2+ and ZERO interest

kknoll59

My little guy just has zero interest. No matter what I try to intice him with, no go. He has a 4 year old big brother who has also tried to show him the ropes but he just doesn't care. I put him in his undies of choice and I'll put him on the various training potties we're trying, he'll sit for a minute, say "no potty comes out!", get off and go pee in the living room 2 mins later. This fall he's supposed to start going to montessori with his big bro, which he is soooo excited for, but they won't take him unless he's PT. Help!!

Bigboobsmcgee

It sucks that you have the pressure of getting him PT'd before starting school but you really can't push it or I promise you, it will just take even longer.

I hate to say it because it might discourage you more, but my son was over 3 before he even considered trying potty training. Then one day he literally woke up and decided to never wear a diaper again. It was crazy.

You just have to be patient.

*LrCg*

Admittedly, I have a different thought of PT then most people and I know what's worked for my family and friends I've helped.  I think if a child can follow simple instructions they are capable of PT- I've never been one to say I child is too young to PT.  At over 2 years old, he's more then capable and I wouldn't give the option.  None of my kids ever came up to me and asked if they could PT- I just said it's time.  I look at it this way- if your 2 year old still didn't want to feed himself with a fork would you still feed him yourself or would you look at him and say- nope you're 2 and capable of feeding yourself.  When he was learning to walk did you never help him and say we'll when you're ready to walk you'll do it on your own with no help from me?  Of course not!  PT is a milestone like everything else. 

I understand you said he'll sit and do nothing then pee on the floor minutes later.  Was that the first day of PT?  A few days into it?  Because for some kids that's normal.  All my kids were under 1 1/2 years old when trained.  My daughters did it in 1-2 days and my sons took 5-7 days (FWIW my daughters were months younger then my sons when PT).  Grab some vinyl table cloths, place them on the floor and do naked time with a potty on it.  People think accidents on a floor are bad- its not, it's learning.  Your son is older, he's 2, he's going to have to learn the feeling of pee coming out of him before he grasps that that feeling should happen over a toilet.  Give him some time. 

Bigboobsmcgee

*LrCg* said:

Admittedly, I have a different thought of PT then most people and I know what's worked for my family and friends I've helped.  I think if a child can follow simple instructions they are capable of PT- I've never been one to say I child is too young to PT.  At over 2 years old, he's more then capable and I wouldn't give the option.  None of my kids ever came up to me and asked if they could PT- I just said it's time.  I look at it this way- if your 2 year old still didn't want to feed himself with a fork would you still feed him yourself or would you look at him and say- nope you're 2 and capable of feeding yourself.  When he was learning to walk did you never help him and say we'll when you're ready to walk you'll do it on your own with no help from me?  Of course not!  PT is a milestone like everything else. 

I understand you said he'll sit and do nothing then pee on the floor minutes later.  Was that the first day of PT?  A few days into it?  Because for some kids that's normal.  All my kids were under 1 1/2 years old when trained.  My daughters did it in 1-2 days and my sons took 5-7 days (FWIW my daughters were months younger then my sons when PT).  Grab some vinyl table cloths, place them on the floor and do naked time with a potty on it.  People think accidents on a floor are bad- its not, it's learning.  Your son is older, he's 2, he's going to have to learn the feeling of pee coming out of him before he grasps that that feeling should happen over a toilet.  Give him some time. 

I don't fully agree with that because it's more about being ready physically. I don't think you can compare it to using a fork. You can compare it to walking, but not using utensils. That's not like physically being able to hold it and make it to a toilet.

SLGILL1978

You shouldn't have to force potty training. Maybe your son isn't developmentally ready. Forcing can cause it to take a lot longer than necessary and/or regressions. When your son shows signs and/or interest, put him on the pot. When he asks, put him on the pot. He still has time as most kids aren't using the potty until 3-3.5 years. I would just back off for a few weeks and follow his lead. 

TwizBeans

SLGILL1978 said:

You shouldn't have to force potty training. Maybe your son isn't developmentally ready. Forcing can cause it to take a lot longer than necessary and/or regressions. When your son shows signs and/or interest, put him on the pot. When he asks, put him on the pot. He still has time as most kids aren't using the potty until 3-3.5 years. I would just back off for a few weeks and follow his lead. 

This.