Toddlers: 24 Months+

refuses to sit on potty-not ready?

DS just turned 3 and is still in diapers.  We were having him sit on the potty and he would often pee.  We would give him an m&m for sitting and 2 if he peed.  I was ready for the next step where we were going to get rid of diapers all together.  Now when I ask him to sit on the potty, he completely refuses and runs away and screams.  Does this mean he isn't ready?  We have tried changing the rewards to reese's pieces then to fruit snacks, etc.  It helped for a few days but then he went back to refusing.  Do I push it more?  I was told not to push it or it would become a bigger issue.  What should I do?  

Re: refuses to sit on potty-not ready?

  • Do NOT push it. Trust me on this. It will only delay it. Kids are stubborn and at 3 years old, you have to let him do it when he's ready.

    There is a very small window of opportunity to potty train kids and once that window closes, you HAVE to let them do it when they are ready. Encourage, but don't be pushy. Discuss it, but don't go overboard.

    I tried for a year and a half to potty train my son and now at 3.5 years old, he literally woke up one day and decided he was done with diapers. I could not believe it. He's been in underwear ever since. I was like you and frustrated as hell but it will happen.

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  • I have trained my own 3 but also been around many training kids and I have found they are ready at different times. One might be fully ready and trained at 19 months while another might be 3.5. I don't believe there is only one window that would work for all kids for many reasons. I wouldn't push it or it might turn into a power struggle and he will win.
  • Thank you for the responses.  It is a little frustrating that my son's friends are trained and he still isn't.  Makes me feel better that you, blush64, don't think there is a window. Then there is still hope! =) 
  • blush64blush64 member
    edited October 2015
    I have known too many kids trained at different times, some were really easily trained early and some were easily trained later. (and some were not as easy) Kids develop differently. (physically and emotionally-one kid might be ready at 18 months but if another isn't physically ready there is no point in pushing it) As well, the doctor has said if there is a window it will be different for different kids. I guess it is a matter of opinion. I found following the child's lead always worked. Try not to let it stress you.

    EDIT I agree to not exactly agree about some things. I trust the information I was given and what I have read. I think if there was a window it would either have to be big enough to account for kids physically and mentally being ready at completely different ages or the window is completely different for each child. 
  • Biologically there is a "window" but yes, all kids develop at different times and are ready to potty train at different times. All you can do is follow their cues.
  • I know this post is from a little bit ago, but I thought I would chime in.

    When DS was 2 he showed a lot of interest in the potty, but never wanted to use it. We ended up holding off until he turned 3. He still wasn't ready. We spent two days of him in just underwear, and the potty being in whatever room he was in. He would just hide somewhere and leak through his underwear. I put him back in diapers.

    A month later, I pulled out his underwear to give it a go again, and when he saw the underwear, he was excited and wanted them on. He would not use his potty, and only would go on a regular toilet (we have the seats with the toddler drop-down seat).

    There were a couple of accidents the first month, but it was only an accident every other week. Which happened to be when we were at a park and he was too busy playing to let us know.

    I recommend giving the underwear a go each month or every other week, and it may just click.
    Married 05.19.07 | Together since 03.11.00 | Dom Born 02.06.12 
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