Needing encouragement: Day Three of Potty Training Hell

[Anonymous]

Do you live in a house? I know that with my 3 boys, I started out letting my boys go outside..in the yard, on a tree...whatever...

[Anonymous]

I can't decide if I should let my pee-trained DS wear underpants, as he's requesting. He won't poop in the potty and has very messy accidents when he's in his underwear... although once in a while he'll ask for a pull-up just in time. So I've been keeping him in pull-ups.

[Meconbear]

Taking a break sounds good for your sanity OP! I'm not quite there with my DS yet, but my friend said that there's an Elmo potty training video that worked wonders for her three boys. Maybe try that when you're ready again?

[Anonymous]

I feel for OP and 23:06 post. My son was 4 before he was willing to use the potty/toilet. He withheld BMs, demanded the diaper. It was a really stressful experience for him and me. I think it occurred because I failed to be clear in the goal and allowed him to manipulate me because I wasn't confident about what I was doing. I let him tell me he wasn't ready when he physically was very, very ready. I also measured success by not having accidents. Ultimately, it boiled down to a power struggle btw DS and I. In the end, I said no more pull ups or diapers. You can pee or poop on the floor, in the grass, etc., but no more diapers ever. That did the trick. With my second, DD, once she was physically ready (age 3) and I was ready because I was still gun shy from DS, we went cold turkey during the day (at night she wears pullups still). I adopted the attitude that success is measured by not peeing and pooping in the diaper. The floor was better than the diaper. So.....She peed in the grocery store, and she peed on the pastor's sofa, in addition to peeing on the floor a few times. But I think those embarassing moments for her helped her get the idea fast. I thin she pooped a few times on the floor--mostly trying to get the potty but the timing was off. With DD there was no power struggle because I was very clear in my intention--no diapers during the day. I took her off naps so she couldn't have an accident while sleeping. There were no rewards. I encouraged her for trying and sympathized when she peed/pooped somewhere other than the potty. In less than month, she was using the toilet. I think the difference in these experiences was purely my attitude. Good luck! This can be and is so stressful!