How do I potty train a stubborn three year old ?

Laura - posted on 05/05/2009

Hey, Jen!
I know we've talked about this before.. so I'll skip my advice..
But, instead tell you the craziest thing I heard!

One person (I really forgot who), had her son change his own diaper. He had a messy poop, so she put him in the tub, handed him a diaper, wipes, and a plastic bag.
The kid's reply was, "That's gross, MOM!"
The mom's retort: "Yup. Now do you get the point?"
And, that was the end of the story!

Rachel - posted on 05/04/2009

Sometimes you simply can't force the issue. My first son wouldn't train till he was almost 3. He would hold it till you put a diaper on him. Stubborn to say the least. Bribing didn't work, reward system was useless. Sometimes you just need to be patient and let them do it on their own time. He did train overnight when he decided he was ready and he never had any accidents.

Melissa - posted on 05/04/2009

I have the same issue with my 3 and half year old, she will go when I sit her on the potty but she has not been able to tell me when she needs to go?

Melissa - posted on 05/04/2009

Too Cute! LOL

Jo - posted on 05/04/2009

for my daughter i painted a nail for each pee and 2 nails for a poop. When she decided to do it in her pants i got out the nail polish remover and removed the polish from one nail and told her she will loose the polish just like she earned. That worked. she was stubborn too. Only removed one finger nail polish. My other daughter begged me in the store crying and yelling "I won't potty on me mouse, mommie! (minnie mouse). I had tried all methods with her, candy, nails nothing worked so i had stopped trying for a week, but when she saw the minnie mouse big girl panties she fell in love with them, and i told her no i can't buy those because you will go potty on minnie mouse. That when the tears started and she was pleading with me for a few minutes. You just have to find the secret.

Yvette - posted on 05/04/2009

make it a game and fun for her to go to the potty. Let her know that she is a big sister and only babies use pamper. Also let her know if she is not in school that she will be going to school soon and that school is for big girls that don't use pamper but must use the potty.

Angela - posted on 05/04/2009

My son has autism, so he was more resistant to using the potty. I found out that his teacher was using the "IF/THEN" cards. So I made some up for home. It had a picture of him at the top and then in the middle: IF Potty( (picture of potty) THEN Cookie (picture of oreo cookie). The double stuff oreo cookies were the ones he liked best. Use the item your child likes best.



Then I made copies and put them on the bottom of the TV, refrigerator, and each bathroom door. Of course you have to hide the stash of cookies, so that they will only get the reward when they have gone potty. And you have to make a big deal once they do go potty. The reward may get old after a while, so you may have to change it up.



Good Luck!

Farrah - posted on 05/04/2009

With my first daughter,I thought it would be hard for her to potty train.But when I found out I was expecting again and told my daughter she was going to be a big sister,she got all excited and I told her she was a big girl now and that all grown ups use the toilet.It took awhile for her to get use to the potty and she kept referring herself as a big girl now and I kept telling her NO not really to be a big girl you have to use the toilet now.I kept dropping hints like that to her and eventually she must of decided "okay" enough is enough and she started using the toilet.But with my second girl it was very easy thanks to my oldest daughter,its because of her why my second daughter started potty training.She told her little sister about being a big girl now and that she was not the baby anymore and that i was expecting again and that she was going to be a big sister too.She started going to the bathroom only if her big sister will go with her and she dropped her training pants and now she uses the bathroom.Maybe also try some potty games and telling her she's a big girl or boy!Thought I'd share with you my story about my girls potty training and I don't know if I helped but it's worth the try.I still have to go through with it too but this time it's a little boy.Don't know if it will be harder because it's my first boy.Well....Good luck!

Tammy - posted on 05/04/2009

Have you tried offering a reward, like stickers or Starburst when she goes the the potty like a big girl? I have boys and the reward system worked well for us. Also try taking her to the bathroom when you go, if you can, and then let her imitate what she sees you doing, my husband did this with our boys, also and they really liked trying to be big like their daddy.

Tammy - posted on 05/04/2009

Have you tried offering a reward, like stickers or Starburst when she goes the the potty like a big girl? I have boys and the reward system worked well for us. Also try taking her to the bathroom when you go, if you can, and then let her imitate what she sees you doing, my husband did this with our boys, also and they really liked trying to be big like their daddy.