How to potty train a 3 year old boy who has no interest in it

United States
March 3, 2007 9:52am CST
Our son will be 3 in May. I really wish he would start using the potty. The diapers are getting very nasty these days. I try to coax him into using the Royal Potty- he got it for his last birthday. And nothing. No Go. If he just flat refuses, what can I do?
1 person likes this
3 responses
@akablush (21)
3 Mar 07
I just answered a question along the same lines on a different post/thread. but I would suggest putting fruit loopes or cheerios in the bowl! Making a game out of potty time makes it enjoyable! See if he can aim in the hole, or better yet tell him hes sinking battle ships! hehe I think also what helped our son with potty training is that my hubby would take him to the bathroom all the time and hold him and tell him what he was doing how it was done etc~ (we live in a very secluded area, and my husband would also always take our son in the woods to pee! I dont know if this in an option for you or not, but I think it really helped my son with going to the bathroom like a big guy)~ good luck~
• United States
4 Mar 07
Thanks for the suggestions guys! I'll try them all!
• United States
4 Mar 07
Thanks for the suggestions guys! I'll try them all!
• Grand Junction, Colorado
3 Mar 07
Some children can be very stubborn when trying to potty train. I have a few suggestions you can do a combination or take them one at a time. First I would take him to the store and let him pick out his favorite characters in underwear, most kids are very excited by this. I would also pick up a book or to about potty training to read to him prior to starting and then a book to read while he sits on the potty. Rewards are BIG, when a child actually does something they should be rewarded, you could get a little shoe box and go your local dollar store and pick up little things like stickers, books, small toys, ect and every time he goes on the potty he gets to go to the "Treasure Chest" this is positive reinforcement and I have found that the above has worked wonders for me with all my children over the years. Although potty training can be very stressful for both the child and the parent, it works the best when it's easy going and you make the child want to do this on their own. The above suggestions should get him on the right track. :) Good luck!
@MrsSgtB (289)
• United States
4 Mar 07
Anytime he sits on the potty praise him. The fruit loop/cherrio game sounds good. I really think the will go on the potty when they are ready. My 2yr old at the time refused to go on the potty...we fought with her for days then finally I gave up and she started going on her own. She ran up to me and said, "I did it!" I gave her a lot of praise and a treat and she continued with it. Best of luck to you!