My almost three year old son and I are in a full scale potty war!! He has no problem doing pee pee in the toilet by absolutley refuses to poop. I am at my wits end. He has now started holding in his poop by clenching his butt cheecks...He did this for almost three weeks and we went through about 6-10 diapers a day!! I have declared war and now make him wear big boy underspants (against his will) so that he can be uncomfortable. I feel that if he is able to bring me a diaper and wipes, tell me he made poop then he should be doing his business in the toilet. Any ideas.......I am at my wit's end..

I'd be getting rid of all the diapers in the house. Also, a friend of mine took away the underwear and pants too - but that I don't recommend.

My best recommendation would be to treat him like a puppy or kitten. Sit him on the toilet regularly and give him a book to read. It stinks, because you'll have to sit in there too to make sure he doesn't trash the place. Kids are afraid of going poo in the toilet. I don't get it, but they are. Maybe its the noises or the strange feeling. With my daughter it ended up being that she was afraid of falling in because it took so long while she was there. I just turned her backwards on the seat. (we used a pop in toilet seat instead of a potty chair- i find potty chairs disgusting.)

The truth of the matter is that consistency and a lot of effort are the only thing that work. If you work during the day, you will need to get your babysitter on track too. I had a bad daycare that didn't keep up on training. We switched due to funds and the lady at the new daycare was right on track with her and she was "fixed" in less than a month. Keep him on a schedule and just make him sit there.

I agree about getting rid of all the diapers in the house. As long as they are there to fall back on, he won't do what he is suppose to do. I got rid of all the diapers at home and day care. I started putting him in big boy underwear and sending him w/plenty of clean dry undies and clothes (including socks) to daycare every day. I did laundry everyday for almost 3 weeks until he finally got the hint that he wasn't going to win. He still to this day is scared of the auto flush toilets and he is almost 7, but he rarely has an accident. Consistency is the best way for them to learn. I use to put him on the toilet about 5 minutes after eating and leave him there until he did his business. Pardon the pun, but it is a crappy job that has to be done. No pull ups either. They feel too much like a diaper and don't really help them learn what it feels like to be wet or muddy.

Dont Worry and Relax... Just think that there is no children in kindergarten wearing diapers.

As a director of a daycare centre for a little while... and with my son FINALLY learning to go "poop" in the potty at the age of 3.5 years old... all children eventually become "trained".

Some things I tried that might help is...

1. the book idea.. didnt work for my son but it was cute lol I took a "black mail picture of him

2. having a race with your child to see who can go potty first. (only did this with my son when I was trying to train him at 2 years old)

3. Some mothers told me that removing diapers worked for them. I loved the pull ups lol (lol=laughing out loud)

4. When a child realizes that mommy and/or daddy go "poop" in the potty they will try it too.... give lots of praise and tell them that it is where you go potty and that you arent scared. Reassuring the child that mommy goes on the potty becasue you dont like stinky pants... this is what eventually worked for me.

Good Luck!!! But remember all children eventually learn to go potty on the potty. Another phrase of life learning.

I have a two year old boy who I'm desperately trying to train as well ... I guess all I can say is you are not alone! I really think that potty training my two year old is the most difficult processes I've had to endure as a single parent so far. It's really hard. Hang in there.

Thank you all for your wonderful advise. I have incorporated some from each of you into my battle strategy. So far it has been good. He HATES waering the underpants but is gradually getting used to it.....once again, thanks!

It will take time for him to get use to the undies because they feel so different than the diapers, but he will love them when he gets use to them. Potty training will take time, but you will get it figured out and win the war!!!

Even little boys like to have their egos stroked. Make sure you emphasize what a big strong little man he is being!

Blindsky 75

LOL!!!!

As an early childhood educator and a mother of one, who also lives with a 4 year old and 3 year old. Don't force him to go poop in the potty. If you make it a power struggle you will find that he will start regressing and not using the potty at all. My advise to you is big kid underware during the day and pull ups at night. Yes get rid of diapers all the way. Get the new pull ups with the wet strip. If he feels like he has the control then he will eventually start going on the potty. My brother was this way up until just recently and he still has a problem sometimes going poop on the potty and he turned 3 in may. I found books that talk about pottying especially pooping help. Even try ask him why he won't poop on the potty. You may find out his fears and be able to explain to him that his fears are normal but that nothing bad will happen. Hope this helps. please feel free to PM me if you would like anymore help.

Shannon