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Any tips on how to get 3yr old to use toilet.

12 replies

heavenis · 21/02/2006 15:38

Ok ds2 just 3has beenpotty trained for a couple of months now. Haven't had many probs with him using potty etc.
My problem is that he will not use the toilet. Says he'll fall in and screams if you try to help him sit on.He'll flush it, talk to it won't wee in it. We have a seat which fixes on the toilet seat.Can you give me any tips to get him to use it please.

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laundrylover · 21/02/2006 16:27

Wow a toiletaphobe!!
Just a few ideas - how about a coloured ping pong ball to wee on? Doesn't flush away I'm assured.
How about taking him with you to choose and buy a different toilet seat so that he wants to use it more. Shops like Wilkis have ones much cheaper than Mothercare etc. I would advise one that just sits on top rather than having to go under the seat as they can do it themselves easier. My friend has a nice cushioned one that Tilly is a fan of! I've just ordered a Rymax family seat as can't abide the clutter gathering in our bathroom with seat, steps etc!
Does he watch you and his dad on the loo? Is he OK with this and can see that you never fall in - I hope!!

heavenis · 21/02/2006 16:38

He watches everyone go to the toilet that includes my mum, me,dh,ds1,mil,fil and anyone else who isn't quick enough to get in alone.I wish my back side was small enough for me to fall in. I think I'll try the softer seat. We have one of those mothercare ones that ds1 used, so that just sits on top. Thanks

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DumbledoresGirl · 21/02/2006 16:44

My ds3 was potty trained 6 months ago but only started using the loo regularly about a month ago. I have seat inserts for both loos but that didn't seem to encourage him to use them. One is squishy and soft because I bought it years ago for ds1 because I worried he might not like sitting on a hard seat, but TBH, our other seat, which is hard, is better than the squishy one, mainly because it has a bump at the front which helps to keep the wee in.

Anyway, the way I got ds3 using the loo instead of the potty was, firstly, only having one potty which I kept downstiars, so if he was upstairs and needed the loo, he had no choice about using the toilet.

Downstairs, he still used the potty though, so in the end I had to physically remove the potty from the downstairs bathroom so he had no choice but to use the toilet there too. He kept asking for the potty of course, but I just said "No, use the toilet" and mainly there was no fuss. The potty is still around at the moment because it is useful if my other children are on the loo and ds3 needs to go. Also, he still can't get himself on the toilet, so if I am not around to put him on, he gets the potty out of the cupboard and uses it then.

But progress has definitely been made. (BTW, he is just 3).

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Pinotmum · 21/02/2006 16:48

Does he have a step to get onto the toilet?

heavenis · 21/02/2006 17:13

Yes he has a step. I thought about just removing the potty. My mil want's me to get him to stand up and wee cos it'd be easier when they're out with him. (he was only 3 last week)we have a potty in the car if he needs to go.

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cece · 21/02/2006 17:19

I read somewhere that sitting them onthe toilet backwards so they are facing the wall helps? Not sure as I have never tried it though!

heavenis · 22/02/2006 14:34

Well now I think my 3yr old can read my posts. Today I suggested he might like to use the toilet and he could have sml bag of sweets. (Yes I know such a bad mother) Anyway took him to the bathroom still cried a bit but managed to sit him on and he did a wee. Hugs and praise, gave him sweets. Next time he wanted to go, he asked if he could have sweets, I said no lots of hugs and praise. He's even did a poo sorry if tmi.
So do you think he's been on here when I'm not looking.

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laundrylover · 22/02/2006 15:18

That's some progress eh? Yeah reckon there was a someone posting under 'toiletaphobe' whose spelling was slightly dodgy!

heavenis · 22/02/2006 17:02

I feel a right fraud now. I should have just given him sweets in the first place. Must investigate his posting name.

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sunnydelight · 22/02/2006 19:29

DD has just been toilet trained in a week using the "one sweetie for a wee, two for a poo" method. Simple and effective

goreousgirl · 22/02/2006 19:35

Sorry - haven't read whole thread. Once saw a tv expert suggest making the bathroom a special place to go... fish toilet seat - special printed paper, dolphin soap etc - a bit drastic but it worked for the tv kid!

SecondhandRose · 22/02/2006 19:45

Bribe him, give him choc if he goes. Sorry has anyone else suggested that?

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