Potty training for the stubborn

Find a week or so that you don't have a lot planned and that you'll be home and get rid of the diapers and do the underwear thing the whole week. When he goes in his pants make him go to the bathroom and change himself and wash himself up. Yes, you can be there to monitor what he's doing, but after handing him the wet wash cloth to clean himself up he's on his own. Believe me he'll get sick of washing himself up after a while. Do the same thing if he poops too, make him take his underwear off put the stuff in the toilet wash himself up, etc. and soon enough I bet he'll stop the stubborness. It sounds a little radical and harsh, but really when kids have to start doing it themselves it starts to be a different story. My daughter refused to do #2 on the toilet when she was training and after a few times in her pants and her cleaning herself up she wasn't so unwilling anymore.

Good Luck!!

I understand how you feel! My daughter just got trained less than 2 weeks ago. She is 3 and 3 months. I finally just stayed home a couple of days and told her the first morning that she wasn't wearing Pull-ups that day. I was so surprised she cried! She said she was a baby and didn't want to be a big girl. I think there was some fear of using the potty, but usually she's a "no fear" kind of kid. After I reassured her, she did a great job all day! We also did a silly song and dance everytime she used the potty and she got a small piece of candy too. I also stressed how good it feels to be clean and dry and not have to sit in dirty pants anymore. Good luck to you!

Hobbymommy, 38, is a discussion leader from Mesa. She is a happy stay-at-home mommy to a 3-year-old daughter and a 2-year-old son.

I hear you. My son is 3 years and 1 month old. We've been trying for about a month now to get him potty trained and he just refuses too. He doesnt like the feeling of being wet, but insists he still is a baby (I just had his sibling 8 weeks ago). So maybe timing is an issue in my case. Regardless, if you find any good pointers please do share with us as I'm anxiously awaiting the day my son will insist on going to the potty. If I find something that works, I'll be sure to share!

LisaMommy is a 38 year old discussion leader for arizonamoms.com from the Paradise Valley/Scottsdale area. Her two boys are ages 9 months and 3 years old.

Making the child do clean-up - as suggested above - can be very effective. My son always ran to pee in the potty, but didn't mind pooping in his pants/pull-up..especially if he was busy playing trains! At this point, we immediately ended all pull-ups during the day and put him into underwear. He kept the underwear clean and dry until he pooped - and then he did it in his underwear. But each and every time, he had to be the one to rinse it in the toilet. It was NOT done as a punishment for "messing up" - we'd be in there together, laughing and observing together how gross and stinky it was. He'd ask me to do it; I'd say "ooh gross, no way, it's your poop!" And he'd rinse it. (I'd do the final rinse/squeeze out in the sink - after about 5 flushes!) Then after he was wiped and cleaned up by me, we'd snuggle and talk about how much better it felt to be in clean, dry underwear. After about 10-14 days, accidents went from once/day to once/wk at most....and quickly to no accidents at all.

Happy2BMommy, is a stay-at-home mom who just turned 40 (argh!) with a 7 yr. old daughter and a 5 yr. old son, and is a discussion leader for arizonamoms.com living in Scottsdale.

I’m so happy I found Arizonamoms and this chat you guys are so helpful am in the same situation with a 3 and 4 month old boy that gives up on trying to go to the toilet. All off the advice that al of you have posted is great I will fallow that adv and will see how it works thank you all

"He who does not expect gratitude will never be disappointed"

My son is 2 1/2 and does pretty good about going in the potty at daycare, but refuses to even tell us when he has to go when he is at home. I have tried to take him to the potty every hour and just have him sit (doctor suggestion) and he loves to sit and read his book or just talk to me, but he won't go. Less than 5 minutes after getting off the potty he goes in his pull ups!! ARRR I have no idea what to do.

Jerri

11 more days to my son's 3rd B-Day and we still have no progress. Its been a little harder for me to do potty training with him because I work full time M-F, but I still try when we get up and before bed. His daycare has been trying to potty train him too, but everyone keeps telling me he will be ready when he is ready. To tell you the truth, I am ready to stop buying diapers. I need that extra money $$$ for gas!

I read all of these comments and we are way behind everyone. My 1st daughter is 4 1/2! yes 4 1/2. She will NOT poop on the potty for me, my mother, my mother in law, NOONE! I absolutely dont know what to do. I have tried the bribes, stickers, rewards and still nothing. She will scream bloody murder if I sit her on the seat. Then I tell her if she goes in the pull up she has to change herself. She will whine & cry at me until I change her. She has been pottying on the toilet for over a year & 1/2, that was the easiest, now I cant get her to go poopy. I have another daughter thats 3, she will do both, no problem. She has an accident once in a while, but at least she does it. I need some serious help with this, i want to start her i school in August and cant til she goes on the toilet. PLEASE if anyone can help me please post. Any suggestions and techniques are welcome. Thanks so much....