Toilet Training Refusal
Some children refuse to be toilet trained. They deliberately wet themselves, soil themselves or try to hold back their bowel movements. Many of them refuse to sit on the toilet. Any child who is over 2 years of age and has failed basic toilet training can be assumed to be resistant.
If your child knows how to locate the bathroom, pull down his pants, and sit on the potty chair, he doesn't need any more training. But here are some things you can do to help:
- First: Transfer all responsibility to your child. Tell him that it is his pee and poop. It is up to him to figure things out.
- Second: Stop all reminders about using the toilet and practice runs. Reminders make many children do the opposite. Let your child decide when he needs to go.
- Third: Your only job in all of this is to remind him to change, if you notice his clothes to be wet or soiled.
- Finally and Most Importantly: Offer big incentives for putting BMs or urine into the toilet. Candy can turn around a stubborn child when nothing else will work. Err on the side of giving him too much candy, not too little. Start with 10 M&Ms. Other good incentives are DVDs.
In summary, let your child do it his way, but use incentives to keep him on target. If you have any questions about toilet-training, consult your healthcare provider.
Disclaimer: This information is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice. It is provided for educational purposes only. You assume full responsibility for how you choose to use this information.
Author and Senior Reviewer: Barton D. Schmitt, M.D. FAAP
Last Review: 9/1/2009
Last Revised: 10/9/2009 10:54:42 AM
Copyright 1994-2009 Barton Schmitt, M.D. Parent Advice Messages.
