My son is 3 1/2 and does not want to use the potty at home. He will do just fine at daycare, but wants pull ups on as soon as he gets home. I have tried everything: bribes, cheerios game in toilet, etc. Does anyone have any ideas? I know he will do it in his own time, but if there is something I could do to "speed it up", I would.

OH yes I have one big hint ... its no secret I think pull ups are evil!!!!!!

My experiences working with children .... the ones who wore pull ups took longer to train ...and were more stubborn about going


I would put t he pull ups away ... if you feel you need something at night or during naps get CHEAP cardboard diapers - why? they are uncomfortable and stiff and nobody wants that on them!

When he comes home do not give him the option to choose pull ups .. find out what schedule daycare has him on - every 2 hours to the potty ..find out when the last time he went was and follow through ...

Just say its time we go .and proced fwd. if he fights then come back to it when he cools off .......... and if he is fighting what is different about your bathroom than daycare? Is he afraid of the big toilet ? many children are.. Toilet rings have the kind with handles on them sometimes that makes a child feel more secure.

My best advice for you is be ready to do lots of wash ... if he messes have him help you clean it up ... eventually he will get the hint that this is not ok that we are big and big kids go to the potty ...

Just have him stay in his underwear ..#1 he wets them he walks them to the machine puts them in.. if he puddles the floor he gets paper towels and helps with the clean up.

Postive always talk positive about how well he is doing ..never NEVER say in front of him .. he just wont do it for me .. he wont potty train for me he will only do for daycare - these are like musical ears for a child and he will play up to your expectations!


some other ideas

Sticker charts - these can work in stages .. what is the real issue getting him to sit? going?
well if its getting him in to sit then apply stickers only when he goes in and sits ...
Eventually moving the stickers up to only when he produces something --- but make sure first you have the sitting down pat
Once we got the stickers down ..oh I sit I get a sticker (ya might even put a sticker chart up for you .. each time u go potty put a sticker on ..let him see MOMMYS CHART) say your doing this for about a month (IT takes 30 days to form a habbit)
start a reward system ..not NOT a brive but a reward .. 3 pottys in a week on the potty .. Special treat out of the prize bag ($1 stores have some cute little trinkety things kids love) .. then the next week after getting a prize make it 5 pottys in the week ..etc ... once you start giving out prizes more and more you will want to go to the I stayed dry type chart .. sticker for the day ... and once he gets 5 in a week he gets a prize ..
then move it to the night as well I stayed dry day and night ... sometimes it dont have to go this far!


does he like hour glasses? timers? try setting the timer for 3 minutes and a nice book that he will enjoy .. I prefer coloring books like the fun pads ..they are cheap and can be tossed .....ohh shhh I give the kids my hubby's magazines as well! He brings home those auto traders that ya can pick up for free ..the boys love them!!

Great tips Deborah!
I think pull-ups are no more than a golified diaper, that and a sippy cup, a glorified bottle!

Thank you so much for the suggestions! I knew you'd have some ideas. I am going to hide the pull ups and start trying your suggestions right away. I'll keep you posted.

Glad we could help!!

If you need more support just check back in .. am sure with a toddler around you will have more questions