Toddler refusing to potty/toilet train
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Do it at your own speed. My son is 3.5 & we started potty training last Thursday. It’s now a week later and he’s taking himself to the potty without prompting. We’ve still got a way to go but I’m glad we waited until he was ready and not when other people dictated he should be ready. The first few days are really tough because they will protest like hell but consistency is key. We spent a week at home and he was naked from the waist down, I looked for his toilet cues and when I thought he needed to go I prompted him to go the potty. We had lots of accidents but he got the hang of it eventually. I highly recommend reading the oh crap potty training book xx
Thank you for the advice. I really appreciate it. Iv tried just letting him be naked or have nothing on from the waist down but he gets so distressed over it, i feel awful so i put a nappy back on. Iv tried letting him pick his own underwear and anything else but it’s been a nightmare and he is just refusing. Do you think i should just take the nappy off and ignore the tantrums? Is that what you did with yours at first? Sorry for all the questions xx
My son was 3 in May and we only did it just over 2 weeks ago. He was the same and point blank refused until I took him with me to the shops so he could pick his own pants, after that he said he wanted to wear them so I said he could but that meant he had to do his wee’s and poo’s on the toilet, he said ok and that was that! So could be worth a try getting him to pick some pants
My little boy was a much "bigger" 3 by the time we successfully potty trained. We had lots of tries at it beforehand but he truly wasn't interested! It genuinely took the promise of borrowing a book to read from nursery as the right bribe. I cannot tell you how many times I read "The smartest giant in town" but it worked. Take the pressure off yourself and leave it for a bit. School is a year away so you have plenty of time.
Definitely hang in there. My daughter who is now 3yrs and 9 months. Started potty training this time last year. Has only recently a couple of months ago started pooing on the potty and now the toilet. Wees on the toilet absolutely fine. She was only pooing in a pull up. Refused to try, in the end went cold turkey and got her a present to work for. Eventually worked out of pull ups completely. Plus at night. It will click in place and don't worry. Just be positive and encourage😊
Don't feel bad, there are many at that age still not trained. We've just trained our son at 2.5 but like yours, at first he refused. Have you tried just having the nappy off for a few days and just letting him be free- I know you say he kicks off. Could you take it off after changing him in the morning and then distract straight away. My son quickly realised that he would get wet, then slowly realised that doing it in the potty is better than getting wet! Now nappies are no longer the norm for him. He's gotten used to them being a night time only thing. It's also supposed to help by letting them choose pants but mine refused to choose any when we tried! But he now happily wears them. It's just getting them used to the new normal. It is a tough first few days but once the nappies are off, it is trying to persevere and not give in putting them back on! Equally if you feel like you don't want to do it yet, there's no rush. I found it was just better to start when it's hot as he's happier naked! Good luck!