My son will be three in May and he is still not potty trained.

Heather - posted on 04/08/2009

Google the Dr. Phil method and try it. It worked for my son who is 2 1/2 and potty trained. I had a way easier experience with this method than with my older son.

The gist is to use a baby doll who potties in its chair and when the baby potties throw it a party...worked like a champ!

Denise - posted on 04/08/2009

Hi I bought a book by baby whisperer(think it's called potty train in a week) lent it to neighbour and as yet have;nt got it back, basically it goes through a check list to see if/when your son is ready I found it really useful took longer than a week but little boy was potty trained by aged 2, dont fret it will happen dont put too much pressure on him every child is different he needs to feel comfortable, yeah easy for me to say I know just bide your time n dont feel pressured!!

Cathy - posted on 04/08/2009

I have potty trained two boys and am of the opinion that they will not do this until they are darn good and ready.  Don't worry about it.  I know the soiled pants are no fun to deal with but take a few weeks or a month and try it again.  I tried everything also, bribes, rewards, pleading, etc....and he too would go hide.  I had to ask myself if this was just too much pressure on him?  But the first thing he said to his dad when he went #2 in the potty was "Mommy will be so proud of me!"  Someone once told me, "Don't worry, you don't see any kindergartners in diapers!"

Beth - posted on 04/08/2009

My daughter was 3 1/2 before she was completely potty trained, one day she got it.  I tried all the tricks & it seemed the more of a big deal we made of it, the more she resisted.  I think that a big part of it that it is one thing that THEY have control over.  We are in control of most everything else in their lives & this is the one thing they can control.  I think it is hard for them to let go of that control & once again do what we ask/tell them to do.  I think the best thing you can do is nothing.  Keep the potty around, but don't mention it & just "drop" it for now.  He'll get it, but only when he is ready!!   Good luck.

Teresa - posted on 04/08/2009

I'm potty training my second son at 2.5, and so far have been quite successful with him. Maybe I should write a book on how easy it is. EXCEPT that my first one didn't get it until age 4.5 (very strong willed). I am now a firm believer in "It doesn't matter what you do, it's all about temperament."

A few tricks I use – I’ve started buying cheep ultra thin menstrual pads - the kind with wings – and pressing them into the back of the undies. That way when he wets he feels it, but it’s easier to clean up the poop accidents. “Professional Potty Trainers” say it’s better to be in cloth pants, but I think these strong willed types know that if they poop in cloth pants it’s much harder to clean up (on the mommy end). So pooping in the pants = more time with mommy.

I also had to just stop telling my oldest to go use the potty, and I stopped having conversations when I was cleaning up (I’m busy right now, when your cleaned up we can talk). I also enrolled him in a pre-school a few days a week (peer pressure is amazing). So I don’t know what the magic combination is, but I know there are worse problems to have, and it will get better!

Laurie - posted on 04/08/2009

I had the same super struggle with my daughter. She would sit on the potty and cry when it was to the point that it hurt to hold it in, then would hop off and go on the floor. She went in for her 3 year check up and when we got home I told her that the DOCTOR said you HAVE to go! She went the next day and never looked back. I think they need to go for themselves and not for you. I wish you good luck though, I know it's frustrating but hang in there. I promise he will not go to kindergarten wearing diapers!!

Lindy - posted on 04/08/2009

really ~ no sweat. cooper was 3 when he decided to try it and was trained with in one day! let her/him figure it out on his own with gentle coaching, dont push~ !!! it will take twice as long!

Cheryl - posted on 04/08/2009

Hiya, i just wanted to say im having the same problem, my son is 3 in july and his not once been to toilet in the potty.... they all take time but will eventually get there in there own time... i think my kye will start to go once his at school n c all the other children his age going to the toilets... dont worry ya b fine and he will get there soon im sure xxx.

Nicole - posted on 04/08/2009

I'm with you! Stickers worked for peeing, but I still can't get him to poo in the pot. ;) He is more than willing to sit around in a dirty diaper or dirty pants all day... which, from what I've read, means he's just not ready yet. I guess it doesn't matter all that much that MOMMY is ready!

Geraldine - posted on 04/08/2009

dont worry i found that boys are harder to train , ignore it when he dosnt use the potty but when he does make a fuss of him tell him how cleaver he is and what a big boy he is now

Katie - posted on 04/08/2009

I haven't had to do it yet, but I first want to wish you good luck. I really like the Elizabeth Pantley books and she has The No-Cry Potty Training Solution with some good ideas.



It sounds like there is a lot of pressure on him, so maybe try forgetting about it for a month or two then try it again. I think, like over 95% of kids are potty trained before kindergarten and it's pretty normal for kids over three to still not be potty trained. It doesn't show intelligence or competence and there is nothing wrong with you as a parent if you child isn't potty trained by a certain age. He'll get it, he just may need more time.

Brenda - posted on 04/08/2009

I bought him a little potty chair and he got to bring it in every room, and also put a sticker anywhere on the potty chair he wanted.

Brenda - posted on 04/08/2009

no worries, if u force they will resist, my son was 3 1/2 b4 he got it and when he got it , no worries