POTTY TRAINING A 3 YR OLD BOY

Oh yes forget about the books! Jade always has to read a book when having a poo. There is nothing like a drop and go in our house....

When you potty train the utmost patience is needed (not my strong point I must admit), you must basically go with the flow. And once you decide to potty train you say goodbye to daytime nappies completely, except for nap time and as Jems said when going for long drives, otherwise they get confused as to when they can just wee and when they need to run.

Those little accidents are also quite important for them to make the connection between the wet running down their legs and the feeling in their bladders.

I just let the boys run around outside without any pants, so there were no little spills to clean up inside and it was easier for them to "make it" to the potty, without struggling with pants / undies.

Also for the first week or so I basically lived in the bathroom, cos I would take him every 10 - 15 minutes, then we would sit and read a book or sing songs etc.
We also had a star chart in the bathroom, so if there was a wee, he got 1 star and a poo got 2 stars, after 20 stars he got to choose a toy from the "star box"
It is also rather important to get really excited whenever something does happen on the potty - children love to please their parents, so when you get excited about it, they get excited.

I agree with the positive reinforcement but disagree with the sweet thing. They should be wanting to use the toilet and not do it because they are going to get a sweet - maybe star chart or stickers will work better?

Try using postive reinforcement, always encourage and offer a sweet if he manages to use the potty.

Yes it is getting warmer now so you can...

I always thought it would be easier with boys cos the have a winky and can practically wee anywhere....

I use to put a nappy on Jade if we were driving farish as she weed in her car seat a few times! And that is a pain to clean.

I promise after a couple of months you will be like what the hell was I fussing over!

I remember I met my fellow Jan 2010 moms when we where all still preggies in about Nov last year and we were chatting so much I forgot to take Jade to the toilet and all heard was woosh like a flood next to me and there she had weed all over the coffee shop in Canal Walk and my feet! the joys...

Jems, I have had a bad week and your message really put a smile on my face. Especially the part about picking up a "log" off the floor- very funny- thanks.

I will take yours and Jules advice about staying calm. I think I am getting a bit too stressed about the whole thing. I just have to put things into perspective and remember I am dealing with a little boy or has only known his nappy and of course it will take some time for him to make the link between having the urge to use the loo and then actually going to sit on the potty.

I am going to definitely use the tip about just wearing underwear with no pants as that saves a lot of washing.

Oh ya and tried to remain calm about having to pic up a "log" off the floor! Didn't want her to pick up that it was annoying... And we did this at about 22 months. She was at home and my MIL and mom looked after her so they did the exact same thing during the day.

Good luck! x