Potty Training Tips for Stubborn Toddler Boys

Many factors can affect a child's ability to potty train -- from emotional readiness to fear of the bathroom. However, with a strong-willed child, the resistance is usually due to stubbornness rather than your timing or parental technique, says the Keep Kids Healthy website. Successfully potty training a stubborn toddler is not easy. Try different techniques in order to find the one that best suits your child.

  1. Fewer Reminders

    • One of the most common reasons for potty training failure is the power struggle that can develop between parent and child, says Dr. Molly O'Shea on the Birmingham Pediatrics Wellness Center website. A stubborn child often reacts to instructions by doing the opposite. To counteract this tendency, give your child an element of control, or at least make him feel like he has some control over the situation. His refusal to use the toilet or go on the potty may be due to being constantly reminded. Stop the reminders and give him some responsibility. Leave the potty in an accessible place and tell him that big boys use a potty. Once he realizes you are not nagging him, he may be more receptive to the idea. When he does use the potty successfully, praise him, make a fuss and tell him you are proud of your big boy.

    Underwear

    • Underwear may not seem very exciting to you, but to a little boy wearing underwear is a symbol of being a big boy. Having your toddler wear underpants gives two advantages; they can be an incentive and they will make him aware of any accidents he has. Because underwear is not absorbent the way diapers and pull-ups are, he will soon feel the discomfort of soiling himself. Make a big deal out of the transition from diapers to underwear. Encourage him to throw away his diapers and take him with you to choose underwear he likes. Underpants with his favorite cartoon or film character will add extra incentive. Praise him and tell him how proud you are that he is now in big boy underpants. Remind him gently that underwear is for boys who use the toilet or potty. After a couple of accidents in his underwear, he should open up to the idea of using the potty all by himself.

    Reward Charts

    • Reward charts give a child incentives as well as giving him a goal. Make a chart you can mark with a star each time he has a successful trip to the potty. At the end of the week, if he has a certain amount of stars he gets a treat. What you choose for a treat is very important, especially as giving a new toy every time will lose its appeal after a couple of weeks. Instead, think of time-limited treats such as an hour on his bicycle or an hour with arts and craft materials. Time-limited incentives are much more valuable to a child, according to Dr. Barton D. Schmitt for the RogerKnapp.com website. Your child's stubbornness can be a positive driving force behind his determination to succeed and win his treat.

    Avoid Punishment

    • Accidents and mistakes are all part of the process when potty training a child. While training a stubborn child may be even more stressful, it is important you do not punish your child when he does have an accident. His resistance will grow if he thinks he is going to make you angry, increasing the likelihood of accidents. Encourage him, and if he has an accident you can tell him there is always next time. Never force him or hold him down on the potty and never withhold physical affection as a form of punishment.

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