comparing and rushing children into such life and character-shaping milestones. My son is also 2 1/2 and I am under the same strain. Initially we would run warm water through his legs to simulate and stimulate the urination process. This worked splendidly! He is still in diapers, but at least he was urinating whenever we'd place him upon the potty routinely. Next step, bowel movements. This is generally more tough, we'd watch for "moments" that looked like he was attempting to go into his diaper - then we'd ask if he had to go __WORD OF CHOICE__(he looked confused in the beginning) then I would rush him to the potty to finish the process there. Afterwards, the entire family would make a jubiliant event about it, with lots of hugs and cheers. He was so proud of his accomplishment that he'd attempt every time (not always making it or able to, but at least there was the will). We never got angry, and would refer to any incident of going in the diaper as "accidents". Treating him like the individual and growing boy he is. We study potty books while he is sitting on the potty (this also allows him to stay focused and on the potty for awhile). I understand the cost of diapers, but please try not to let that rush you - perhaps the purchase of absorbant cloth diapers - much like underwear, but with the cushion and environment protection of diapers, would be helpful - these can be laundered time and time again and used for the second and/or future children.

Good luck to both of you from both of us undergoing this currently as well,
M.

My son is 3 and half and it wasn't until about a month ago he decided to start going pee on the potty. We tried and tried for over a year to get him to go on the potty and one day he said "I'm just gonna do this now mom" and that was that. We have had 2 maybe 3 accidents since. Pooping is a different story! ;)Let him go. He will do it when he is ready. That's the way boys are.
Best Wishes!

P.,

My son is now 8 but I remember how hard potty training can be. Back then I was living with a roomate so I potty train my son and her daughter at the same time, which I think really helped. They have amazing and fun new potties these days. Do you have a little potty for him? If you do why don't you get some stickers and things for him to decorate it to make him feel a little more special about it. If not take him with you and let him pick out whatever potty he wants. They have ones with sound effects and everything now.
If he ever does go, even a little, have a parade, literally! We used to dance around like in look who's talking two singing the cha cha of pee pee in the potty and the kids loved it!
Also for boys let him try standing up, although I recommend doing this on a tile floor because he will miss but put cherios in the potty for him to aim at. This is a little more fun using a stool and the big potty because the cherios will float or just put a little water in his little potty. If he has trouble pooping. Read a potty book to him while he is sitting down on the toilet. Reading works for adults, why not kids? I recommend Once upon a potty and everybody poops.
Hope this helps! Good luck!
And don't worry about what other people say, talk to your doctor, boys always take longer!

Don't rush things. If he's not ready then he's not ready. I tried to potty train my son when he was 2 1/2 because there were other kids his age that were already potty trained and my mother in law kept pushing the topic so I thought the same as you. My son is now 3 1/2 years old and still not potty trained. We forced the issue so much it became a negative experience and he truly was not ready.

I also understand the cost issue as well because my children are 21 months apart and I have the same problem I've just had to cut back in other areas for now.

First of all, tell anyone who says he should be potty trained by now to mind their own business. Potty training is hard � for him and for you. I am going trough it right now with my 2nd child. Unfortunately, you are going to have to figure out what works for him, and that may just be time. If you have not tried any of the following, here are some ideas.
A timer to go off every 45 min. or so, with �potty time� indicated by the timer.
Pampers has a great potty training web sight, especially if he likes Dora or Spider Man.
Sticker charts, search the internet, you can print them for free.
A doll that will go pee (don�t spend a fortune on the ones from the internet) I got a great one from Toys R Us that was made by Fisher price � I didn�t have this with my son, but got it with my daughter, and it made the whole thing click for her much faster.
DVD�s � Bear in the big blue house has a great one, there are also a lot at the library. In fact the Library has a whole �potty section�. It takes a lot of time, patience, and consistency in my experience � unless you just get lucky.

My son was potty trained just before he turned 3 � my daughter is 25 months and is almost there, but refuses to poop in the potty. I believe the normal time frame is anywhere between 18 months and 4 years � with around 2 � being average, with boy�s having a slightly older average than girls by only a month or two.

I also have a 2 1/2 year old - and he will occassionally go on the potty. I have heard that you should not pressure them to be potty trained - that it will be much easier if you let them decide when they are ready. I know that is hard when you have another one in diapers.

My 2 1/2 year old is very independent and I don't think it is worth setting up a power struggle over the potty. I am going to wait awhile longer to see if he will take more of an interest on his own.

I have also heard that it takes boys longer than it does girls - maybe your next one will be easier.

C.

Hi P..

