Potty Training - Grand Rapids, MI

Yeah, I have a 3 year old boy. (He turned 3 in July) I agree with the previous mom, it will happen soon. Seemed like 3 was the big turning point. All of the sudden he was trained. I do think that all the efforts and discussions I had with him, up to him being potty trained, were influential to him. We talked about telling me, being a big boy, how much easier and quicker it would be for him to just go on the potty...etc...But the big one for him is "not being a baby". I try so hard to keep it positive and encourage him to be that big boy, but once in a while I'd point out other little babies and how they wear diapers. "Babies wear diapers.", I'd say. And he would agree. In moments of frustration, I admit, I'd say to him, "if you don't go in there and go potty, I guess I'll just have to put a baby diaper on you, 'cause babies go in their pants." He hates that. And still sometimes, when he hasn't gone in a while because he's too busy playing I have said that to get his attention.
Don't worry, except maybe for your furniture getting ruined, he will get it soon. Gerber makes an underpant that has plastic on the outside of it. So, it's cloth on the inside(thick) and plastic to water-proof the outside. I turn them inside out to wash. They are not always easy to find in stores, but they do exist. I found some at Kmart once and at Meijer once. I stocked up.
My son still has the occassional accident, but mostly it's my fault for not keeping track of how much liquid he has taken in or how long it has been since I reminded him to go. (He does go in all by himself sometimes, though) He wears regular underwear during the daytime and a pullup to bed at night. If I am taking him out on a longer trip and I'm not sure were he will be able to go potty, I will still use the thick cloth/plastic underwear during the day, but not pullups. I tried to use a pullup in those occassions, but he will just go in them and not even tell me cause they keep him so dry, I guess.
Good luck, and don't rush it. He is close. Ultimately, he will decide when he's ready.
S.

Hi A.,
I think you are doing a great job. Consistency is the key! I think the real underwear is a great tool. We only use pull-ups at night. If he can pee on demand that is awesome! My son wanted nothing to do with any of it! I tried cheerios and bubbles in the toilet. I tried giving rewards. Nothing worked. I swore I was not going to let him pee on a tree. But when he turned 3 and I was tired of nothing else working...I broke down and let him "water" the tree so it could grow big and strong. IT WORKED! No more wet pants! I was surprised that it was not a hard transition (for him) to stop watering the tree and start using the potty. It only took 3 months from the time he first watered the tree to just using the toilet.

Keep up the good work!
K.

When you switch to undies, give it a couple of days before thinking he is "not getting it". I went from diapers to undies and it took 2 days for them (I have 2 boys) get it. Dont be discouraged, and dont revert back to pullups unless he is still not figuring it out in about 3 or 4 days. Then, he may not be ready.

Hi A.~
It sounds like he is transitioning, but just isn't quite there yet. He is still in the stage where he goes a little bit all day long. His body still needs to learn to keep the pee in and let it all out at once. He will get it, though, he just needs a little more time. He may even be just a few weeks away. I thought our guy was so far behind b/c he seemed so far off at 2 1/2, but we just let him do it at his own pace and took his cues. By the time he was 3 he was bladder, bowel and night-time trained! Looking at the big picture, I think your guy is at the beginning of the 'ready' stage and will make progress fairly quickly if you just try to be patient and persistent. Good luck, and I'll tell you what I kept telling myself...'at least he'll get it by kindergarten!' :)
~L.

not too soon at all...if he knows hes wet he knows he has to go..... as i have told many others here..... for boys...... put a dish of fruit loops on the back of the toilet.... let him put 2 in the water and "AIM" boys lovvvvveeeeee it... he will want to pee more than he has to but heyyy beats the alternative lol
good luck
Tam