XP: Boys and Potty Training - Need Help

abpdjs

Let me begin with I started putting Carson on the potty seat at 17 months (potty ring) and he started peeing on the potty after about one week.  We only did this right before bed just to get him used to the idea - he was never afraid of the potty.  He has even pooped in it about 5 times.  I always praised him no matter what the outcome was.  We did not use rewards at this time, I just did not want to for many reasons.

Starting at 2 years old when he started a new room (2 yr toddler room) at school they started to put him on the potty at every diaper change (every 2 hours) and if the kids pee they get 1 mini marshmellow, if they poop they get 2 mini marshmellows.  I wasn't crazy about the reward factor but started using it at home to keep things consistent.  Well, 3 weeks after Carson started this new room the main teacher went on maternity leave (she is known for being good with getting the kids trained in that room).  While she was gone I did not push the potty thing at home, I felt that once she returned he would be a little older and I can be more consistent once she comes back. 

Well this teacher has been back for 2 weeks now and I spoke with her about Carson on the potty, she mentioned he would only sit for a few secs and then want to get up.  I asked her to encourage him to sit for a little longer but don't push it either.  The other weekend I tried really hard to be consistent with him on the potty every two hours - but it was tough.  He did not want to stop what he was doing to sit on the potty.  I tried to work through the brief fit and once he was on the potty he sat there just fine but no pee/ or he would pee only a little and then as soon as the diaper was back on he would let lose.

Since then, I have just tried to ask him and of course - he always says, "no!"  Also, about every few days he is waking up completely dry from sleeping for 12 hours, when I notice this I put him on the potty (he is still kind of out of it) he sits and pees with no problems.

I DON'T KNOW WHAT TO DO!!!!!!!!!!!! I like that school is sitting him on the potty and I think he is more inclined to stop and sit there b/c it is part of the routine at school and all the other kids are doing it.  What should I be doing at home?!

Temp108743750006959

keep him in underwear or naked and don't put him on every 2 hours. wait for him to tell you he has to go or wait 3 hours instead of 2 (some kids are camels!) and expect a few accidents. I'd continue with the rewards, or find a reward that has more value to him, like a few m&ms.

PT, imo, is a long process -- I never get the 'two day potty' sessions. But I also have a kid that likes to ease into things, so that might be part of it.

also, make up a song about 'stopping to play to go and pee' -- that might help. and the first time he stops playing to pee, make a big deal.

the other thing we did was read to him on the potty or use a Leap Frog (the bus, the older one). Yeah, it's a lot of work for a parent, but eventually -- a long eventually -- they don't need it nor do they need you in the bathroom. But he make enjoy the attention.

femmegem

IDK, he's so young that I probably wouldn't be inclined to push it, personally. My DS PTed at 2.5 and I thought that was really early (he was showing signs of readiness... we weren't! LOL). I'd back off until he's more interested, but if you want to persevere you could try other rewards, sticker charts, etc.

Temp108743750006959

yeah, we didn't do anything like 2.5 or so.

lsufan

He's still pretty young, so if he's not ready I wouldn't worry about it at all right now.  If you feel he could be ready with a little push, then I'd wait for the weekend and let him go naked at home for several hours.  That's what it took before it clicked with Evan.  It was like he needed to see the pee actually coming out.  He had one accident on the floor before he started running to the potty when he had to go.  It still took several weeks before he was ok wearing underwear and leaving the house, but letting him go naked in the beginning really seemed to help.