Some advice needed from potty training veterans please....

[Supercherry]

Started potty training DS1, aged 2.3, getting on for 2 weeks ago. While at home, and when wearing nothing on his bottom half, he rarely has accidents, will go on potty for wees and poos unprompted. (I still frequently remind him that the potty is there if he needs a wee or poo).

The problem is while we are out. If he is wearing loose shorts/trousers and is playing, he is unwilling to use potty. Yesterday, at the park, I could see he wanted a wee, he was clutching his willy and plaiting his legs. I took the potty out and tried to encourage him to use it. He just wanted to play and obviously weed himself.

At toddler group last week, same scenario, it was obvious he needed to wee but he flatly refused to go.

DS1 isn't forgetting, he would just rather carry on playing and wet himself. He is a very determined little chap and will not do something he doesn't want to do.

So how do I get him to want to use the potty despite it interrupting play?

I haven't tried bribery, ie, sweets/stickers because I think DS1 would probably rather play than have either, or he would want the sweets but would still refuse potty as he wants to play.

I do massively praise him when he does a wee/poo at home and he seems to enjoy it.

[girlywhirly]

Could you get him to do a wee on arrival at the park before he starts playing? Don't ask, say that he is going to sit on the potty first. You could do the same at toddler group. Sometimes, especially with very newly trained dc it is better to do this rather than wait until they are bursting/ ask to go, or not ask and wet themselves.

[Supercherry]

The problem is that there will still be the temptation to play so I don't see how I will be able to persuade him to go.

Also, what if he doesn't need a wee on arrival?

I don't wait until he is bursting, I frequently, say every 15 mins, try to encourage him onto the potty but he just won't entertain it!

Thank you for the idea though Girlywirly- it's appreciated.

At the toddler group, I actually took DS to the toilet, with potty, despite protests but while we were there he just kept saying 'Car, car, car!!!!'. Took him back to play and then he wet himself.

To use that saying, 'you can lead a horse to water but you can't make him drink'- that just about sums it up.

[girlywhirly]

Perhaps you are asking too often! They can get a bit sick of it and start to ignore or refuse. They can be jiggling and holding themseIves and still insist they don't need a wee. I doubt he needs a wee every 15 mins.

Is it possible to get him to try on the potty before he even sets eyes on the activities at toddler group? Obviously you can't force him to wee, but the expectation is that he must at least try first before going to play. If he still wets, there isn't a lot you can do, apart from removing him from the play area/toys and take him to be changed. Perhaps he will realise that he is missing out on play when he wets and you take him away to change, and will try using the potty!

[bumbums]

I have same problem with my DS. He's gradually becoming more used to the idea that he has to take toilet breaks. His ability to hold it is also getting better too.
I find letting him take a toy to the toilets can sometimes work. But mainly its just teaching him that we have a new way of doing things now.

[Supercherry]

Maybe I am asking too often but don't want him to forget if he is engrossed in play.

Been to the seaside yesterday and today and he has had no accidents which is brilliant so I think I might risk toddler group/park again soon and see if it's any better this time.