When you enter a battle of wills with a toddler - you're going to lose. It's one of nature's laws.

He has accidents because he's a kid and because he doesn't want to interrupt the fascinating play he's in to hit the pot. How much attention does he get (including negative) when he "messes up"?

If you are certain there is no physical reason for the accidents, make him deal with it himself. I did that with one of mine years ago (it was advice from a woman who had "been there, done that").

No fuss from mom after an accident, just the comment that you know he's uncomfortable because he forgot to use the potty like a big boy - then send him to his room to change his own clothes and clean his own mess. No attention (praise or lecture) after he cleans up - as it was a natural consequence of his own action.

I was ready to try anything - and blew me away when the third accident my stubborn son had after I started making him responsible (and ignored him after he did it) was the last one he ever had. The first time I made him handle it the "I can't get these pants off", tears and self pity were hard to ignore. He was told to change whenever he wanted to - but he had to stay in his room until it was done. (The first time, as I recall, took over an hour of crying for help, playing in his room (in his messy pants) and finally giving up and doing what had to be done.)

It's worth a shot. This is one of those things you DON"T miss when it's over.

Simple fact is that we don't see kids wearing diapers start kindergarten - he WILL eventually do what he needs to do.

EDIT: It's often the youngest that is most stubborn - hve always wondered why that is.

kay

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Shay,

I have a 14 month old little guy...we're not to that stage yet, but I'm worried! My father said I was trained at 18 months - I hope my toddler is as easy as I was

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My aunts first were twin boys. She was just getting them to use the potty on their own. He was at our house and didn't put the lid up right and it came smacking down on his little pee-pee. LOL - he screamed like no tomorrow and cried and sniffled for the better part of an hour. Can't say I blamed him, it was sooooo swollen and bruised! It took her a whole half year longer to get him trained than the other one. She said he hated wet pants but would wet them or would actually hide and potty somewhere else to not have to go back to the big white monster that bites. She'd find little wet spots in closets, etc. What a headache. LOL.

I don't have any kids, but I have a friend who swears that if you toss some cheerios in the toilet and tell the little guy to aim for them, potty training is a piece of cake.

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LOL. Well, I am not a father as of yet but I can fathom how arduous it must be to try to train your child when he or she is still unable to follow simple commands, lessons, and whatnot. I'm sure that he will eventually follow the routine of going to the toilet whenever he needs to release bodily fluids, so I would not get too perturbed if I were you.

If my memory serves me right. There is a product out there called toilet target for toddlers. It's been awhile. Not sure. You get rewards for #1 and bonus points for #2. I'm laughing as I conger up this narrative.

I have a 3 year old and apart from the odd accidents he is fine with Wee, but the trouble we are having getting him not to do poo's in his pants.

It is very frustrating, i spend all my time asking him if he wants to go to the toilet and yet he still has accidents.