I am in need of advice and guidance for pottyt training son Augustin.
We have been potty training Augustin for few year now without success.
We take Augustin to the bathroom.
On our way there we do let him know he is going to go potty.
Usually, Augustin has had plenty of liquid and does need to go.
While Augustin is sitting on the potty, we have tried different things to get him to go such as singing songs, reading books, dancing, listening to music, watch his tablet. We do have the faucets running to stimulate Augustin’s need to pee (hasn’t been successful but it made sense to)
Augustin is full and does need to pee.
Augustin continues to sit on the potty.
We know that by this time Augustin does probably need to pee.
At times as long as 30 minutes.
Nothing, no pee in potty!
We put the pullup on and immediately Augustin pees into the pullup.
Augustin was holding to pee
nto the pull-up.
This happens often.
How do we transfer the:
‘It’s okay, it’s alright to pee in the potty?
It seems he has convinced himself that pee should only go into the pullups.
Augustin haa been able to sit on the potty and we have talked to him, sang to him, and read books to him. We had hoped our positive interaction would have Augustin go potty. But we see the click or the connection for Augustin to pee in the potty and not wait to have his pull up put on, has not been made yet. We do believe, the connection for Augustin to pee in the potty will be made, we just don’t know how to make that connection and we are reaching out.
We need advice and guidance on Augustin peeing into the potty.
Thank you
Jelena Dewitt
Answer:
You're not alone in this! Many parents run into this exact challenge where their child holds it until the pull-up goes back on. The good news? This means Augustin has bladder control – he just has a strong learned association that pee belongs in a pull-up. Right now, he isn’t struggling with the mechanics of going, but rather the belief that he must wait for the pull-up. This is a behavioral issue, not a physical one, and we can absolutely work through it!
Here’s what I recommend:
Ditch the Pull-Ups Completely (At Least During Wake Hours)
Every time you put the pull-up back on and he pees immediately, it reinforces the idea that it's the only place he should go.
If he’s holding it for long periods, it’s time to go cold turkey during the day. Switch to underwear only so that he no longer gets the comfort of the pull-up.
Be prepared for accidents—this is part of the process of breaking that pull-up association.
Schedule, But Watch for Natural Cues
Keep taking him at predictable times, especially after meals and drinks.
Give minimal interaction on the potty (no music, tablets, etc.), so he associates it with one job: peeing.
If he doesn’t go within 2–3 minutes, take him off, no reaction, and try again in 10–15 minutes.
Use a Strong Reinforcer
The reward for peeing in the potty must be something highly motivating and ONLY available for successful potty trips.
If he has a favorite snack, toy, or activity, make it exclusive: "You get this only when you pee in the potty."
Do Not Go Back to Pull-Ups for Any Reason
If he has an accident, stay neutral and clean it up without giving a lot of attention.
Keep reinforcing that pee goes in the potty, but never let him pee in the pull-up again, even for naps if possible.
Come to the Live Calls for Help
I go deep into my A to Z potty training process in the Potty Power Course inside the Study Vault.
Come to the live coaching calls, and we can troubleshoot in real-time to tweak the plan based on how Augustin is responding.
This will take consistency, but I promise the connection will click. The key is to remove the option of peeing in the pull-up and make the potty his only choice. You’re on the right track, and I know you’ve got this!
Let me know how it goes!
– Michelle
You’re not alone in this! Many parents run into this exact challenge where their child holds it until the pull-up goes back on. The good news? This means Augustin has bladder control – he just has a strong learned association that pee belongs in a pull-up. Right now, he isn’t struggling with the mechanics of going, but rather the belief that he must wait for the pull-up. This is a behavioral issue, not a physical one, and we can absolutely work through it!
Here’s what I recommend:
Ditch the Pull-Ups Completely (At Least During Wake Hours)
Every time you put the pull-up back on and he pees immediately, it reinforces the idea that it’s the only place he should go.
If he’s holding it for long periods, it’s time to go cold turkey during the day. Switch to underwear only so that he no longer gets the comfort of the pull-up.
Be prepared for accidents—this is part of the process of breaking that pull-up association.
Schedule, But Watch for Natural Cues
Keep taking him at predictable times, especially after meals and drinks.
Give minimal interaction on the potty (no music, tablets, etc.), so he associates it with one job: peeing.
If he doesn’t go within 2–3 minutes, take him off, no reaction, and try again in 10–15 minutes.
Use a Strong Reinforcer
The reward for peeing in the potty must be something highly motivating and ONLY available for successful potty trips.
If he has a favorite snack, toy, or activity, make it exclusive: “You get this only when you pee in the potty.”
Do Not Go Back to Pull-Ups for Any Reason
If he has an accident, stay neutral and clean it up without giving a lot of attention.
Keep reinforcing that pee goes in the potty, but never let him pee in the pull-up again, even for naps if possible.
Come to the Live Calls for Help
I go deep into my A to Z potty training process in the Potty Power Course inside the Study Vault.
Come to the live coaching calls, and we can troubleshoot in real-time to tweak the plan based on how Augustin is responding.
This will take consistency, but I promise the connection will click. The key is to remove the option of peeing in the pull-up and make the potty his only choice. You’re on the right track, and I know you’ve got this!
Let me know how it goes!
– Michelle