Unusual but proven tips to potty training?

Question

we are potty training our 2 year old and have tried everything. Anyone have any not so run of the mill advice that actually works? Like i said we've tried everything, the sitting reading, coloring, asking every 5 mins, taking him in when we go,you name it we've probably tired it.............PLEASE HELP

Answer 1

Well, people may disagree with this, but it was the ONLY way my son would use the potty.

For a while I had my son sit on this cute potty I bought, practice pottying with daddy and me, gave him a video, etc. He knew about the potty, but had decided it didn't interest him to go in it every single time. So...

One day I took off his diaper and pants in the AM when he woke up and I said, "you go in the potty now because you are such a big boy and mommy thinks you can do it". So, for one whole week he didn't wear pants or anything at all. We stayed home all week, by the way. He started pottying the very first day! But, I still put pull-ups on at night. I was scared...So, by the second week I had just put on regular underwear on him and he did good-two weeks he was day potty trained. Then, about two months later I decided, no more pull-ups (because he was using them like a diaper in the mornings). And i told him he would no longer use these pull-ups and must use the toilet. So, he woke up dry every morning since and still does.

I think it's the absolute "this is what you do now" and the no pants that totally worked. Very matter of fact and no big deal is how I approached it. "no, worries, this is what everyone does" and he went with it.

Answer 2

I just want to say that he is probably not ready yet.  With my first, we tried potty training her when she turned 2.  No luck, so I waited about 5 months later.  OK, but not consistent.  I tried again 6 months later, when she turned 3 and she did GREAT.  They will learn on their own - trust me.  Don't push it, because you will make yourself crazy, like I did.  With my second child (28 months) we are practicing, but she's not liking it.  She'll wake up dry some mornings, but still no pee-pee in the potty.  I'm not consistent yet, I'll try again in a few months.  I know she's not quite there yet.

Answer 3

I really agree with what krissyy said. Also, you can tell him you have to practice what to do when he has an accident. Let him go back to where he was when it happened. Say that you are going to practice what to do. Say something like, "I have to go potty, here I go," and take him by the hand to the bathroom. Then go through the whole potty thing, sitting on it, etc.

Answer 4

don't use pullups except for sleeptime.  Also, if you are going out somewhere and feel inclined to use a pullup - put it on OVER the underwear, that way he still has the underwear feeling.  otherwise, you may want to wait a week or so and then start back up - he may just not be ready.

Answer 5

This is unusual, and I fully expect some major thumbs down but it worked!

My son refused to poo in the potty.  So I took off his diaper and pants and had him go naked for a few days.  Obviously, we stayed around the house.  The first time he snuck into his room and left a stinky, I took him in to look at it.  Yucky.  That only goes into the potty.  Mommy will clean it up this time, but next time you're going to put it into the potty.  

Fast forward a few hours, and we're there again staring at a new pile of stinky.  I say "Now it's your turn to put the poo into the potty."  I take his hand and help him scoop it up (no gloves or anything) and we take it to the potty.  (gagging and dry heaving)  We put it in and flush.  Good Job! (as I quickly cover his hand in antibacterial foam soap)  You put the stinky into the potty!  Next time, tell Mommy and you can sit on the potty and put it in.  We washed up really well.

Repeat this scenario.  Never get mad.  Just make him carry it to the potty and then wash him off really well.  It took 3 tries, and he was convinced that sitting on the potty to poo was the best solution. :)

I admit it was extreme, but it took care of the problem in less than 48 hours instead of dragging the battle out for weeks, months or years.  ;)

Answer 6

My sons started potty training standing up so they could build bladder control by watching what was happening and connecting the sensations.  I researched and found a very sturdy stool with sides for the toilet so they could be safe and hold on the whole time without touching the toilet.  http://www.amazon.com/Elite-Child-Corpor...

My sons were so excited that they could climb up on their own and feel comfortable on the single step platform.  This stool made all the difference for them and was well worth it.  Hope this helps.

Answer 7

All you needto do is convince him hes a big boy and big boys use potties. frequently say stuff like " Hows my big boy doing? Does our little power ranger need a poopie? Big boys do poopies!" After we convinced my baby brother he was a power rager and power rangers do big boy poopoos hes been very easy.

Answer 8

Put him on the potty every 30 mins or so throughout the day. Put his big boy potty somewhere that is out of the way but yet he can always see it .. Keep him in big boy undies .. he will have a few accidents .. hopefully you won't mind the clean up .. but let him know he needs to go on the potty if he has an accident . I did the sticker chart and reward thing, the first few days every time he went on the potty I would praise him, high five, make a huge deal about it, then we would go and put a sticker on his chart and I would give him a gummy snack. He completely has forgotten about the gummy snacks and now he just goes potty on his potty all the time .. At the end of the night we count up the stickers and he gets a cookie after dinner. We're still working on the pulling down his undies. Best of luck to you with your potty training adventure :]