DS driving me mad! Have been using pull-ups....

[Leo35]

just to get him used to the feel of wet pants and poo in his pants. He likes the ones with Cars on them and I have been using them as a bargaining tool to get him to tell me if needs his pull-up changed if there is a poo on the way or he has done one.

Basically he rarely tells me. He'll tell the ladies at his pre-school but not me or DH. What am I doing wrong? He's 3.11 and so far away from potty training. I am now finally beginning to get worried. I guess that he will get there in teh end, but I am tired of all this. Have any mumsnetters got any words of wisdom: Either on how to be philosophical, or practical adivce.

AFter the bloody awful caper this evening with him denying all knowledge of a smelly poo in his patns, I am all for just getting the pants out tomorrow and going for it with no return.

Except that he has both the dentist and pre-school booster injections booked at the end of this week. What to do?

Ditch the pull up's. They feel the same as a nappy so don't work very well with some children. Use normal pants so he can feel the difference when he's wet or get hold of some of those multi layer ones wirh plastic in the middle, they are fab!

Personally, I would take the pressure off for a few weeks. It seems to have become a big deal and a battle of wills for both of you which isn't going to make training very easy. Go back to ordinary nappies (the 'feel wet' pull ups are a marketing con anyway, imo), don't do any asking about poos/wees, just change him without any comment, don't mention potty training or big boy pants and generally act as if you've forgotton all about it.

Once the pressure's been off for a while, put him straight into real pants with a cheery 'you're 4 now, time for you to be a big boy' and then go for it with no return.

forgive typing as have a snoring DS2 on lap. took olihan's advice and working well. he told me that he needed his nappy cheanged and even sat on the potty of his own volition!! Will continue with this approach.

I knew it was going pear shaped with the battle of wills, but didn't know how to solve effectively. Having a new sibling has also derailed matters.....

A pal of mine has some of the multilayered pants. will try to borrow (she has already offered!)

Thanks for the words of wisdom.

Pull ups don't let them feel wet enough - either ditch them, or put a pair of pants on under the pull-ups if you really can't go without them.

Many children don't feel wet or uncomfortable in pull-ups so have no incentive really to go to the loo.

Glad you had a better day today!

Glad it's been an easier day .