My son has just turned 2. He showed some signs of interest in the potty about 6months ago and even went #1 a few times. He then decided he wan't that interested. He asked for underwear like daddy's, so I explained to him that in order to wear underwear we had to use the potty for #1 and #2. He agreed, so we went and bought some undies. He now wants to wear the undies, but refuses to sit on the potty chair! I have tried sticker charts, incentives, an egg timer to go off when it was time to go. Do you think I missed my window by not being consistent enough when he was 18mos.? I didn't want to push because he was so young. I know he is capable since he has done it before, tells me when he is going, knows the name of his parts, etc. Any thoughts or suggestions?
IF my SISTER asked this
IF my SISTER asked this question, I'd answer..."Yes, you screwed up royally - you missed your chance and he will never potty train now - he will get married in diapers....LOL"
But for you, I say, "relax - you didn't miss anything...kids' interests in the potty wax and wan. Keep offering, modeling, encouraging, but don't push. When kid's get the sense that mommy really wants this, some of them feel pressure to perform and then resist. Potty traingig is as much a cognitive skill as a physical one. So, even though you know that he's capable, he may not yet be ready emotionally, or cognitively. (it's HARD to stop what you're doing and take care of business and sometimes, it's scary). Praise every try, offer the chance to go with mommy, and let him lead the rest of the way.
"Only a life lived for others, is the life worthwhile" - Albert Einstein
I agree with you, Optimist.
I agree with you, Optimist. There's a big difference in showing interest and being physically ready for potty training. It's great, though, that he's showing such interest at only age 2! Good luck!
AZCentral.com Special Lara Piu is a single mom who enjoys sharing and
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I am wondering the same
I am wondering the same thing about my 2 1/2 year old--he showed interest at 18 mos. but at that time we were in the process of moving so I didn't push it. Very helpful advice here--thank you.
My son went through a period
My son went through a period of "potty fatigue". He was just sick of being asked if he had to go potty, told he needed to go use the potty, and sick of anything else potty related. And this made sense to me - the thrill of the potty had worn off, and now it was just another chore.
So I said fine, you need a weekend off of potty training. And I put him in pull ups, and never once asked him if he wanted to use the potty for 2 whole days.
then on Monday, getting ready for daycare, I asked him if he wanted to wear underwear or pull ups, and he said underwear. So I put him in underwear, and he was still occasionally sick of hearing about the potty, but it was as if the vacation from the potty took away his stress about it. He was totally trained within the month (well, we're still wearing pull ups overnight, but that's a different issue).
It's a lot of work to use the potty, and it does get mundane for little kids. So keep it low stress, and the issues will pass.
One of my sons did this same
One of my sons did this same thing - interested in the potty for a short time (at about 2) and then totally lost interest. Like you, I thought we had missed our window of opportunity until my pediatrician told me that that was completely normal - and that he needed to make up his own mind about potty training. He did potty train at three. I definitely wouldn't stress about it - he'll use the potty when he's ready.
Lattemom is the mother of three energetic kids ages 6, 8 & 11 and a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com.
I wouldn't worry. I hear
I wouldn't worry. I hear most boys aren't really ready until 2 and half or 3.
Give it time.
My pediatrician told us to wait awhile.
Now,I just started training my son (He's 2 yrs 8 mnths). He's doing great! I can't believe how easy it's been. He had showed a little interest before, but wouldn't commit. Now, he is really ready. He loves his new underwear and potty.
We really have to watch him though. It's so hard for kids to stop playing and go. I just look for the signs and then run with him. He has the occasional accident (esp. with #2 ). But, I don't make it a big deal.
Good Luck!
Destry Jetton
Host, Arizona Midday
Weekdays 1:00pm on Channel 12
Glad to hear I wasn't alone.
Glad to hear I wasn't alone. I have been struggling my 3 year old son to get on the potty. One thing is sure-you cannot enforce kids to go potty when they are not ready (physically, emotionally, and everything). We were all under stress when we tried to enforce him to go especially the kid. So we gave up and just wait until he'll get an idea what is to be like wearing real underpants. Now, he is 100% potty trained (WHEW).
My advice is let him wear undies and let him feel the wetness and ickiness, everything. Though, you have to remind him that he'll get wet if he won't go to the potty and he'll lose his underpants. No nagging or scolding--just a reminder! He'll get it, trust me. When he goes to potty even nothing comes out, praise him! and let him try again later. When he goes successfully, rewards come in! Though, what worked for us was PRAISES and lifted my son up in the air as celebration! We thank him and praise him for such a big boy! PRAISES WORKS! Nagging (scolding) didn't and never will.
Decide the weekdays/weekend to do it and be consistent. I mean don't switch between diapers and undies. If you get accidents, that's good for your son to learn and he get to smell what it is like (YEAH). Try to hold off your disappointment and be patient.
Have FUN and be there for him!
He'll get there.
Have a beautiful day!
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