Potty training feels impossible & overwhelming?!

[Henrihetta]

DS is 2 Years 4 months, Iv started reading “oh crap” , which suggests you don’t wait until they are “ready”, i’m struggling with this approach as how can you get a child who doesn't want to use a potty to use one.

Ideally i wanted to start potty training around now or 2.5 years, not age 3 - as from what iv ready they get even more strong willed/ decisive on things at that age.

Im feeling so confused/overwhelmed as to how to get DS to grasp the concept, I got him to do one wee on the potty by sitting and playing with toys whilst sat on the potty and praising him when he did it.

Since then he wont sit on the potty and has only weed on the floor during nappy free time.

Iv read people catching them weeing and putting them on the potty, how on earth is anyone doing this! His wee was over in seconds and resisted me trying to sit him on a potty whilst he was trying to wee!!

Help please 😩

To add to the above, he is able to say singular words but not able to have a conversation/ sentences. He understands me when I ask him to sit on the potty.

My advice would be just try when they seem ready. For us just before turning three was easy as they were interested and wanted to use the potty/toilet like their friends at nursery. 2-2.5 was a struggle so we stopped. Theyre all different, they all get there in the end. Take the pressure off.

And they haven’t read the books so if its not helpful bin it!

I think I’d wait for his speech to be a bit better to be honest. I’m about to potty train my almost 2 yo but shes a girl (they tend to get it faster) and she seems ready as she tells me when she’s done a wee or is weeing etc. I think if the speech isn’t there yet for your LO wait till he’s closer to 3.

I read oh crap as well.

I booked a week off work when DD was 2 years 2 months old, bought a book on it and told her that we use the potty now and have said goodbye to nappies. The first day she was very upset when wee went on the floor and was then holding it in so went very badly, the second day was better and was able to move her onto the potty at the first spotting of a wee or when I thought she'd go. It was a hard week but by day 7 she'd understood and we've never had any accidents out and about, only at nursery or at home if she has been very tired or not quite made it in time.
She had no understanding of when she was doing a wee before or poop despite very good communication, so initially it was really hard but I'm glad it's over and done with now and it was successful in the end

It’s awful. I tried 3 days straight when DS was 2.5 and gave up. We’re trying again now (3 years, 2 months old) and going MUCH better. The ability to speak and understand is significant

DC1 I tried at 2.5 years as they could talk in full sentences, knew when they needed to go to the toilet but unfortunately due to undiagnosed SEN had accidents until they were 8. I trained too early for them and they got used to having to change etc.

DC 2 waited until 3 who also has SEN but was ready and trained day and night within a week. There is a lot to be said until waiting until they are a little older and ready.

We did oh crap when ds was a few weeks from turning two and by his birthday he was walking around on a day out and using the travel potty with no issues.

Keep him in the nip at home with the potty out. Watch for his cues (fidgeting, crotch grabbing) and put him on the potty or say ok time for potty - don't ask, tell (gently) Put stickers on the potty, read him a story or put hey Duggee on while he sits on it. Loads of praise when it happens, lots of 'big boy' talk. No fuss or shame about accidents.

Some people use stickers or chocolate buttons but we didn't - ds wasn't bothered by stickers then and I worried chocolate would make him glue himself to the potty 🤣

DS could say Poo but would just make a "psss" sound for a wee at first but he definitely knew what was what - he'd look down right before doing a wee and has been going behind the sofa to poo for a little while before we started and would pull at his nappy immediately.

Just keep trying op, he might surprise you!

We just started with a bit of nappy free time when we were home and able to give her the time. She learnt what the potty was and what it was for. We learnt phrases that would get her on the potty and what would get her running for the hills. We got to the point she could easily go 4h at home using the potty and then committed to potty training..
My daughter is one of those that needs to understand things before she does them and this worked for her.

I’d also recommend the toilet seats that sit on top of your normal toilet seats. DC1 wouldn’t use the potty but really got on well when they could sit on the “proper” toilet.
Also I bought some pants that they were excited to wear when we first started training. I did it at 2 yr 4 months but their communication was really good by then.