Potty Training Clicky Poll

Sawyerplus1

Background: my DS is 3.5. We've tried PTing within the last year a time or two, but the attempts were brief as it seemed clear he just wasn't ready. He has a language delay (both expressive and receptive). But he knows what the potty's for and anytime we'd put him on it, he'd pee, even if just a dribble.

He starts playschool for his language delay in 2 weeks. They require kids be PT'd to attend, but for 'fully funded' kids, like DS, they can make exceptions. However, since he's 3.5 and starting school, I think this would be a great time to get him out of diapers. 

We've had him out of diapers all weekend. Saturday, being the first day, we expected accidents and adjustments. We stayed home all day and focused on taking DS to the potty frequently (about every 15 minutes). We noticed right away that he would pee every time we put him on the potty, and frequently have accidents in between. Day 2, yesterday, was much the same but we tried to venture outside a bit more and therefore he was more distracted and we were not putting him on the potty quite as often. Day 3 has been on and off. We went all morning with only 2 accidents, but DS didn't tell me even once that he had to go potty; I was just being really diligent about putting him on. This afternoon, however, has been bad. He's peeing everywhere, all the time. Once, and this was very exciting, he said "pee potty!", we ran to the bathroom, and he had a good long pee, and kept his underwear dry. I thought, "finally, it's clicked!". About 2 minutes later the same thing happened. At first I thought he was just excited by my response to the time before, but no, he had another full pee. Nonetheless I was excited he told me and made it to the potty. But then, within 10 minutes, he peed all over my floor. He has since peed on the couch, and again on the floor. But like I said, anytime I put him on the potty, he produces something. And aside from the couple successful times, he also never tells me when he needs to go, or that he has gone. 

Needless to say, I am exhausted from the process, my house is covered in pee, I'm constantly washing undies, and I can't get a single thing done or go out anywhere because I need to get him on the potty every 10 -15 mins to (try to) avoid accidents . Also, because of the ridiculous frequency with which he pees, he's in pull ups for naps and nights. 

[Poll]

Spin313

IMO, I'd keep going but stretch the bathroom visits to every half an hour (not 10-15 minutes). I know you said you need to take him frequently to avoid accidents, but if he's peeing a little every 10 minutes then he's not learning the sensation of NEEDING to go and holding it for short amounts of time.

KathrynMD

The frequent peeing seems a little concerning. Ditto PP re stretching out the time a little bit. Also what about some bribes - stickers, M&Ms, etc.

kyfirewife

Spin313:

IMO, I'd keep going but stretch the bathroom visits to every half an hour (not 10-15 minutes). I know you said you need to take him frequently to avoid accidents, but if he's peeing a little every 10 minutes then he's not learning the sensation of NEEDING to go and holding it for short amounts of time.

This.

I know you want to avoid accidents, but I would guess this might be part of the problem. DD is almost 100% PTed, the biggest problem being that she doesn't usually feel the need to go until her bladder is full, full, full and she's about to pee her pants. She also confuses the sensation of having to pee and having to poo. They need a chance to learn what that feels like.

To give you an idea, at her school (she's in the 2 yo class), they have the kids go potty (or try, if they're not PTed yet) every 2 hours, but they also have access to the potty all day (it's in the room).

GL!

Sawyerplus1

KathrynMD:

The frequent peeing seems a little concerning. Ditto PP re stretching out the time a little bit. Also what about some bribes - stickers, M&Ms, etc.

Yep, we use candy. 

Sawyerplus1

kyfirewife:

Spin313:

IMO, I'd keep going but stretch the bathroom visits to every half an hour (not 10-15 minutes). I know you said you need to take him frequently to avoid accidents, but if he's peeing a little every 10 minutes then he's not learning the sensation of NEEDING to go and holding it for short amounts of time.

This.

I know you want to avoid accidents, but I would guess this might be part of the problem. DD is almost 100% PTed, the biggest problem being that she doesn't usually feel the need to go until her bladder is full, full, full and she's about to pee her pants. She also confuses the sensation of having to pee and having to poo. They need a chance to learn what that feels like.

To give you an idea, at her school (she's in the 2 yo class), they have the kids go potty (or try, if they're not PTed yet) every 2 hours, but they also have access to the potty all day (it's in the room).

GL!

I think today I will stretch it out. I had tried yesterday to do it, but when he's having so many accidents as a result, it got exhausting. And when they have accidents arent you supposed to put them on the potty right away anyway? So then, even if not by my choice, he's still sitting on the potty frequently. Man, I never expected to feel so at a  loss about PTing.

Thanks everyone for your responses!