Potty training questions

kcisthebombdotcom · July 2012

So I officially have a potty trained toddler, yay! I just have one issue. At home, he's great at telling me when he has to go and making it to the bathroom. When we're out, not so much. We went to the park. I put underwear, a pull up on, and his shorts so if he had an accident he would feel uncomfortable yet he wouldn't pee everywhere. I gave him a bunch of water when he got thirsty and took him to the potty about 30 minutes later. He didn't go. I brought him back out to play. He went pee/poop in his underwear shortly after--he didn't tell me that he went and didn't want to be changed. I tried to use the pull up without the underwear to see if the cold sensation would deter him. Again he just peed in it and didn't ask to be changed.

Am I stuck in pull ups forever when we go out places, or is there anything else I can do to encourage him?

shadypines · July 2012

We did pull-ups for awhile, for outside travels. Eventually we slowly did away with the pull-ups. Good Luck!

AshasaurusRex · July 2012

If you know he has to go, but he's refusing because he wants to go back out to play, he doesn't get to play until he's gone potty (or leave the playground and go back home). Also, I wouldn't put a pullup on in public, just bring a change of clothes with you in case he does have an accident. If you're uncomfortable with taking him out for long periods of time without a pullup, then go out for practice runs to places where if he soils himself you can leave (or get to a bathroom) easily.

kcisthebombdotcom · July 2012

AshasaurusRex:
If you know he has to go, but he's refusing because he wants to go back out to play, he doesn't get to play until he's gone potty (or leave the playground and go back home). Also, I wouldn't put a pullup on in public, just bring a change of clothes with you in case he does have an accident. If you're uncomfortable with taking him out for long periods of time without a pullup, then go out for practice runs to places where if he soils himself you can leave (or get to a bathroom) easily.

I was thinking that too, and it makes perfect sense in my logical consequences for toddler mind. But sometimes when you're a bit dehydrated (which can happen if you're being active) you won't need to pee shortly after drinking water like you would if you were well hydrated. If he's saying he doesn't have to go, I can't tell if he really doesn't have to go because he's not ready, or if he is saying that because he just wants to go back to playing, KWIM? I did make him sit for about 5 minutes but then gave up when nothing was happening.

Maybe you're right and I'm just overthinking this. Theoretically I like your idea--I'm just worried that I will make him leave when he really didn't have to go in that moment.

LaCally4 · July 2012

We skipped the pull-ups and just use underwear. When DS wet/soiled himself in just the undies and his shorts it really bothered him. I just bring changes of clothes wherever we go in case we need them.

How long did you have him at the potty before letting him go out to play? The little stinkers can be so stubborn!

kcisthebombdotcom · July 2012

LaCally4:

We skipped the pull-ups and just use underwear. When DS wet/soiled himself in just the undies and his shorts it really bothered him. I just bring changes of clothes wherever we go in case we need them.

How long did you have him at the potty before letting him go out to play? The little stinkers can be so stubborn!

Yeah, I was hoping for that whole reaction where the child does't like being wet or soiled. Not my kid. Boys and their love for being dirty. lol.

I gave him about 5 minutes of sitting before I gave up and let him go back to playing. The whole time he was telling me he didn't have to go, and I encouraged him to try. I knew he likely wasn't going to have to tell me when he really did have to go though.

AshasaurusRex · July 2012

KC_13:
AshasaurusRex:
If you know he has to go, but he's refusing because he wants to go back out to play, he doesn't get to play until he's gone potty (or leave the playground and go back home). Also, I wouldn't put a pullup on in public, just bring a change of clothes with you in case he does have an accident. If you're uncomfortable with taking him out for long periods of time without a pullup, then go out for practice runs to places where if he soils himself you can leave (or get to a bathroom) easily.

I was thinking that too, and it makes perfect sense in my logical consequences for toddler mind. But sometimes when you're a bit dehydrated (which can happen if you're being active) you won't need to pee shortly after drinking water like you would if you were well hydrated. If he's saying he doesn't have to go, I can't tell if he really doesn't have to go because he's not ready, or if he is saying that because he just wants to go back to playing, KWIM? I did make him sit for about 5 minutes but then gave up when nothing was happening.

Maybe you're right and I'm just overthinking this. Theoretically I like your idea--I'm just worried that I will make him leave when he really didn't have to go in that moment.

