My son is 3 and 7 months, we started toilet training almost a year ago but we have never had one full week without him peeing or pooing in his pants. We tried a potty first, then the toilet (bought him little ladders to help) but he just wont do it.
We have tried a little chart telling him that he could have a treat once he had a row of stars - cue the screaming that he just wanted the treat and no focus on the toilet, we didn't even get through the day!
We tried pull ups but he prefers pants.
We tried talking to him about the germs and the fact that it isn't a nice smell.
We tried telling him we were very sad when he had an accident and very happy when he went to the toilet.
We have tried ignoring accidents and just changing him without a fuss.
we have tried using his friends/cousins as examples (i.e look Billy uses the toilet all the time!)
We have tried asking him to go. and taking him at intervals.
The other night we just decided to tell him straight, that he couldn't go to nursery (which he is excited about) if he cannot use the bathroom. My husband & I really gave the kid what for and told him he would be getting one pair of pants in the morning and one pair of pants only and he has to keep them clean and dry or he would get his pyjamas on and go to bed. ( I then went downstairs and cried for shouting at my little boy and fearing that we will give him mental scars over toilet training) but the next day he stayed clean and dry!
That didn't last long, now we are back at square one and i am out of ideas. I am so frustrated that i don't know where to go from here. I have the sweetest smartest kid but he just can't/won't/ doesn't want to use the toilet.....
The last thing I can think of is to just leave him in his wet/dirty underwear to see if it changes his mind, he is used to being cleaned and changed then going back to play.
Sorry for the long post but I really need some advice!!!
Thanks - a stressed out MUM!