HELP! I have one month to potty train my 3 year old.

[Mudwiggle]

I have tried potty training DS1 on lots of occasions, but he simply hasn't been ready. He currently wears pull ups and will sit on the potty when asked, produce a wee and get a marshmallow reward. However he also still wees and poos in his pull ups.

He turned three last week and is due to start kindegarten on 1 Aug. They are tolerant of accidents, but do require children to be basically potty trained, which he is not ATM.

Any suggestions? Does the Gina Ford in one week method work? I am desperate here! (HV totally unconcerned "he will do it when he's ready")

[LeMousquetaireAnonyme]

An expert told me recently it is all about muscle development and nerve control down there. The sure signs that he is ready are jumping with both feet at the same time and climbing stairs alternating feet (like an adult would). If he can do that he is more than ready to be potty train (go without nappy and take him regularly to the toilet don't ask him if he wants to go at that age the answer is always no), if he can't may be you can start training him to do those 2 and see if it helps.

[ragged]

chocolate drops as rewards.

[chimchar]

in my experience (used to be a nursery nurse and have 3 kids) children will only potty train when they are good and ready.....

if your ds is ready, he'll be done within a few days...its like a switch flicks and all of a sudden they just get it.

you may have the odd accident, but no more. if he is not ready, the accidents will be constant.

try not to feel too pressured into it...there really is nothing you can do except wait! good luck!

[Joycey29]

Been really lucky dd and ds both ready according to 'Gina' and both dry in a few days. So agree it s to do with them wanting to. However, best mates ds was same as you and had two weeks before he started nursury and had to be dry!

She went with chocolate buttons but found the thing that worked best was no potty but a really comfy seat! It was the seat that did the trick for her..... Good luck!

[Joycey29]

I mean a comfy seat on the toilet obviously!!!!!

[girlywhirly]

Do not use pull-ups, as they feel just like a nappy. Use proper thin pants, when they are wet it is obvious that there is nothing to catch the accident, so the child becomes aware of this; also pants are so thin that they feel different to pull-ups and are more of a reminder to the child.