Potty Training Question - Canton,MI

Hi J.! Your son is starting to show signs but don't push it. My son is almost three and I work in a day care and I have noticed that most boys are not ready till the are 3 or older. I have always kept a little potty in the bathroom for my kids if they want to sit on it and have fun, just so they have the idea of going. My son started about three months ago wanting to sit on the big potty. I have noticed that if I push my son into potty training that he gets frustrated and just wants his diaper on. Oh, if you get the potty that plays music when he pees its fun! My son loved it! (I think its the Royal Throne). These are just suggestions. Good luck with potty training! Have a great holiday season!

I have four kids...and each one was different. Not what you wanted to hear, is it? lol Probably lots of people will respond addressing the actual training issue. I will address the potty issue. Two of mine liked a little potty seat of their own, one wanted a small seat on the big potty, the youngest just wanted to go right on the big potty like everyone else. She never wanted a little one at all. It might take a bit to decide what he likes, but I would find that out and go with what makes you both most comfortable. I believe there are issues you should definitely be rigid about. Personally, this was not the hill I wanted to die on, if you know what I mean. It'll come.

I think the longer you wait to introduce the potty the scarier it can be for the child. Explain to the child what the little potty is for. Put the little potty near his corner. When he goes to the corner to poop ask him if he would like to go on the potty. If he says no or seems disinterested, don't push, just keep asking. After he poops his diaper put it in the potty. He will begin to get it. Try to offer the potty when he wakes in the morning and after nap. Put him on the potty and read him books to get him to sit there. If he doesn't like his diaper off leave it on at first. If he likes his diaper off leaving him naked seems to advance potty training quickest. Doesn't have to be all day just during the pottytime, or the time you can comfortable set aside to watch him, or longer if you don't mind the potty misses.

My oldest son did the same thing, always the corner behind his toy box and he always wanted me to change him right after. It didn't take too long after that and he was using the potty to poo, but it took much longer to pee. He was about 2 when we started, but I just followed his signs and didn't rush him, truthfully I think it took about a year until he was finally potty trained and that includes no accidents at night, but I was happy that he started going poo on the potty so early. I started by trying to catch him climbing into his corner and then I'd scoop him up and we'd run to the bathroom and make a game out of it. Other signs were staying dry throughout the night and nap time. My son also would not use the kid potty, he liked the potty that attached to the toilet.

Good luck - i am just starting potty training with my daughter :-)

Hi!
I have 4 kids and I didn't even consider potty training the first 3 until they could go all night and be dry when they woke up. My 4th still isn't there and she's 2 1/2. She's close though. I refuse to do pull up. For me, it's either potty trained or not. If not, they wear a diaper, they are cheaper and easier to clean up.

As far as a potty seat, I have both types. The seat on the toilet is better for obvious reasons. The other works fine but is really gross to clean and if you don't do a really good job tend to stink. It's really all about what you're willing to deal with. If you go with the seat on the toilet make sure you have a stool for him to climb up.
You could try getting a book and video about potty training now. I like "Once Upon a Potty". My kids still like to watch it and read the book.
Good luck with what ever you decide to do!

Sounds like he's ready to start playing with potties.so to speak. take him to the store and have him help you pick a little potty that you can put in his relaxing places( by that I mean have him sit on it while watching his favorite show, if you allow tv that is)and includebooks2look at,and invite him to sit on his while you go, if you're comfortable with that, heck maybe you should put one in the poopy corner?! I found having them sit on the potty at leisure put mine at ease with it. I hear boys are harder than girls, but they all need a patient, caring guide on thier road to successful potty habits. either way it is something we all learn to do. remember to get really happy about sucessful attempts and ideas. well wishes ;)

Hi J.,

My name is E. and I am a mom of a 6 year old as well as a Director for a preschool.
I do think you should get a potty that attaches to the toilet. If you start with a potty and then try to change him over later, this may scare him. The BIG potty can be very intimidating, unless you use it everyday from the start. I would start now, even if he's not interested. Every diaper change could be done in the bathroom. This shows him what the bathroom is for. He can also sit on the toilet, even if only for a second, then put a new diaper on. By doing this, as he gets older, it will just come naturally.
Another thing you can do, when you think he's ready, put real underwear on under his pullup. This way he starts to feel what happens and it usually encourages them not to go in their pants, and at the same time you will not have to deal with such a huge mess.

Hope this helps,
E.