Terrible start to potty training

Let me preface this by saying I would NOT be pursuing any type of PT with Alex right now if it weren't for school starting in September. I've waited and waited for him to start showing signs of readiness and wanting to use the potty, but I can't wait anymore! He needs to get it down for school.

We started Monday, went out in the morning and bought tons of underwear which he picked out himself. When we got home, on they went, and I told him the diapers are gone (he's VERY attached to the diapers, and I knew this would be hard.) The first day was pretty crappy. Lots of crying, holding in the pee, and begging for a diaper. He can hold it for HOURS, but gets upset b/c he has to go and just won't do it. Sometimes a tiny little squirt sneaks out and he gets so upset that it "came out". Then yesterday......still lots of crying and panicking. We spent the majority of the morning in the bathroom. He cried alot. Lots of pacing in circles and crying in the living room b/c he knows he has to go, just won't. I tried the running water. I tried the cheerio thing. I tried leaving him alone. I tried suggesting standing up like Daddy. Daddy went in with him and showed him how he goes. Nothing works!

Then in the afternoon.....one small development, he held it for 6 hours before he finally pooped in his underwear (SO upset that "the poopie came out") then we went outside and he DID get two tiny poops in the potty, then one on the ground and then he peed on my leg. :lol: I can't help but laugh, cuz otherwise I might scream. I gave him a small toy as a reward for his efforts (I figure he needs TONS of reinforcement right now) and he was THRILLED! He was totally psyched when he did it, "Look Sarah!!! LOOK! I did it ALL BY MYSELF!!!" Then 3 minutes later, he did the little "escape squirt" in his pants again and was upset.

It ended badly last night. He didn't eat dinner and cried for about the last hour on and off before bed. He didn't want a story at bedtime. He cried for a while, then basically passed out, exhausted.

I can't believe how BAD he is fighting this. With every fiber of his being, all he is trying to do is NOT go to bathroom. If a little squirt of pee gets out, he gets SO upset, even when I tell him "GREAT!!!! That's GOOD!!!" He gets angry and yells, "NO NO NO NO!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!"

The good news: He KNOWS when he has to go and can hold it until the cows come home. The bad news: He is really terrified of peeing anywhere but a diaper. I know that if I could just get him to do it ONE TIME, he would be fine with it and things would start to get better. He's just so stubborn. I have known for a long time now that he was going to be difficult to train, but I didn't think he would be so set on NOT going.

This is really hard. I want to cry b/c I feel SO bad for him. I'm worried I am scarring him for life.

 

Well at least he KNOWS he can go and it looks like he is pretty stubborn about it! Just think how you can harness that stubborness in the future! :lol: Seriously though, keep at it! He will crack, he has to! Unfortunately, you might crack in the meantime too 8P but that is what we are here for! Come vent to us about it anytime! :hug99:

 

How funny, about an hour after I posted this, he pooped on the potty.........but he's still afraid to pee!!! Isn't supposed to be the other way around??? He did make it once and pee some, but he cried the whole time and was only happy after it was over! I'll take it.........progress is progress!

 

I just wanted to come back and update this, b/c I truly can't believe it myself. He has been WILLINGLY using the potty, #1 and #2, for 2 days now. No accidents to speak of, and happy as a clam.

I CANNOT believe it!!! :drinks:

 

Korie - thats FABULOUS!!!! You did say once he did it once he'd get it - :hug99: BTW how you doing?

 

CONGRATULATIONS!!!! that's fabulous! you must be so proud - and i bet he is so proud of himself too. very cute!

 

QUOTE(korie99 @ Jul 25 2008, 08:32 PM) [snapback]896824[/snapback]
I just wanted to come back and update this, b/c I truly can't believe it myself. He has been WILLINGLY using the potty, #1 and #2, for 2 days now. No accidents to speak of, and happy as a clam.

I CANNOT believe it!!! :drinks:



How awesome! How are things going?

 

Unbelievably well, thanks for asking! He's been accident free since last Thursday and is loving the potty. I truly thought I would never see this day! Completely taking away the diapers and not backing down was just the way to go with Alex. Sarah was totally different in that she showed interest early (age 2) and we were able to just follow her lead. Pull ups worked great with her b/c she treated them like underwear. That would have never worked for him! It's amazing how every kid is so different, even twins!