Tuesday, September 25, 2007

Any bright ideas?

Can anyone tell me why my easiest, most mellow, angel child is the one who turns into a monster when I kindly ask if he wants to try to go potty like a "big boy"? This is my compliant James who always says, "I'm happy, are you happy, Mom?". He is easily talked in to obeying other rules, but for some reason the toilet training holds no interest for him. He can recite the entire Pledge of Allegiance from memory, but has gone potty a total of once in the toilet. We tried making a little sticker chart and bribing with ice cream, etc. but to no avail. This kid just turned three, so we really need to stop changing his diaper! You see, I've been changing diapers everyday (with an occasional break when we have been on a date or out of town) for the past 8 years with no lapse between children. Yes, I am having a pity party. So, the question is, do any of you have any bright ideas about getting a child to go in the toilet? Please share your wisdom with me! I am also accepting suggestions for keeping the house and van immaculate, cooking perfect meals, and getting children to listen on the first try. Enlighten me!

7 comments:

Bitter Larry said...

Well, I'm not the one to give you advice on this, but it's too bad he's not as quick with this as with swimming.

Heather said...

Have you looked into seeing if he has constipation problems? Sorry if this is graphic...but if it hurts him or if he has had experiences with it hurting to go potty that might be one of the reasons he freaks out at the thought of it. If so, they have an over the counter medicine called Miralax. It has no taste and you can mix it in water juice or whatever. It is non addictive and helps kids with constipation. My other thought is maybe he is afraid to sit up on the *big toilet* what about getting one of those ones that sits on the ground and seeing if he feels more comfortable? As far as keeping the house and van immaculate, cooking perfect meals, and getting children to listen on the first try....can't help you with those. Sorry! I'll let you know if I figure those one out, but it has been 10 years and I still haven't!:)

kris said...

Potty training is such a tricky thing. What may work for one of your kids, may not work for the other. Bribery is a great motivator, sounds like you've been trying that. Have you tried toys yet? I agree with Heather...a little tiny toilet works great and tons of praise when they actually do it. You're a good mom, hang in there! Braden was almost 3 1/2 before he finally got it.

s.s. bazodi said...

I learned this one in Child development. Buy him a potty chair and give it to him as a toy (don't explain what it is at first just tell him it's for him), let him play with it for a few weeks. Then play "potty" with him and teach him to go in it. My teacher is amazing, and i bet it works.

ME said...

Sorry, but I laughed while reading your end comment. If anyone has the answers to those they need to share with me, too! I did this & it helped a little: went to the dollar store & bought some toys, etc. Wrapped them up & placed them in plain sight in a basket in the bathroom & then if my oldest went she could pick out a present from the basket!

Dick Smith said...

I have the solution to all of your problems, it might sound a little extreme to the faint of heart, but it would work. Buy taser and give them a zap when they get out of line. No poop, *zap*! and then he will go next time. That or tape him to the toilet until he goes.

Shums said...

Looks like you're going to have to resort to sloshing around james' waste. Just train him to empty his "little potty" after he uses it. I seriously remember using a little yellow one as a child, and I also remember washing it out. I am not kidding.