Help, do we persevere or throw in the towel?

[andmeee]

DS is 2 years 9 months and we started to potty train him around 4 weeks ago (after a failed attempt at Christmas). Some days he does really well and has minimal accidents, goes to the potty without prompting, other days he will wee on the floor in front of us with his potty in sight and have accident after accident. He attends nursery and has good days and bad days there also. He seems to have more accidents when he is tired which is understandable.

It feels like over the past week it has got worse and he has had several accidents a day. I'm not sure if this is normal or he is not ready yet. It feels like it would be shame to give up now when we have made some progress but also I don't want to push him if he's just not ready.

He is anxious about pooing and needs support and reassurance with this but will do it when he can't hold it any longer. I know this is common behaviour but I feel so sad for him as he shakes in fear.

I read the Oh Crap book and have followed the method (although instantly felt like a crap mum for leaving it so late) but am just feeling at a loss.

I'd keep going if he can do it well some days. My younger son sounds similar, finally trained about 4 weeks ago, and he's 3.5 so no way am I going back to nappies. He seemed to regress and we had a week of pee everywhere, all over the sofas, floors multiple outfit changes per day But he's improved a lot over the past week, probably about one accident per day. I think for some kids it's a longer process than others - neither of mine have ever just clicked with it and that's it, it's been more gradual than that.

I would persevere, it sounds like he's doing well most days, unfortunately some children do this and will get there in the end. If you keep stopping and starting it could confuse him and possibly take longer.

Don't feel like a crap mum! I also have that book, bought smugly when DS1 was 18m old and I was going to start... well he finally trained at 3yrs 10m, and barely an accident he because he was ready and so was I. Don't get hung up on what the book says - relax. It will happen.