Potty training - refusing to go/getting upset

[WLdnMama]

Hi there

day 2 of trying to train our 2.5yr old son.
he knows what the potty is, can pull pants down, sit and pretend to wipe but is refusing to actually wee or poo on the potty.

when we ask him if he needs it he says ‘no’ but know he does need it
he’s definitely holding them in cuz he used to have 3-4 dirty nappies a day

I’m not sure if it’s a control thing, wanting to be independent or rebelling against it because we’re suggesting it but not sure whether to keep going or wait until he’s more amenable to try again.

anyone else experienced this? I.E all the basics are there but just will not go in the potty? What did you do?

thank you!

Are you doing rewards- star chart, chocolate button? Exciting undies with his favourite characters on? Big it up make it exciting rather than 'you're a big boy now and have to use this"
If there's a lot of resistance I'd say leave it for a bit, but leave the potty out and plenty of talk about it and the rewards and the undies when he's ready. Try again in a few weeks. With my DD she wouldn't use the potty but we put a mini toilet seat on the actual toilet and she couldn't wait to use it.

Patience and bribery.
Some kids are almost there physically but not emotionally. It's a bit scary and unknown.
Leave it a couple of months and try again. Leave the potty out with no pressure to use or not.
Look up 'poo goes to pooland'
Maybe also try an insert to the toilet to sit on instead?
It can take a while to find the approach that works best for you.

With my daughter it really helped her to focus on the sound pee makes. So when she was in the bathroom with me I'd point out the noise of me peeing then when she sat on the potty I'd say I wanted to hear her pee. We also used a sticker chart.

Blowing bubbles also helps! The advantage with a toilet insert is the feet are supported on a little step stool too which is more comfortable.

If he is getting upset about it, I would back right off. You could just leave it out and see if he engages with it. My DC did, then we reinforced him using it with a reward chart. The family toilet seats are great too.