Won't use the potty/loo when out of the house

[Greypuddle]

My DS is coming up to 2 and a half. We've been potty-training for about 4 weeks and he's pretty much completely dry within the house and really likes a hand-me-down baby bjorn potty chair we have, I think because it's high and he's quite tall.

When we're out and about, however, he really doesn't like the potette plus (too small for him) and refuses to sit on a big toilet (though he will now sit at home on the big loo for a short period of time before asking to get off). I keep reading that you take them to the loo/potty when out, don't ask, but how does that work when they plank and shout and get upset/angry? Isn't it counter-productive?

He's so comfortable potty-training at home and always, always pees himself when out and about. What do I do? Pull-ups when out? Is he not ready? Help, please!

[addictedtosugar]

would something like this help him feel more secure on a public toilet?

[Greypuddle]

Ah. Thank you for replying. Possibly. My potette plus does that too (not so cutely, it has to be said) and he won't go near it. I've just bought a 'my carry potty' too, with a lid, and he's not interested. I'm worried that I'm just buying more 'kit' and nothing helps. I suppose my question is, do I carry on at home and just give him a pull up when we go to the playground etc? He's not at nursery and the children that he plays with tend to be a little younger and haven't started potty training yet, so he has no incentive...

[TarkaTheOtter]

I find a little bribery helps them get over the initial fear (even if it's just fear of change). With dd it normally just takes a few instances of bribery for the new thing to become normal and then she'll do it without the bribery.

[twirlypoo]

We have a portable urinal I take with us (because I am Utterly bananas!) Ds was terrified of the loo, and refused a potty. So a urinal it was!
It was something like this, though you can get them to clip on the side of the loo and are much smaller if you search

www.amazon.co.uk/Vktech-Potty-Training-Urinal-Boys/dp/B00C17WFJY?tag=mumsnet&ascsubtag=mnforum-21

[twirlypoo]

sorry,clickable link!

[FernGullysWoollyPully]

I've been known to carry the full size potty they like around with us because it avoids those harassing and stressful times when they won't put their wee bums on loos they don't like! It's clean, they trust it. I don't care what other people think!

[Greypuddle]

Thanks everyone. He doesn't pee standing up yet - maybe that's my (or rather, DH's) next training! I love the urinal. And Fern - even a massive baby bjorn throne?! I'd love to carry that around cos he really trusts it, but it is huge, which I think is why he loves it so much. I could wear it as a hat, maybe?

It's also a refusal to stop playing problem, so he refuses to sit, makes a big fuss, then pees in his pants five mins later without having said anything. then it's 'oh no, mummy, oh no, I done a pee'. At home he would take himself off to the potty before that happened.

[FernGullysWoollyPully]

How big are we talking?!

I probably would carry it yes unless it was a physical impossibility. (I'm the one with a potty in the trolley!) people probably thought I was weird but my oldest dd had a huge issue with public loos particularly the flush, she's 7 now and still runs when she flushes! We had a winnie the poo potty chair and I still took it everywhere!

With the refusal to stop playing thing, we had the same trouble with DD2 at nursery, we started a reward certificate. Maybe while he's still in the early stages, I would let him play with a small toy on the potty until he's done. Give him a sticker for behaving, let him choose the stickers, give him a choice of 2 'treats' then let him pick. He'll get the idea.

[Greypuddle]

We're talking this Yes, it would definitely have to be trollied - wouldn't fit in the bottom of the buggy. Rewards scheme good idea as even the chocolate buttons aren't cutting it anymore. None of this applies at home and I think he's getting quite stressed by it. Thanks so much for all the help and advice, I really appreciate it.

[twirlypoo]

We had the toilet fairy come and visit us. Ds was terrified of the loo so I put it off until he was 3. Then the toilet fairy (he calls them the fairy angel though!) came and took all ds nappies and left a load of pundshop presents in the toilet, with a new smaller seat on the loo and step and loads of pants. DS totally believed this and was scared but wanted the wrapped presents so badly he did it. He cracked it in about 2 days - chocolate buttons didn't cut it for us either!

Hopefully I don't out myself with this photo. I really went all out! haha!

[Greypuddle]

twirlypoo that is genius. Like a poo and bum-themed Christmas morning. I love all these ideas. Off to wrap some toys and get a reward chart. Or I'll invent a toilet seat with an inbuilt screen that plays 'Footy Pups' (current favourite) every time you sit on it. And the Andy's Dinosaur Adventure theme when something comes out.