The reluctant potty trainee

[snowboarder]

Is it just too soon? My 2yr9m old had an amazing start to potty training over christmas and has only had two 'accidents' - 1 of each, but now he just refuses to wear his big boy pants. When he has pants on he's great, no fuss, hour or two between wees, asks to go rather than when prompted. But he won't poo on the potty - I know this is common, holds it in and runs around when desperate, eventually have to put a nappy on then relief. One poo in pants caused absolute hysteria ('I so SORRY mummy', sobbing). Is the poo issue affecting the training? Basically we've gone back to nappies as he just totally refuses to put pants on and I really don't think forcing him is the way forward. I'm kind of relaxed about it but it's annoying as he was so good at it mainly! And in the back of my head - is he just being a bit lazy? He wees on the potty at bathtime etc - so not as if afraid of it etc.

Have been reminding him how many of his friends wear pants and how nappies are really just for sleeping and babies, but don't want to go too far with this so he feels crap!

Sorry for adding to the endless potty debate. I'm seeing it as our first big 'test' post weaning!

[crystal7]

It took E about a month to master pooing on potty. She used to hold it in and get very upset. We thought it was progress when she stopped being upset after a poo accident. Eventually she just did it. We kept offering to put a nappy on for poos but she refused but I know others have had success with that e.g. having pull ups in the bathroom readyfor no.2s. Not sue about pant refusal, bribing with new pants? Reward chart??

[The Nappy Lady]

Leave it a couple of weeks & start over I'd say. He's clearly keen to do it but upset by his own failure I'd say.

Hopefully next time it will go better, but maybe explain if you haven't already that accidents are all part of learning & everyone has them.

Xx

[Helen GV]

I have the opposite problem, poo in the toilet? No problem. Wee? Wherever he happens to be. Driving me insane! Sigh.

Nothing constructive sorry but I feel your pain.

Now where did I put my sense of humour...?

[cuppa tea]

I'd say 2yrs 9 mnths is pretty early for a boy to potty train. I agree with Molly and would put nappies back on and leave it for a while. It doesn't sound like he's being lazy, but upset that he's not managing to succeed and make you happy. His confidence could be dashed by starting too soon and it is likely to drag on for longer. I would take the pressure off for a bit and start again later on. My son was 3.5 years and it still took months to potty train, rather than weeks (as everyone else claims to manage!). That said, most poos hit the porcelain...or rather plastic thankfully!

[charlottep]

My son was EXACTLY the same until we started reading him "Mr Poo Goes to Pooland" and something just clicked with him. It's like an NHS leaflet rather than a book, I think I posted a link about it on here some time ago.