what do you do if your 3 yr old refuses to use potty?

[sansouci]

We're now at our wits' end. Ds says no potty, most emphatically. Screams if we put him on it. Now trying bribery ("I'll give you a new car-car and some choccy") and even threats ("I'll be very cross with you if you go poo-poo in your nappy!"). Nothing works!!!

If anyone had suggested my 3 year old son needed to see a psychologist because he was not yet potty trained I don't really like to think what I would have said or done to them.

good luck sansouci .. glad I could help a little

I think just put the potty away with a sigh, and leave it for a bit. I haven't come across any 10 year old who won't use a loo. Ds will get there in the end. The carer at nursery told me boys are generally slower than girls with this kind of thing, she had plenty of 4 year old boys still in nappies

HE DID IT!!!

There's hope, everyone! Backing off, not pressuring them really works.

Thanks!

Hurray Well done him....and you

Californifirework - the pre-school is breaking the law if they are saying they wont take potty trained children. Counts as discrimination.

Don't worry. I know reading too many MN threads can make you feel like a complete freak if your child isn't trained by 3 years but I think it's a lot more common than it seems. My DS is almost 4 and still poos in his pants every day - won't go to the toilet even if it's obvious he needs to go. He's just had two consecutive dry days for the first time in about 6 months (touch wood that I'm not jinxing it!!).

So you're not alone. It's just all us late learners don't get as much time to go on MN - too many pooey pants / trousers to wash out!!!