potty training my first!

[coireb]

I am in serious need of some advice! I have a 23 month old son, and even after reading tips on websites i'm still struggling to begin potty training!

He currently tells me when he has done a wee or poo, and he absolutely HATES being dirty, which is why I am introducing the potty early. He points to the potty and toilet and says "wee" or "poo" so I know he knows what it is for!
However he just will not sit on a potty or even the trainer seat we got for the big toilet. I'm not sure if it is because the potty he has is a fairly cheap one and is uncomfortable! I dont want to force him to sit on it! I have been leaving him to run around without a nappy on so he can see what he is producing, but he just looks at it and shrugs!
Am I just being impatient?! Also, does anybody know of a decent potty that may be more comfortable for him that will not cost me a fortune?!

[RuthChan]

The chances are, it's not a comfort issue.
I don't think you need to waste money on a new potty, you just need to find ways to persuade him to sit on the one you already have.

Can you make sitting down into some sort of a game?
Read books or do other activities while he sits, put his toys sitting on the potty to encourage him, let him see you on the loo yourself etc.

He might not be ready yet, but he will be soon enough and you can encourage him. Just don't force him.
Good luck.

[AllSheepareWhite]

Just starting myself with DD (19 months), biggest factor in getting her to use the potty here has been her watching us and her older cousins use the toilet (we put the potty in the bathroom so that she can sit on it as we do). Everytime she uses the potty we give her lots of praise (and it plays a tune too). I also talk to her about how big girls like her go wee wee and poo poo on the potty. DD couldn't get on the potty easily by herself at first so wasn't that into it, but now she is getting there. Also put on favourite DVD when I sat her on there at first so she would stay and get used to it.

[Sopster]

I also sat my little one on the potty in front of the TV for the first week during the day and read stories to him in the evenings. He also had a stash of his own books to read by himself on the potty (just like his Dad!!) We also used a reward chart with hime (My Big Star Chart from Encourageandpraise.co.uk) which worked really well. He was dry in a week. Worth a shot. Good luck x

[coireb]

Thank you for all your advice! Especially sitting him in front of the tv for a while, particularly if I put Thomas the tank on! I'll definately be giving this a go!