Day 2 of potty training...give up or perservere?

[Gotsuckedin]

DS is 2.7. This is the third time I have tried potty training with him. Decided to try again this week and give it a good go, just letting him walk around with pants off and asking him to sit on the potty every so often. Day one he was brilliant, sat on the potty and did a bit of wee every time I suggested although only very small amounts were coming out and it seemed like a bit of a game as he would run on, sit for a couple of seconds and run off laughing. However no accidents which was good. He did seem to hold his wee almost all afternoon though and when his dad came home and asked him to do a wee, he sat on the potty and did a massive wee. Looked like a good sign and the fact he can hold his wee and control it makes me think he is able to comprehend the idea.

Day 2, and he is pretty much refusing to sit on the potty. He is just dribbling wee everywhere almost as if he hasn't noticed. He then stood right next to me and did a huge wee. I had asked him to sit on the potty minutes before too.

He does seem to be going a bit stir crazy today and is climbing/jumping all over me and throwing himself round the place so I don't know if he is just incredibly bored and so being defiant. We are usually out doing something every day as he has tonnes of energy. He is definately in a defiant mood today, trying to push all my buttons and refusing to do everything I ask with a cheeky smile on his face!!

So, ready and persevere in hope of a better mood tomorrow, or give up for a while? I have a newly crawling 8mo too so it is getting a bit difficult with all the wee everywhere, however I am back at work followng M/L in a month so I really want to be the one to crack this.

I would say persevere. He can hold it in for a long time and that is a good sign. He is more familiar with a nappy maybe that's why he does not want to sit on the potty.

Do you have any stickers/rewards for him after he does a wee or poo? I got my DS a sticker board where he would award himself with a pirate sticker every time he did a wee and that got him really exited. He only got it after he did a wee and not just sit on the potty. I made a big fuss if he did a wee and would call up DP and inform him "DS is such a big boy he did a wee on the toilet". He was very proud of himself when he managed to do it.

HTH.

Amazing Amy

Sorry I am just replying, thanks both for your replies. I did have a sticker chart Amy but he really wasnt interested and kept saying no thank you when I asked if he wanted to choose one! He also doesn't respond to being praised as a "big boy" it is like he sees through all my tactics!!

Thanks polter I have only been reminding him to sit on the potty when he clearly seems desperate for a wee for the last few days as I took on board what you said about it not being too healthy.

After perservering, we really haven't had too much success. He has been holding everything in including poos and refusing to sit on the potty even when he clearly needs to go and will then have an accident. Weirdly, his dad has asked him to go a couple of times and he has done it (has also said no lots of times too) but he won't do it at all for me. I have been casual in asking him to try and have avoided bribes etc and I have calmly cleaned up all messes. It is like he can physically control it but is too stubborn/doesn't want to do it. Is this common? I am worrying a bit that he is in a bit of a power battle with me especially since he has done it for his dad who is here less often...

Thanks polter I did think it was a good sign but he seems to be point blank refusing to wee on the potty. It is so frustrating as I can see he is dying to go and will keep asking him to wee on the potty. He will humour me by sitting on momentarily but either doesn't know how to relax the muscle or won't wee.

This afternoon we went into the garden and he kept asking to get toys out the garage but I kept calmly saying that he needed to do his wee first. Every time I said it he would sit on the potty for a moment before running off. I perservered but he eventually wet himself. I will say "are you going to do it on the potty next time" or words to that effect but he will reply "no". He is very stubborn and determined generally (as am I!) so part of me thinks do I just have to keep going with it...

Agree, stop asking/telling/pleading with him to sit on the potty and let him decide when he needs to go. Be very neutral about mistakes but huge praise when he does it (we had a song). Also, don't knock bribery - we found a jelly tot per wee/ 2 for a poo worked brilliantly.
If you persevere expect lots if accidents for a few days whilst he shows you that you are not the boss of his bladder. Just give zero attention beyond a clean pair of pants.

It sounds like he's physically ready - great that he's been able to hold it for long periods.

But it does sound like it's become a bit of a power struggle - and that's a fight you're never going to win. I think that for some children, it has to come from them. Maybe you could try backing right off: just asking him whether he needs to go occasionally, but never pressuring him to sit on the potty? I quite liked the Gina Ford 'potty training in one week' book, except that she says to make the child sit on the potty often and for long periods- which might work for many children, but it didn't work at all for my DD. Letting her own it was the only way for her.

Also,is there a reason you've got his pants off, apart from saving washing? I'd be inclined to try with them on - that way he has the 'consequence' of wet pants which might make him more aware and keen to do it.

The 'Pirate Pete' book is great, to get them interested and keen on their own account.

Instead of using a potty put a ping pong ball in the toilet and get him to try and 'sink' it, more fun that squatting on a potty