Help with toilet training a 3 year old

I'd wait for the warmer weather. It's simple, with accidents, to wash a pair of pants and shorts.

Mine were all keen to be out of nappies very young - but it was far easier, back then, as we rarely used the car. They could just do a wee somewhere, when out and about.

We didn't have a potty, but a special loo seat, with an extra, little, seat for them (they loved it) along with a step stool. They saw using the toilet as 'grown up' behaviour.

We didn't use rewards, just a 'Well done' or 'Never mind' and a relaxed attitude worked just fine.

As he has had upheaval he may take a bit longer fir any change anyway. Make the potty available by the toilet, buy a couple of story books about potty training etc (some great ones out there), read them without commenting specifically on him, just another story. Does he have a man around who can demonstrate/be watched without comment re stand up wees? Some boys progress straight to that if a step is provided by the toilet! Good luck!

MsOops DH put the potty next to the loo, when he went to use the loo GS went in there as well and used the potty.
This might work for you as well?

Buy a potty. Show him what it’s for then leave him. No pressure on him but make sure it’s there and when he does use it lots of praise.

BlueBell, I think it depends on the child. My DD was daytime dry at 1 and dry at night by 2. But she was just ready. I did very little really. DGS needed a LOT of encouragement at 2 1/2.

My grandson in the US was over four before my DIL started potty training seriously, apparently that’s not unusual over there. He grasped the idea in just a couple of days, possibly because he was older and more aware of his body sensations. He had very few accidents and was also dry at night very quickly, he just decided he did not want to wear diaper ( as he called them) in bed anymore.

My grandson who is 3and a half has just this week decided he want big boy pants on and goes to potty no problem now after a good few months of us all asking him every day to go to potty eventually he decided for himself

I find 3 really old I know it the modern way to do it as late as you can and do it when they want to do it but as I m from a era when we had to wash nappies so I had mine all out of daytime nappies really young and all my grandkids have as well perhaps I was just lucky but they all wanted pretty pants and the boys had posh lads pants I remember my second oldest granddaughter at under 18 months seeing in her potty and trotting off to empty it in the toilet I was waiting for it to go everywhere but it didn’t I remember her age clearly as I babysat while her mum and dad went in a belated honeymoon
Reading about children still going to school in nappies I m glad I did it my way
I like the reward and lots of praise and clapping system

My younger daughter vowed to toilet train her twin girls during the summer school- holidays. They were to spend the first week with me so I had “first go”. I thought I would reward them with chocolate buttons, always a winner, but they really wanted to wear my pendants. I have two I wear regularly.
A good “performance” you got a pendant, an “accident” and I had it back.
Worked a charm. It’s about finding a reward that is meaningful to them.
Good luck. Remember your child was out of nappies by at least 10, so you’ve done this before.

My DGS is 3 3/4 too and dry. However, he took a year to train. He was able to control bladder and bowel but didn't want to. It's been a boon though, because he's in nursery now and they are not keen on having untrained children.

I think it's one of those things you have to grit your teeth and do. Having said that, DGS's mum, my DD, virtually trained herself. So I had it much easier.

DGS2 is reliably dry now at 3 ¾ but was well over 3 before showing any interest. Since he started nursery he insists on doing a standing wee so I think he is copying the other boys. Poos are a different story as he likes to be on his hands and knees with a nappy on - also likes to be on his own. He has occasionally gone on the toilet and likes to plop it in to go to poo land after he has performed. It will come in time.

I wouldn’t worry
My Grandson was 3 when he came out of nappies .we didn’t push him .he just decided he wanted to use the toilet like a big boy .

Dont worry about it - it will happen

My mother gave me valuable advice many years ago…..not many eighteen year olds are in nappies!

Just a precaution. - my eldest boy was late in using the toilet. I was advised to get him tested to see if he had a urine infection. Which he had. After treatment he got better control.
good luck!

I wouldn't worry about it, he'll just decide he's going to use his potty or the toilet in his own time. If you're relaxed about it he will be too.

Thanks for your reply,I switched to Terry nappies mainly for environmental reasons and believe they are better for the child,but I do think maybe he is to comfortable wearing a terry nappy as he seems very content and not fazed about being wet or dirty and will lay on his changing mat without a care in the world

I hope you didn’t change to Terry nappies in the hope that he would be so uncomfortable that he would suddenly become dry, especially at 2 and a half, because as you say he’s had an upheaval in his young life.

Boys are often later to train(so they say). He will do it when he is ready, you could encourage him to use the potty at certain times of the day and leave it at that, at least he’ll know what it’s for. But don’t worry about it .

The longer you leave it, the easier it will be. By three years old, he’ll know about wees and poos, but your family circumstances may have got in the way?

Don’t worry. Boys are harder anyway. I had two of each. Girls hated being messy. Boys didn’t care!

Sounds like you doing a great job. He’ll be out for sure one day. Make the journey as pleasant as possible.

Good luck

Leave it until the better weather. It’s hard going to toilet train in the dark dank days of Jan/Feb!

I assume he goes to nursery. Judging from all my GC nurseries, they’ll help establish a routine and he’ll see other children using potties/toilets, too.

Please do not fret over toilet training, when he is ready he will let you know.

Truly, don't worry about it

Things seem much more relaxed around toilet training now.
You could try buying a potty and just leave it in sight.