I have the same problem as you. I have a 2 1/2 year old daughter. When she just turned 2 she was very interested in going on the potty. I don't know what happened, but now she wants nothing to do with it. I have an almost 11 month old in diapers, too. I agree with you with how expensive diapers are. I guess I just need to be patient and wait. All I have to say is to tell everyone that tells you that he should be potty trained to mind their own business. Thankfully, so far no one has said anything to me like that.

Good luck!
A.

No matter what anyone says, each child starts at their own speed. My son started early, but he had and older child to look up to and try to follow. Also having dad or grandfather to to copy off of helps. If you try to make children use the potty before their ready(not lazy)they tend to regress, and if you get angry with them it makes potty training a nightmare because they associate it with something negitive. I've have personally potty trained several children and have realized along the way sometimes you have to start out slow and kind of go at their speed. Expensive as diapers are you have to hang in there. It's better to have a well rounded child than to have full pockets in the long run. You might want to try Froot Loops in the potty and make it a game for him to try to aim at the cereal in the toilet. Good Luck!!

Boys almost always take longer than girls. For my son we had to do everything to get him to go. When my daughter potty trained I started by putting her on the potty chair in front of one of her favorite shows. I kept her there until she went so she could find out what she was supposed to do there. After she went I praised her and made a big deal. Didn't work with the boy though. Good Luck.

Im undertand your pain my daughter im done everything finlly she will go sometimes they take time. I know is hard god bless

Hi P.,
My son is 3 1/2 and he just got potty trained less than a month ago. Don't rush it. When he is ready a little light will click on and he will do it. I babysit a 2 1/2 year old and his mom wants to get "aggressive" about potty training him. He is soooooo not ready. Don't sweat it. He'll do it eventually.

Maybe you can get him spend some time with other kids near his age that are in underwear. They are the best teachers. Jack is in daycare and he relates to the other kids in his class that are wearing underwear. He wants to be just like Colin or Nicholas.

I can only imangine having two kids both in diapers. But i can tell you no matter how bad you want him trained ,the fact of the matter is it will not happen until he is ready. When my four yr old son was two he showed signs of wanting to go to the potty therefore we purchased one and pretty much let him get acquainted with it himself. Whenever his dad went to the bathroom my son would follow, at first he would sit there as long as his dad would without doing anything but we applauded his intentions. The first time he pee peed we made a really big deal about it, we clapped our hands we jumped around banging two cooking pot tops saying " big boy pee pee on the potty". We did that every time he used the potty it was like he got used to the praise so he couldn't wait until we did it again. At one point he would go get the tops and start the praise himself so i am sure that was a wonderful ego boost for him. But the main thing is you really can't make them, i know it is hard to swollow because you are the parent but it is just one of those things. But if you insist on continuing trying see if you can make a game of it. Put cherrios cereal in the toilet and tell him to aim at them, think of some type of reward if he hits the cereal.

P.,

My son is 2 1/1 and does the same thing. They simply aren't ready to potty train yet. From everything I've read, and that my pediatrian has told me, its best not to force them and smoother if you wait till they are ready. We continue to encourge Brendan and I'm sure one day, he'll actually go.

Every child is different and each of them learns at their own pace. My son was very resistant to potty training and didn't really have an interest in going on the potty until he was 3 1/2. Some of his peers were trained when they were 2, others aren't trained yet- it all depends on the child.

Mine seriously just decided to go "one day". We had been trying to train him since he turned 2 1/2 and tried EVERYTHING (rewards, stickers, movies in the bathroom, big boy underwear all day, pull ups, no underwear, etc.) and nothing worked. Then magically one day recently, he decided to do it.

Our doctor said to encourage and not push, and to not compare your child to other people's children. Every child is different and he will learn in his own time. I figured he wouldn't be going to go to college in a pull up- he'd learn eventually- and he did. Just relax- he'll be ready when he is ready.

My son was almost 3 1/2 before he was fully potty trained. I know lots of 3 year olds who are not potty trained and I've always heard that boys take longer. From my experience, the more the issue is pushed, the longer it will take.

-L.

I get it!!! My son is 3 1/2 & just now is doing great! The first thing I recommend is don't listen to anyone but you & your son. He get when he's ready. The hardest thing for me to learn was that they have their own timetable. I was even told to let him go wet for awhile. My son couldn't have cared less. He had wet underpants, jeans, & socks. He didn't care. Just 2 weeks ago, I told him that I wasn't buying anymore diapers. On a Monday, we started w/the potty. We had 2 days of 5-6 accidents, then he would only go if he was so full that he was leaking. Then, one day, he got. He sits and pees. The only 2 "problems" is sometimes he won't tell us & go by himself. Great except for the aiming. #2 he won't poop in the potty. I figure peeing came with time, so will pooping. The best advice I have is relax & don't listen to other people. If not today, try again in a couple weeks. Good luck.