Does Oh Crap work on >3s …?

[whatahun]

My son is 3.3 months old and “typical” boy…very physically active, behind on speech and stubborn! (Also very sweet and lovely)

We moved abroad 8 months ago and then had another baby, so it didn’t feel right to potty train before 3. I also felt he didn’t have the cognitive or communication skills to understand the concept. I’m regretting this now…

On day 5 of Oh Crap block one and we’re getting nowhere. We had one day of self initiated potty wees (I’m guessing it was the novelty) but it continues to be a very mixed bag with mainly failures. He hops like crazy withholding wees or poos until I get him to the potty. I’ve bought seats and a step for the toilet to see if that helps. And rest assured tried every bribe under the sun! I feel quite sure it’s a psychological block rather than a physical one.

does Oh Crap work for >3s? Should I stick block one out another few days? Or any other method you recommend for older children? He’s had the potty for a year so I don’t think a gradual approach will work for this one!

I’m sure advice will be he isn’t ready, but as we’re 5 days in I want to persevere…
Thank you!

Thanks everyone. I’m going to keep doing what I’m doing. I have to accept he was never going to be one of those children who cracked it in 3 days.

Personally I do think Oh Crap is less effective for older children because it’s an emotional thing for them, more complex than just recognising that they need to go. But I like that it doesn’t shame the child and helps them recognise their cues, plus saves on laundry. Wish me luck!

@Summermeadowflowers sorry to hear you’re suffering but misery loves company! I’m keeping my son naked from the waist down until I’m confident he can self initiate. I can already see a mistake I’ve made is constantly asking him if he needs to go - at this age, they’re just going to say no to everything. Although it’s stressful, I can tell something is happening in his brain because he’s much more tired and affectionate than usual.

I’ve just been telling DS to go but maybe that’s wrong? It’s so stressful! I hope you get sorted.

@Summermeadowflowers according to the method I’m trying, you shouldn’t ask or prompt at all. I have been and it just irritates him, he immediately says no.

I’ve also been explaining it to him and reading/watching potty content, but it’s probably overkill. I think some children love all that storytelling, but if all it was going to take was a couple of YouTube videos he would have trained months ago 😂I just need to ride it out!

I've just done my 3 year old boy twin - it's day 4 today and he's been dry since day 2n for wees and 💩
I have been stressed about it as he's been so stubborn up until now refusing any engagement in doing it

• naked on bottom half
• fill him up with juice - fruit shoots or similar as guaranteed to want a big wee within 20 mins or so
• constant reminders do you need a wee - every 20 mins or so

He refuses to use a potty so I made it a fun game to fly him like superman upstairs to use the toilet ( I have a seat with steps)

• haven't left the house