Comments on: What to Do When Potty Training Isn’t Working

By: Jessica

Jessica — Sat, 27 Feb 2016 15:42:08 +0000

I started my first born around 18-20mo having read all the blogs about potty training in three days…. Well I was cleaning up pee and poop for over a year lol! We moved into a new house when she was a bit over 2 1/2 and all of a sudden she was going on the “big potty” on her own and dry at night! She just decided to do it! Now my 2nd daughter was begging to be potty trained by 18mo but I wasn’t ready to start her (lazy mamma) I think watching an older sibling really puts a drive in them. She does well during the day but it will be a long time before we don’t diaper her at naps and at night. Has anyone ever potty trained a child in 3 days????

By: MaryEllen Bream

MaryEllen Bream — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 12:55:41 +0000

In reply to Kris.

Boys seem to be especially hard – they don’t want to do anything unless it’s their idea! The key is to figure out what will make him want it badly enough. For mine it was finding out that he couldn’t go swimming unless he was potty trained. He came home and was fully potty trained from that moment on!

By: Kris

Kris — Tue, 29 Dec 2015 01:26:39 +0000

It’s so discouraging when see all those posts and blogs for ‘Here’s how to train you toddler in 3 days’ blah blah blah. Our guy will sit on the potty for an hour but will still go at random, or throw out his hand and tell you to stay away when he’s obviously pooping. It’s so nice for someone to put out there, and remind the rest of us, that all of our kids are different and learn differently.
I’ve been getting myself so worked up thinking we’re doing it wrong and school is next Septembe. You get doctors and therapists know it alls who tell you to do something but, try forcing a 3 year old to sit on something they do Not want to be on.
Thank You!

By: Amber

Amber — Sun, 11 Oct 2015 16:30:10 +0000

Thank you!!! We have hit a horrible regression and I have had all of those thoughts the last few weeks. He’s 3 and can’t move into the 3 yo room at school until he’s potty trained so I’m feeling some pressure there too.

By: MaryEllen Bream

MaryEllen Bream — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 16:20:45 +0000

In reply to Nick. I would start with a visit to your pediatrician so you can determine if there us a physical problem. I would rule that out before you try anything else. You don't want to needlessly make your child feel guilty or upset, otherwise you could make the situation worse. I'm so sorry you're dealing with this! I know it's hard when you want to do the right thing, but you just don't know what that is!

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 15:41:55 +0000

In reply to MaryEllen Bream. Well, we are thinking pediatrician, his teacher and even to go to a psychologist. The thing is, is he just refusing to do it, or is he having difficulties?

By: MaryEllen Bream

MaryEllen Bream — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:23:45 +0000

In reply to Nick. Have you talked to your pediatrician about this?

By: Nick

Nick — Mon, 06 Apr 2015 14:10:50 +0000

Hi. We are desperate as he is 5 years 7 months, and last night he just made a prohibitory “Traffic Sign” drawing, indicating that he will not poo. And, our actual problem, besides potty, he is holding it a copule of days, and he finally do it on his underwear. And, when he seats on the toilet, he just says he can’t do it.

By: S m

S m — Thu, 02 Apr 2015 12:55:57 +0000

I was scolded, shouted at, beaten, belittled and humiliated in front of friends an family! Nothing helped at 62 I still suffer from a weak bladder. Compounded by a low self esteem etc…. It woul have been better if I was given the tools to manage my disability such as using pads etc… I could look back on a happier childhood and maybe had a closer trusting relationship with my mother!

By: Emily

Emily — Fri, 27 Mar 2015 20:20:11 +0000

I totally agree with just being patient with it, however my 2 1/2 year old boy HATES to have his diaper changed! I have to make him lay down on the changing table and sometimes literally physically restrain the child (after – usually unsuccessfully – trying to sing songs, play with toys, do counting/color games, tickles, etc.) I have tried everything I can think of in order to get him relaxed and helpful during his diaper changes, but it quite literally ends in an all out battle – he kicks, SCREAMS, hits, yells, slaps, pins his legs together, puts his hands in his dirtiness, rolls over…. it is a nightmare most of the time, but yet he WILL NOT go on the potty. I have made the mistake of threatening to ‘make’ him go (I know, a no-no), but I don’t know how much longer I can put up with these diaper changing battles. Today, he kicked me in the face (again) and about sent my teeth through my lip. Any suggestions, please?! – even if it’s just to make diaper changes more pleasant!