Springtime is coming in Pennsylvania which means Easter egg hunts, kite flying, sandbox playing and general outdoor-ness for us. And hopefully success with potty time this year. But potty training, he’s not ready yet.
My screaming half-naked toddler told me to “put the yucky diaper back on!!!!!!”.
What? Why isn’t my three-year-old potty trained? Because he’s not ready yet. I’ve tried.
Because he throws a fit for the dirty diaper when it goes in the trash. Which means to me that he’s not ready yet.
Is your three-year-old potty trained yet?
He shows lots of the signs: like having a dry diaper for more than 2 hours at a time, randomly taking his pants off or loudly announcing “I’m pooping!”. He even knows that the poopy diaper is yucky. And yet not ready.
I don’t know how much longer it will be. I’m not sure if I’m doing something wrong. He just doesn’t want to go potty yet.
He does pretend which is encouraging. He’ll even take his pants off and diaper and make grunting noises.
I feel like the warmer it gets outside the better the chances are. We had some false starts. No accidents yet.
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Boy Potty Training
The funny thing is that boys tend to lag behind girls on this development trait. I checked out “What to Expect the Toddler Years” from the library just this week. Chapter 19 has a ton of dos and don’ts. One of the best things I saw was at the beginning of the chapter. “Only your child can tell you… when he or she has attained that magical combination of ability and desire readiness to toileting.”
If you want to learn different ways to get started there’s so much out there on potty training. The stats on boys and potty training seem to be 3 months behind girls. And boys tend to poop first before mastering peeing.
The ideal age seems to be between 2-4. However, it’s not uncommon for younger than that. According to “What to Expect Toddler Years,” author Heidi Murkoff.
Now, most of the advice says encourage don’t punish when your toddler tries and fails. The more patience the better.
Always have a plan and place that is safe to try and easy to clean up.
Finally, I’ve read plenty of articles on the weekend to potty training and all I can say is bravo Mamma. Seriously. You should teach a class on it. And get a gold medal for amazing parenting skills.
Each toddler is different and this is just another life skill they have to work at. Remembering how much work it was to walk is a good way to look at it. Time and patience.
He’s Not Ready Yet
For now, I’m going to let Aiden make up his own mind. He’ll eventually not want to wear a dirty diaper. Hopefully soon.
More on potty training from the experts:
Good luck Mammas. Like, share and subscribe.
P.S. Later in March:
Kindness with Kittens Toddler Edition
13 Cheap Spring Fun for Toddlers
Easter baskets for the active toddler
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My oldest did not potty train until 3 years 3 months. My second just potty trained at 3 years 8 months. Each kid is different.
Oh no! I really do think that each child is ready when they are ready, if that makes sense. I am a boy mom, too, and not quite there yet – but I know its going to be a tough process. As you said, I hear boys are behind girls too for whatever reason. Your boy is so cute!
Hardest activity for a mom to potty train their kids. My elder daughter was trained at the age of 2.8 years but my younger daughter still not getting trained as she is now 2.5 years. She is not ready to do so. I am also waiting that when she gets ready for it.
Yes, he will definitely be ready in his own time, all we must do as mamas are to encourage our toddlers continuously. You’re right he won’t want to stay in a dirty diaper forever.