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Frustrated with potty training. Is he not ready???

smiley2smiley2
in Parenting

DS is 3 years 2 months.  He wants to be "potty trained" and wants to wear undies, not diapers.  Today is day 4 and it's been a disaster- the worst of all days.  He pooped twice in his undies (he had done 2 previous poops on the potty without a problem).  And despite having him try to pee a half hour ago (and he said he couldn't go), he just peed in his undies (and told me as he was doing it).

I ask him at very regular intervals to use the potty and he's willing to do so, but often says he can't go (he goes through the motions, but says he can't pee).  I'm baffled by the poop.  I can't have him sit on the potty and "try" to poop at regular intervals (right??)?  Unless I hover over him, I don't know he's doing it until it's too late.

Is this normal?  Or is he just not ready?

I'm guessing the right answer is to just keep at it, it takes time, it's only day 4.  But I'm soooooooo frustrated and tired of this (it doesn't help that I'm SAHM and havre to deal with this all day- plus my DH was out of town for 2 of the 4 days). :(

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Re: Frustrated with potty training. Is he not ready???

  • Marce921Marce921 member
    We went cold turkey with DS just put him in undies and left his pants off. By the end of the first day, he went potty 3 times without an accident. Then, he had 2-3 days of all accidents. But, by a week, he stopped having accidents and doing well again. Definitely do NOT give up!! Keep it up. Smile
    Marcey
    Kaden William 11/4/06 and Dawson Michael 6/30/10
    Dawson's first birthday - at the zoo
    image
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  • smiley2smiley2

    imageMarce921:
    We went cold turkey with DS just put him in undies and left his pants off. By the end of the first day, he went potty 3 times without an accident. Then, he had 2-3 days of all accidents. But, by a week, he stopped having accidents and doing well again. Definitely do NOT give up!! Keep it up. Smile

    Thanks, that's exactly what I need- I really don't want to give up.  But man these poops in his undies are just disgusting and it ruins my whole day. :(  The first one was really in his swimsuit and I had to throw it away.

    We are also doing cold turkey- we talked about it with him first and he wants to be in undies and use the potty like his friends do.

    .... Sigh.....

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  • ilovemygirlsilovemygirls member
    Are you using some kind of reward system?  Potty chart for stickers, small treat (or sticker or whatever) when he goes?  If there's not some 'incentive', then definitely start that.  It is great that he is interested & wants to do it.  Another thing I've heard of is the 'potty fairy' rings her bell (timer) when it's time to try.  It doesn't sound like he's really resisting you though, instead just trying to figure it all out.  If you think that may help though, to make it more 'magical' or fun then try it out.  Poop can be hard for some kids- especially boys I've heard (generality, but still...).  Best of luck- it can take some time.  Always be positive & encourage- don't let him see your frustration, as hard as that is!
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  • coktcokt member
    Have you tried rewards just for trying? Did he get to pick out undies he was excited about? I know DS did not want to get Thomas the Train wet when he first started wearing undies so that worked really well. Have you tried 1 day at home naked from the waist down with no undies so he gets the sensation of going? I think underwear can sometimes feel like a diaper at first. I'm not sure...those are the only suggestions I can think of. Good luck!
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  • smiley2smiley2

    imageilovemygirls:
    Are you using some kind of reward system?  Potty chart for stickers, small treat (or sticker or whatever) when he goes?  If there's not some 'incentive', then definitely start that.  It is great that he is interested & wants to do it.  Another thing I've heard of is the 'potty fairy' rings her bell (timer) when it's time to try.  It doesn't sound like he's really resisting you though, instead just trying to figure it all out.  If you think that may help though, to make it more 'magical' or fun then try it out.  Poop can be hard for some kids- especially boys I've heard (generality, but still...).  Best of luck- it can take some time.  Always be positive & encourage- don't let him see your frustration, as hard as that is!

    We're doing a sticker chart which he seems excited about.  When we're home I set the timer (more for myself to remind him)-- he does hear it knows he needs to go try.

    I know I'm not supposed to let him see my frustration, but with that second poop it was pretty obvious.  I asked him if he wanted to just go back in diapers.  He said no, so I guess we'll stick it out.

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  • smiley2smiley2

    imagecokt:
    Have you tried rewards just for trying? Did he get to pick out undies he was excited about? I know DS did not want to get Thomas the Train wet when he first started wearing undies so that worked really well. Have you tried 1 day at home naked from the waist down with no undies so he gets the sensation of going? I think underwear can sometimes feel like a diaper at first. I'm not sure...those are the only suggestions I can think of. Good luck!

    Yeah, we do a sticker chart.  We went to the store a couple of days ago and he picked out undies- he gets to pick out which ones he wears that day.  We didn't do a naked day, maybe we should try it.  He knows when he's doing it- he tells us.  I don't know....  I just took him to the potty a few mins. ago to pee- again he said he couldn't.  I know another accident is coming. :(

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  • femmegemfemmegem member
    We had two weeks of accidents but persevered and he did great. Oh, and we had many poop accidents the second week. I know it's hard, but really try noy to lose heart.
    imageimage
    Alex (11/14/06) and Nate (5/25/10)
    "Want what you have, do what you can, be who you are." - Rev. Forrest Church
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  • JOEBunnyJOEBunny member
    I feel your pain.  My only suggestion is puppy pads in the car seat, which saved me from actually throwing my DD out the window in the forever that she took to get good at using the bathroom. 
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  • marchbabymarchbaby member

    We did naked time with both our boys :)

    For some reason when we tried underwear they continued to use them like a diaper.  So we stripped them down and they only wore a shirt for a few days.  They only had one or two accidents and that was it.  They seemed to be more aware without the clothes on.  

    At least he's interested!  I would just be worried about him getting bored with it, or frustrated.  We also used things as incentive.  For my first son we did a sticker chart and when he filled it up he got to pick what he wanted (he wanted to go to breakfast with grampa, how sweet!).  My second son didn't quite get the concept as he kept taking the stickers OFF his chart, ha.  So with him he did the first few days and had one accident or so each day.  So I told him the first day he went completely accident free he got a special treat.  We went to the store and he picked a candy bar.  

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  • marchbabymarchbaby member

    I forgot, we also had some instant gratification treats :)

    My first son wanted mnm's, so everytime he went pee on the potty he got an mnm.  And when he pooped on the potty he got a lollipop.

    My second son chose smarties for every time he peed, and a lollipop for poop.

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