Three years old this October and still in nappies?`?

Question

My nephew will be three very soon and although his mother introduced a potty to him when he was two years old, he's still in nappies. She takes his nappy off first thing in the morning and sits him on the potty/toilet then puts pants on him but by the time he's had his breakfast he's probably wet himself at least four times. It doesn't even seem to bother him when he soils himself. She'll put him on the toilet and he'll insist that he doesn't need a pee, five minutes later he wets himself. He poos everywhere and a few times he's even played with his toys in it. He's peed on her coffe table countless times and generally runs rings around her.

I can't decide whether he's lazy, naughty or if he sincerely doesn't understand. To be fair to her, she really does try, and now she's at her wits end.

Has anyone else had similar problems and if so how did you overcome them?

Answer 1

My daughter was 4 1/2 be for she finally got it. I would not keep trying and wait a month and try again. My son is now 3 and we have tried and he wants to but he doesn't understand the urge be for and that was  the same problem my daughter had. But one day she got up and it clicked. Some kids just take longer then others to get the urge. The other thing I was told which didn't work with my kids but i know people that it has is letting him control over some thing like what to eat for lunch or when it is time to clean up.... the going may be his only control and kids want to have some. Just things to think about.

Answer 2

my boy was in training nappies until nursery i sent hm to nursery and with in a week he was toilet trained.. once he he gets to nursery he will want to be like the other kids and it will happen try not to worry each to there own..

Answer 3

Don't push it.  My sister had a much worse issue with her child and from what I understood from her, their bowels / urinations are the only thing they have control over.  (Parent controls bed, food, clothes, play time, etc.) so they control it to the Nth degree.  It will happen when it happens you can only hope for the best.  

Good luck!

Answer 4

Does he have much contact with children his own age - like at nursery or something?

My son was much the same, but when he saw other little boys peeing on the toilet he instantly wanted to do the same. Problem solved.

Answer 5

Boys usually take longer to potty train than girls. It seems to me there is more than one problem. First problem might be that he just needs more time to adjust to the idea of using the toilet and he will eventually tell your sister when he's ready. He also seems to think it's funny when he soils himself so his mother needs to be firm with him to let him know that it is NOT OK to potty in his pants anymore. One strategy is to make going to the potty fun. one parent i knew made up a song so when ever their child went in the toilet the mom would sing it. it got the child to thinking potting in the toilet was not only fun but a special time spent  between their mother. Another good idea is give an incentive to go on the toilet. I would make a very simple chart to show him if he used the potty so many times he would get a toy or a special treat like ice cream and every time he went in his pants he would have to start all over again to get his treat. this method not only give him a reason to use the toilet but teaches him that if he does wet himself there is a consequence

Answer 6

My son turned 3 last September.  He wasn't potty-trained until only a couple weeks before his birthday.  He still wore diapers up to that point because he just wasn't ready.  Some children do take much longer than others.  Especially boys.  If she's seriously concerned, she should talk to his pediatrician.

Answer 7

He's not ready...be patient. One of my boys didn't potty train until he was 4 but his other brothers were earlier and both different. Don't fight it - you will always lose and the kid will win. I guarantee it will happen eventually.

Answer 8

I'm not sure either.  My son was potty trained by his first birthday, due to pure luck.  I wasn't ready for it, he just told me he had to go and then he had me follow him to the bathroom.  Really lucky!  

My advice though, take some time off from the training.  Forget about the potty for awhile and just spend time with him.  Remind him that he's loved and let him know that when he's ready to be a big boy, to let mommy know.  Don't treat him like a baby.  Mommy needs a break or she's going to go crazy.  To him frustrating mommy is just as much fun as having real fun with her.  It gets her undivided attention every time.

Answer 9

my mate is going through same thing with her 3 yearold i think little boys take longer than girls my mates son will go to toilet all day long when it comes poo time well he just wont go and needs a nappie kids wont go to they are ready i would not push him he will go in his own time and no time like summer to put up with him wetting its easy to train them in the summer gl with it

Answer 10

My son wasn't potty trained until 2 weeks before his third birthday but my daughter was 22 months.

All kids are different and perhaps your nephew is just not ready.

You don't hear of kids starting school in nappies - he will get there eventually.