Is my DS ready for potty training?

[Taichimum]

He is 2.5 and I have been experimenting with some nappy free time. He likes sitting on the loo 'being a pig boy' and loves wearing pants but not keen on potty. However he has never done a wee or a poo in the toilet or the potty. He just sits on it, looks down and says 'nothing coming out mummy' like he does not understand why it is not coming.
When he wears bear bottom half at home or pants he always ends up weeing or pooing on the floor or in pants. He seems to not sence at all when he needs the loo and always looks shocked when it happens.
I have not made any attempt to bribe or train in any way yet, although I have explained the whole concept to him, which he understands.
My instinct is he is not ready, but lots of people I know have said boys are never ready, you just have to get on with it. However of the few people I have seen doing it, it seems to be taking ages with loads of accidents, endless asking 'do you need the loo' and bribery for months on end and a mountain of washing. It seems to be very draining and very long drawn out process and I just can't face it.
Am I just being a coward at not wanting to start or is there a chance he really is not ready and if I leave it for a few months it might be easier?

dp did a wee in the pot to demonstrate, that was v successful ds copied. do whatever is most convenient for you.

mine are 3 in december and we are now dry in the day. We started back in April I think! but it just clicks. We had lots of accidents and i always put nappies on them when we went out. Luckily mine are at nursery full time, so for 5 days a week they were being put on the potty every half hour regardless of whether they asked or not.

I say don't rush it, they will just twig. If you are feeling brave and the weather is warm, try a day at home, with just pants on and a potty in full view. Every half hour sit him on and when he goes (if) then go nuts with excitement and tell him what a big boy he is. If he has accidents just clear up with minimum of fuss. I also used to put a nappy on OVER their pants if we went out, so that if they did go they would feel wet and thus continuing with their training without the mess and wet clothes.

Good luck anyway, it will just kinda happen

I think leave it. Everybody I speak to says the longer you leave it, the easier it is. Friend waiting till hers was nearly 3, and only had 1 accident. It is difficult, though, when all other mums seem to do really early, and family pressure you into it.

It seems good that you are introducing the concept. Perhaps continue with this until you get some more signs

I agree. My DS is only 19 months but already we get questions if we're starting the training. I really don't think he is ready. When he walks around the house with nothing on - he wees as he goes, doesn't even stop It's quite funny actually!

The way I look at it - I haven't seen one groom who was walking down the aisle wearing a nappy!

many thanks to all for your advice. I think you are right and I should leave it. Baby due early 2007 and I think I thought I had to do it before then. I guess if there are good signs before then I could go for it. Otherwise I'll leave it until a couple of months after baby (he will be 3).
This morn from the time he woke up he wore pants with no wee despite having lots to drink. Even sat on potty and I read him stories for nearly half an hour but still did not do a wee. This is even more frustrating than him weeing in pants! Eventually I put a nappy on, although he did not want me to, and then he did a wee.
So confusing.

Taichimum,

TBH your last post shows how well he can control his bladder, he waits until he has access to the place he has been trained to use as a toilet all his life...his nappy.

He sounds like a bright little boy, who is not sure what you want him to do yet...he'll get there

If you wanted to have another go, maybe try sitting him on an open nappy on the potty, might be a good middle stage to get him use to weeing without it.

I'd leave it until quite a few months after the baby, if possible. Otherwise, you might end up finding it takes even longer because he will (and I speak from DS's experience here!) find life tough enough dealing with having an 'interloper' in the house! I assume you'll want him trained by September, if he's starting nursery then so why not start in the summer next year, when he can potter about semi-naked outdoors, and there are fewer clothes even when fully dressed to have to launder.

And you never know, he might just decide he's ready before then. They do say that if you start at 2, they'll be potty-trained at 3, and if you start at 3, they'll be potty-trained t 3. Even boys!

-They do say that if you start at 2, they'll be potty-trained at 3, and if you start at 3, they'll be potty-trained t 3. Even boys!

They do say that, but recent research has shown that the earlier you start the earlier you finish !!!

As children don't read any of these reports, they will train when encouraged and supported, depending on attitude, ability and situation.

Which is why you get some children dry at 1 years old and others still in nappies at 5 years old.

But they all get there in the end

Am torn on this..Ds trained at 2.2yrs on his request. I had just had dd1 and he said babies nappies, me no and took it off. Didnt look back and within 3 days he was out of nappies.
DD1 is now 20mths and have just started today to see how she goes as for past 3mths she has said wee or poo depending on what had dirtied her nappy. She also took off dirty nappies so am seeing what happens with her. There is no rule that says just because you try it means you cant stop.