10 pnts...My 2 1/2 year old son refuses to wear underwear...

Question

He will walk around with a diaper and take it off to go to the bathroom. He goes all day on the toilet. I don't get it? I bought him underwear with Diego on them, because that is his favorite character. I tried pull ups, because it's like a diaper/underwear. He cries and takes them off. If I ask him if he wants to wear his underwear whines no, and runs aways from me. If I try to put them on him he freaks out, so I don't do that anymore, because I dont want to force him into this. just don't know what to do anymore. Could it be that his brother is one and still in diapers? He goes to the bathroom all day in the toilet, sometimes in his diaper...but I am having a hard time with this, and would love to hear any suggestions or stories if you have been through this. Thanks in advance!

Answer 1

No more diapers! Toss 'em away...If he asks tell him he's too old for diapers, and that it's either the undies or nothing.

  He already knows what's expected, so it's not going to traumatize him to lose his diapers. He'll be fine. If he wants to run around the house with his hiney hanging out, let him for a day or two, then start yelling "Oh my gosh! I can see your butt!!!!" that ought to get him into some pants pretty quick!

Answer 2

Does he wear other pants besides diapers and swim shorts?  What does he wear under them?  Or does he object to wearing outer pants also?  Maybe you can get him to wear swim shorts as underwear and then transition to regular underwear from there.  Frankly, I don't see much value in fighting to get him to wear underwear if he doesn't want.  There doesn't seem to be any real benefit to either of you at this point.

Answer 3

My neice was around the same age and ready. She was doing the same things as your son, going to the bathroom in the toliet, but wouldn't let go of the diapers.

So day care helped (but if youre a SAHM you can mimick it as well.)

They gave here a tour of toddler room, with all these great toys, kids and snacks and got her exited to be there.  But then told her "ts only for big kids, no diapers allowed in here."

I think she saw the room Wenesday and was in the toddler room that Monday.

If you're a SAHM maybe do the same thing with a really cool game, a gym class, a better part of the park, a priveldge he really wants, etc.

Just do it very " matter of factly" like 'sweetie, mommy wants youto go there too, but they don't allow people in diapers there.  When youre a big boy and in big boy pants you can go.

Also, 2 1/2 isnt old for a boy...so it might take a little while.  

Hang in there, he'll get it.  

Answer 4

has he ever worn underwear at wet his pants and been scolded for it?  cause he may have a fear of doing that again.  but if not, maybe he just doesnt want to be a big boy.  show him all of the good/exciting things about being a big boy.

maybe take him to the park and let him play on the big playground that he's never gotten to play on before, or find a boardgame that he's never played before that is a little more mature than games that he has played before, or something like that. Show him how fun it is to be a big boy.  then, after he really starts to enjoy being a big kid, suggest to him that if he is gonna continue doing the big boy things he should probably start dressing like a big boy....maybe buy him a whole new outfit to go along with him underwear.

good luck =)

Answer 5

I would try taking him shopping with you and letting him pick out whatever underwear he likes.  Even though you got him his favorite character on them, he may want something different.  Or he may just want some control in the situation, ie. he may not be able to have a choice about wearing underwear, but he can choose which underwear he wears.  I would try this, if it doesn't work then I think you are doing the right thing by not pushing the issue.  Just drop it for a couple of weeks and try again.  I doubt he'll go to college wearing diapers :)

Answer 6

well in going through the same thing now! with my daughter i bought her the night time pull ups,and when she wants to go she just goes and pulls them down/up.and the days i want her to wear panties i put them over the pull ups....u might think its dumb but it works

Answer 7

if your SAHM and he is home with you try not letting him wear anything  and just get rid of all the diapers so he only has the choice of underwear

Answer 8

sounds like a bit of sibling rivalvy going on here. he is no longer the baby, and still wants to be, so by not making the transition from diaper to underwear, in his toddler way he thinks he will still be your baby. tell him how lucky his brother is to have a big brother like him to show him how its done. appeal to his ego (works with men all the time), by telling him how special he is to be the eldest, when he starts to believe in how special he is, he might comply more.

good luck

Answer 9

I agree with a lot that's already been written.  Take him to the store, make sure to pump him up for it so that he gets excited if you can, and let him pick out his own underwear (my son loved this!).  Also, you may want to point out that Daddy or someone he looks up to wears big boy underwear and doesn't he want to be a big boy, too?  That can also apply to Diego or whichever character is his favorite at the time.  And make a big deal when he puts them on.  I used to tell my son he looked bigger already when he put them on and he was just like Daddy!  

Answer 10

take the diego pants away from him and put them on the baby.

over his nappy, but dont let big brother see the nappy.

he'll soon want them back!

and baby won't care...