Potty Training is for the Birds

To whom it may concern:

It’s kind of  embarrassing to admit that our almost 3 and a  half year old is STILL wearing diapers. Size 4 diapers – one more size and that’s it – it’s the biggest I’ve seen.  When he was two and other kids were starting to go potty on “the big boy potty”, I said, “It’s no big deal, when he’s ready, he’ll let us know. Boys take longer.”  At 2 1/2 he was struggling with his speech delay and I thought, “We’ll wait until we get through this hurdle.”  When he turned 3, I said, “It’s not like he’s going to go to kindergarten without being potty trained…”  I’m starting to wonder if this may happen.

We have been taking off his diaper when he gets home from daycare at night, and letting him wear “big boy pants” (aka: kid’s underwear).  Finally the other day, when he was resisting putting on underwear (“NO! Put biper (diaper) back ON!”) I told him that Diego called and told him diapers were for babies and big boys don’t wear them.  I got this idea from my friend Laci who told her daughter that Dora called and told her to throw all the diapers away when she was being potty trained.  He seemed to understand this concept.  (For those without small kids – turn on Nickelodeon to see who Diego and Dora are.)

So this weekend we decided to go the whole weekend diaper-free except nap time and bedtime (picture disaster).  There was two accidents on Saturday, and many more today.  He actually peed so much it made a  puddle on the floor – yuck! Who knew a three year old could pee enough to soak through underwear, pants, run down his leg and make a puddle.  Now, mind you, during this whole process, we were taking him to the potty about every hour. Sometimes it was successful – yeah! cheer! Other times he would stand there and say, “It’s not working!” then pee himself 5 minutes later.  The worst time was when he told us he had to go and Chris brought him to the bathroom where he proceeded to play around with cups, toothbrushes, etc. until he peed himself right there in the bathroom. Again, a puddle on the bathroom floor. Before this last episode we had had him to the potty three unsuccessful times within one hour. AHHHHH! We finally conceded and stuck him in a diaper for the remainder of the evening before bedtime. Pretty glad we did this, ‘cuz he pooped shortly after.

I’m not sure why Wyatt is so stubborn about the potty training. I know as a baby/young toddler, he could’ve cared less if his diaper was wet or soiled. He’d run around with poop in his diaper all day if you’d let him.  I used to think it was a boy thing, I’m starting to wonder if it’s a Wyatt thing.  In his defense, Wyatt is a very intelligent kid, and he only wants to do things on his terms, no one else’s.  Maybe he’ll soon just decide that he wants this too? (Think positive, think positive.)  We’ve tried sticker charts, rewards for using the toilet, and now the diaper free house. None seem to be working for us.  Our main problem is he won’t tell us he has to go.  Only after he’s peed (in diaper or underwear) does he say anything. Will I have to keep asking him, “Do you have to go potty?” every 15 minutes for the rest of his life? Sure seems this way at the moment. (Disturbing thought – picture me calling him in his dorm room at college, “Do you have to go potty dear? Are you sure?”)

If anyone has any other potty suggestions please feel free to comment!!!

Sincerely,

Two frustrated parents sick of cleaning up peed-in-pants

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