Hating potty training

[DashingRedhead]

DS nearly 2.5. Not a single successful trip to the potty today, no weeing in potty, several accidents. Now getting v distressed when I ask him to try. It was at his instigation 'my want big boy pants'. Now we're all fed up after 5 days. Do I break the rules and give up, to revisit later? Stickers and chocolate buttons have been in vain.

I don't see why not. I tried with DS at 2.4, failed completely, put him back in nappies for a month, tried again and it just worked. Don't know why; it just did. I don't think stickers or rewards are really appropriate; if he was able to do it, he would do it.

I'd give up if I were you. It's good that he has the ambition but it doesn't sound like he's ready. FWIW, ds found it much easier at first if he had a bare bum whilst at home, he found it too difficult to distinguish between the feeling of pants and the feeling of a nappy, I think. So if it's practical, you could try some bare bum time and see if it helps?

Maybe try without the potty ?

A small step at the toilet and he'll be able to climb on himself - potty's are well a bit pointless really.

We've got a potty, a potty chair and a booster seat! He hates them all now. Before he'd occasionally choose one, successfully do his wee and them bask in the applause.

And I feel like I'm being really cruel because he cries when I sit him on any of them.

If he is really hating it, I would definitely pop him into pull-ups for a month and not mention potties or toilets and just try again when you are both feeling more relaxed.

Yes, def try again later. What's the point of making him hate it as much you!?

Thank you all - I'm going to leave it for now. DH is also worried about causing long-term anxiety. It's not worth it. Happy with a nappy.