Potty Training -

I haven't hit this stage of training yet with my girls, but a little boy in their daycare class has a potty watch that goes off every 30 minutes or so to remind him he has to go. If he really likes the control aspect without someone like mom telling him what to do, maybe it will work for him since he can set the clock.

Here is the website for one brand. - http://www.pottytimeinc.com/

I think you can buy them anywhere like Target or ToysRus too.

Good luck!

I have the same problem and it's driving us nuts!! My son is 3.5 and has the control to not have accidents but he refuses to poop in the potty. I think we've tried everything but any help would be greatly appreciated!!

Here's an idea from my pediatrician that I hadn't thought of. My son was three in July and at his well-check appointment the dr. and I talked about potty training. I had actually just started (variety of reasons...) and it was slow going. Anyway, he said after a child is age three, it is completely in their control biologically. He suggested a reminder every hour or so....look at face and say..."it's time to try the potty" (don't phrase it as a question)...if he doesn't have to go, then say "ok, but if you have an accident, I'm going to take away that tractor (whatever he's playing) for a little while." Then if he continues to play and has an accident, put the toy out of his reach but where he can see it (we use a bookshelf). Tell him he can get it back next time he goes in the potty. So, this really stepped it up for my son. He went from accidents about half the time to only one or none a day. The key of course, is taking away something that he really likes and wants back. You may even consider taking that "big reward" that he earned initially. Also, it doesn't put a reward for being accident free, but does allow for a consequence for having an accident.

I like the idea of the potty watch that another person posted. You could maybe give him that...and explain that it is reminding you that it might be time...but give him the control to choose if it's time or not. Then take away things if accidents happen.

Another thought...is your other boy ready to start? It might help the older one to be the "expert" in teaching his younger brother. We rewarded both kids with a jelly bean every time the little one went successfully, because the older one helped with the reminders, running to the bathroom, reading books on the potty, etc.

I recently created a sticker chart for my daughter. Each time she goes potty she gets a sticker on the chart. Every 10 stars, she gets a prize. It's working wonders.

M.,
Potty Training can be so hard! My daughter had a hard time stopping playing to go. What if that was the reward? If you don't want the reward to be "no accidents", what if it was "I stopped playing to take time to go potty on my own" ? Just a thought. Good luck!

Kids can hold their bladders for a long time, then, oops! I have 3 kids, the oldest of them is 6, and they all have occasional accidents b/c they are too busy to stop. What I have found to be the best for coordinating all 3 is to schedule time to stop for the bathroom throughout the day. For example, they know that when we get to _________ (the library, Stop & Shop, their friends' house) we go to the bathroom before we do anything else. All of us. Together. And all I ask is that everyone try. If they don't go, so be it. But, I find that most people can usually go a little when they "get into position". This also saves me from running back & forth with 3 kids and allows me to go myself w/o trying to coerce them all to come with me ;) Good luck :)