The last day that he went on it, he went four times, really good. They were all “#1’s” and, sadly, the last three times out of the four, he positioned himself wrong and got most of it on my floor. In the living room (wood floor, so easily cleaned when done right away) and then in the bathroom (linoleum or something). I didn’t make it out to be a big deal, but he cried and cried and cried each time, even though I didn’t get mad or yell at him or punish him and instead kept telling him “it’s okay, we’ll just get a rag and clean it,” etc. By nature, he’s always been a pretty clean child and certain messes really upset him. Like the time he got stung by a wasp recently, he was already freaking out because he had dirt and spiderwebs all over his hands. So the peeing on the floor really upset him and I think that now he remembers that and so wants nothing to do with the potty because he thinks that he will make a mistake every time.

The question is… what do we do about it? Besides being a clean natured child, he also has a great memory for things, and in fact, I’m sure this is the reason this is happening - the other day he said something to me about going “pee-pee water” on the floor. (He still thinks it’s water.

Hmmm…

V xx

I don’t want him to grow up!!! lol

Use reverse psychology. Tell him he can’t go to the bathroom because you’re cleaning it or you’re going to clean it or that you’re using it.

Don’t pressure him. Don’t ever get angry or frustrated and let him see it. Ever.

He’s got to go when he wants. It’s the only way he’ll learn. Forcing anything only makes a child not listen.

Please trust me on this one. He doesn’t want to hear about it. He doesn’t want you to draw attention to it. He definitely doesn’t want pull ups.

Rewards are a good idea, but never after he kid messes up.

Seriously, good luck.

What we are doing right now is big boy underwear at all times, expect night, and a sticker on the chart each time he uses the big potty. Once he fills his chart, usually a few weeks to a months work with smaller rewards in between, he gets a prize. A car, a book, some candy. Whatever works. It’s not working any miracles, but he’s been doing pretty good staying dry. We have a few accidents, but I’ll take a few accidents over changing diapers every few hours.

If it is too much of a power struggle, maybe back off a little bit. We’ve found this much with Jonathan. The harder we push, the harder he rights. So we backed off for a while. I know how frustrating it is, BELIEVE me, but it might be something you have to try.

With my brother (he’s a year and a half older than his sister), it was “ooh, Abby’s going to learn to do it before you are.” That was all he needed.

With the sister, she was afraid of the potty. She thought she was going to get flushed. We got her one of those potty seats that sits on top, and had a bag of M&M’s around, for one or two when she went, and that kind of thing seems to work.

But I’d have to agree with Sarangeti. You just have to let it become a necessity.