Potty training: little progress, should I give up?

[TG38]

I have been following the Gina Ford Potty Training in one week book with my DS who is 2 years 6 months. We have followed it religiously, spending 2 weeks building up the introduction to the potty and are now on day 4.

On the first two days he merrily weed lots throughout the day with no control at all. Yesterday he seemed to have worked out how to hold it, going a few hours in between wees (but still not on the potty) so I though that was progress.

Today, day 4, I'm tearing my hair out TBH. He has wet himself 7 times so far and soiled himself once. I keep reminding him about the potty, and it's always in an obvious place but he just keeps wetting himself and doesn't seem bothered about it. I make him sit on the potty when I'm aware he hasn't been for an hour or so, he sits for ages, does nothing and then wets himself minutes later, it's so frustrating!

We've done lots of preparation with books, role playing, have a reward chart... I'm due with number 2 early Oct and he will start pre school in Sep so I was really hoping this would work out.

So... My question is, does it sound like I should give up because he's not ready or should we carry on a bit longer? I have cleared this week to dedicate myself full time but we can't stay housebound for much longer, and I can't take him out like this.

Any suggestions? Thanks so much for listening!
X

How are you doing this week?

We are at about the same stage with a 3yo, he does some wees in the potty and two mirco-poos. But often he is sitting on the potty and then going on the floor 4 secs later. Also spends a lot of time refusing to try at all or put on pants and trousers (it's cold here).

Also did lots of preparation, not sure it helps. This is my worst bit of parenting so far!

Hi TG,
Don't have any advice but just wanted to post to say I'm in precisely the same situation. I'm on my fifth day with little or no progress. I have taken time off work and my poor DD has only been out of the house once in that period. Have managed to catch about 3 weeks over 5 days but the rest has been on the floor and she has never told me she'd like to go.

She too is due to begin in a Montessori school where they only accept toilet trained children in September but I really don't think it's working and am on the verge of giving up. Feel I have tried everything by talking to her about it, offering rewards not leaving the house etc but it doesn't seem to be working.

Have you made any progress?

Any advice on whether to continue?

Ds1 at aged 2.6 was exactly the same op. both he and I were getting a bit stressed out so I stopped. I started again 4 days before his third birthday, cracked it in 3 days, dry by night as well within 2 weeks.

If instinct says he's not ready then give yourselves a break and try again later?

We're training DD2 (2,8) Started five days ago. By day three I was feeling it was hopeless (yes, I know, I know... too much pressure) but today has been a good day and I got a call from DH while I was at work where DD2 happily shouted to me from the background that after two poo accidents this morning she had then pooed on the toilet for the first time. Hooray! Progress!

It just feels so much more pressure with DD2 though as she will go back to four almost full days at nursery after the summer and DH and I will go back to work. (training DD1 I was a FT SAHM and she only went to a few hours nursery a week) I really feel we need to have it 'cracked' so that she is comfortable and at ease using the toilet at nursery and being able to express her needs in good time so that her teachers can take her.

I think that patience and time are the key, if you can manage it.

Interesting to read about other people in the same boat. We're on day 4 of training, DS 2.11 yet to do anything at all in the potty. Doesn't mind weeing/pooing himself all day long. Will probably give it a couple more days, then if no progress try again in a month or so.

I had a hard time to start with, but I now think that's because my little guy wasn't quite ready - it's so hard to know... very different for different kids :) I read this: www.squidoo.com/potty-training-how-to - after doing a fair bit of research on when to start, and found it to summarize everything I'd already read about pretty concisely. So once he was ready, we did the 3 day method... and wow, it's super easy now... there are still accidents every now and again (2 weeks after at this point) but he's happy to use the potty or the toilet and I'm so proud of him! Putting Froot loops in the toilet can help with aim, too!

oops here's that link (properly) again if anyone's interested: www.squidoo.com/potty-training-how-to