i have a 3 1/2 year old that i just can't seem to potty train.

I have found,most will pee train by 21/2 if in cloth diapers,and poop train within a couple more weeks for the same reason. All children are different and what works on one,may not on others. I have been babysitting for over 40 years and will not allow disposables in my house. I have seldom had children over 3 not trained,but there have been some. And as for none going to school in diapers,I personally know a few that have gone to collage in them for medical reasons and two just because they wanted to so as not to miss anything. Blessed Be.

I notice that you wrote leave him in dirty diaper for long time. With both my children I quit using diapers. At night I would use a pull up but any other time, even if we went somewhere. They were underwear or panties. And like if you go to Wal-mart take him and make yourself go pee. They do make a Peter Potty but now my son did take longer to potty train than my daughter. He started pooping in the toilet at about 15 months but would not pee in it. He finally started going. Biggest thing is do NOT spank them if they don't go in the potty. I know it is frustrating but hang in there.

Remove the pressure from yourself and him. It will happen eventually. Don't let it be a big part of his whole day. Give up on it a little bit. He might just decide to start doing it on his own in order to get your attention back..... and if that is the case, give it to him tenfold. Do the potty dance and be so proud of him, etc, etc.

I have the same problem and just started another discussion about it to get more responses. My son will be 4 this summer and while he is almost potty trained during the day for pee he will not poop in the potty for anything. The pee training worked well when we rewarded him with M&Ms but the poop didn't. He will go hide, poop in his pants and then come ask me to change him. I feel embarassed for him because most of his friends are already potty trained and I also feel bad that I can't seem to do it like everyone else. I guess it will happen because no children go to school in diapers.

My son is 32 months and is finally starting to "get it" about going to the potty to pee. My mom was appalled at first that he wasnt trained by 2...shes from the old mindset that you train the kids on your schedule and not the childs...anyway, I told her from the beginning that I was going to let Jonny set the pace for pottytraining. My son is very big for his age too...hes 45 pounds and 42 inches tall...and has been in size 6 diapers and 4t5t Pullups for a while...believe me, ive been getting a bit nervous about the pullups and diapers fitting lol. One day last week he started peeing every time I put him on the potty, and hes done so every time, even at the store! Every hour on the hour, sometimes every 30 min if hes been drinking alot. I hope to have him at least daytime pee trained by his birthday in August. I dont want to rush him but im DEFINATELY encouraging lol My point is, dont worry. Your child will let you know when hes ready. there are more 4 year olds out there not potty trained than you think.

here are some tips that might help. 1) when he wake up in the morning let him go to the bathroom with you or nanny and let him sit on the toilet bowl for 10-15 minutes everyday even he will not move his bowel. the purpose of this is you are trying to train him routinely daily to go the bathroom to move his bowel. (if you will notice also,i did not mention potty, because it will only add another training from the potty to the bathroom, instead of straight directly to the bathroom) 2)yes reward and punishment will still do, but not to the point that the kid will feel embarassed. 3)its not good to leave him in dirty diaper for a long time because that will add another burden, he might get an infection with his urethra because of longer soiling. 4)it takes a lot of patience. ask your kid that there might be something wrong....he might be afraid of something else. is he scary of the potty?

My daughter-in-law is having the same problem she has tried just about everything. I read a post on here earlier this week from a woman who took her child to the dr to see why there child wouldnt potty train,He told her not to worry about it as long as they were under five years old, but im sure we all dont want to wait that long. to some it comes naturally some it dosnt.patience is about all you have left to try

My middle son was the same way. He out and out and refused to go potty. I have learned that they will do it when they are ready. Reading books about kids going potty, or videos or DVD's helps too. When they see other kids do things it makes them want to do it too. My kids loved the Once Upon A Potty DVD. Elmo's Potty time is also very cute. Also make sure to praise any attempt or any progress no matter how small, but don't push, some kids will avoid doing it just to spite the parents for pressuring them. Don't worry it will happen when he/she is ready, Best of luck!