Yeah, that's understandable. I don't think I would make him leave unless you knew he had to go. I know all kids are different, but when I was potty training DS, after a few days when I knew he had the hang of it, we always went out in public with just his underwear on. I've actually never even bought pullups. He's had a few accidents, but 95% of the time has made it to the potty. Maybe the safety net of the pullup is encouraging him to be "lazy" in public?

AshasaurusRex · July 2012

Sorry, one more idea. If he's had a lot to drink and you think he might have to go, set a timer for every 5 minutes and make him try for a minute or two, if he doesn't go, then set the timer for another five minutes until he does go. A lot of times you can put them on the potty and they won't have to go, but will a few minutes later. Also, it might encourage him to go because he doesn't like having to go sit on the potty every 5 minutes!

kcisthebombdotcom · July 2012

AshasaurusRex:
KC_13:

AshasaurusRex:
If you know he has to go, but he's refusing because he wants to go back out to play, he doesn't get to play until he's gone potty (or leave the playground and go back home). Also, I wouldn't put a pullup on in public, just bring a change of clothes with you in case he does have an accident. If you're uncomfortable with taking him out for long periods of time without a pullup, then go out for practice runs to places where if he soils himself you can leave (or get to a bathroom) easily.

I was thinking that too, and it makes perfect sense in my logical consequences for toddler mind. But sometimes when you're a bit dehydrated (which can happen if you're being active) you won't need to pee shortly after drinking water like you would if you were well hydrated. If he's saying he doesn't have to go, I can't tell if he really doesn't have to go because he's not ready, or if he is saying that because he just wants to go back to playing, KWIM? I did make him sit for about 5 minutes but then gave up when nothing was happening.

Maybe you're right and I'm just overthinking this. Theoretically I like your idea--I'm just worried that I will make him leave when he really didn't have to go in that moment.

Yeah, that's understandable. I don't think I would make him leave unless you knew he had to go. I know all kids are different, but when I was potty training DS, after a few days when I knew he had the hang of it, we always went out in public with just his underwear on. I've actually never even bought pullups. He's had a few accidents, but 95% of the time has made it to the potty. Maybe the safety net of the pullup is encouraging him to be "lazy" in public?

I think I may just try no pullup and see what happens. I thought he might not realize it was there because I had him in his underwear and slipped it on the same time I did his shorts, but he likely does realize it and it makes him lazy. I think making him try for 2-3 minutes every 5 minutes is a good idea too. Thanks!

AshasaurusRex · July 2012

KC_13:
AshasaurusRex:
KC_13:

AshasaurusRex:
If you know he has to go, but he's refusing because he wants to go back out to play, he doesn't get to play until he's gone potty (or leave the playground and go back home). Also, I wouldn't put a pullup on in public, just bring a change of clothes with you in case he does have an accident. If you're uncomfortable with taking him out for long periods of time without a pullup, then go out for practice runs to places where if he soils himself you can leave (or get to a bathroom) easily.

I was thinking that too, and it makes perfect sense in my logical consequences for toddler mind. But sometimes when you're a bit dehydrated (which can happen if you're being active) you won't need to pee shortly after drinking water like you would if you were well hydrated. If he's saying he doesn't have to go, I can't tell if he really doesn't have to go because he's not ready, or if he is saying that because he just wants to go back to playing, KWIM? I did make him sit for about 5 minutes but then gave up when nothing was happening.

Maybe you're right and I'm just overthinking this. Theoretically I like your idea--I'm just worried that I will make him leave when he really didn't have to go in that moment.

Yeah, that's understandable. I don't think I would make him leave unless you knew he had to go. I know all kids are different, but when I was potty training DS, after a few days when I knew he had the hang of it, we always went out in public with just his underwear on. I've actually never even bought pullups. He's had a few accidents, but 95% of the time has made it to the potty. Maybe the safety net of the pullup is encouraging him to be "lazy" in public?

I think I may just try no pullup and see what happens. I thought he might not realize it was there because I had him in his underwear and slipped it on the same time I did his shorts, but he likely does realize it and it makes him lazy. I think making him try for 2-3 minutes every 5 minutes is a good idea too. Thanks!

NP, hope you find something to work!

Want a personalized experience?

Potty training questions

Re: Potty training questions

Choose Another Board

Search Boards