What is the best way to pottytrain a 3yr old boy? I have tried just about everything and he flat-out refuses?

Question

I have tried candy,rewards,bribes,charts - nothing is working. He will sit on the potty, but never goes until he has his underwear or pull up on at bedtime. I ask him why and he just changes the subject or doesn't answer.

Answer 1

embarrassment works every time.  tell him kids are going to make fun of him and laugh.  it will get him into shape.

Answer 2

My 18 month old is already potty trained and how did I do it? I just didn't make it a big deal. I made it part of his life gradually since he could sit. It worked! I would suggest not to make it a big deal because when you start to train an older child, they know that they have the POWER to say NO and they use it because they know you will not push him on that subject. So again, I would just NOT make it a big deal. Daddy and mommy go potty and so is he. It's warm outside so just let him run without his diaper on so he realizes when he had an accident. It might be messy for a while but it will be worthed in the long run. Just focus on it and don't give up. if you start and stop again, you will show him that he can have the last word in this... Again- just don't make it a big deal...kids know... Good Luck!

Answer 3

maybe he's just not ready. keep trying and be consistent. he'll get the hang of it soon enough.

Answer 4

What has been working for us is what we are calling potty training bootcamp. For the first two or three days I sat out in the backyard with him and a gallon of water and a kiddie pool, and a potty. We let him run around naked so that when he started to pee he could see what was happening. He learned to put the feeling and the action togethor. By the end of the weekend he was getting better about knowing when he had to pee. Starting Monday we put him in underpants with plastic pants and took him to the potty every 20 min wether he had to go or not. If he was dry all morning he got a sticker and then if he is dry all afternoon he get another. When he had earned 5 stickers he gets a brownie(his favorite)

It takes time, but he is starting to get the idea. You just need to be patient and find out what motivates him. For us it is brownies, Once you start you can't stop and it is best to try to stay home for at least a week, until she is relaiably dry at home. If we have to go out we still use pull ups.

I wouldn't worry too much. Children learn to use the toilet anywhere between the ages of 18 months to 4 years old. I have seen plenty of 3 year olds who are still using pull ups occasionally. Every child is different and you need to find what works for you. When she gets it, she will start to move very fast and before you know it you will be giving away the diapers.

Good Luck

Heather

Answer 5

relax -he body needs to develop on its timetable and not yours.  NEVER punish, but continue encouraging.

Answer 6

I was a single mom when I potty trained my son!  I used to put colored cotton balls in the toilet water, and tell him he had to sink the ships...I am so serious!  It worked - or maybe he just got tired of the silly game - but it worked for me!

Answer 7

Let him pee himself. He won't like it...well hopefully not. LOL I had to do that with my daughter.

Answer 8

no t.v. no games nothing until he uses the potty, he obviously knows he is doing something wrong.

Answer 9

Maris has the right idea....make it fun !  It should not be a battle. A Friend of mine used the colored cheerio type cereal in the toilet bowl and challenged her son to hit them.

Answer 10

Some parents allow for the child to stay in the soiled clothes for a short time afterwards, so the child will experience the discomfort and relate going in his or her pants as being uncomfortable. Some kids do really well if they learn through a buddy system. My daugther was being potty trained at home and school when she was around 2 yrs. and she was encourage by seeing the others going to the potty.

Remember some kids don't take too fast to potty training as others.

Good Luck!

Answer 11

Try the book "Toilet Training in Less Than a Day".  It involves having the child teach a doll to use the potty then doing all the steps themselves and getting rewarded.  There's nothing better for learning how to do something than teaching someone else.  Also, really important at this age is having someone besides you as a motivator, e.g. your spouse, a beloved uncle or aunt or grandparent, or even a neighbor to inquire whether he is going to the potty on his own and to congratulate him on successes.  Kids are more resistant at 3 years old, so this book should help.