My son is sometimes ok with sitting on the potty for a toy or bubbles. But, there are times he won’t even go into the bathroom or refuses. He’s wearing underwear and waterproof undies so I’m hopeful he can start to tell there’s wetness. But even with taking him to try we’ve not been successful with peeing in the potty granted I’ve been taking him three times in an hour and he’ll be dry then he’ll have a little bit when I check him and we’ll talk about wetness and feeling pee and pee pee goes in the potty. Any suggestions? How about when he refuses to go into the bathroom?
Answer:
Thank you for your question! It sounds like whatever toy(s) and/or bubbles you are using currently are not motivating enough for your son to sit on the potty. If sometimes they don't even get him inside the bathroom then it is time to find a new reinforcer! Think of some of his favorite things. Is there something that you can save that he will only earn when he goes to the bathroom? I like to isolate reinforcers so that they are only being used for toilet training. It makes them more motivating if the only time he earns something really special is when he is in the bathroom! So think about finding something more preferred than whatever toy and bubbles you are using right now.
Also, make sure being in the bathroom is fun so that he wants to go in there! When I am toilet training a client, it is a party in the bathroom every time! We sing songs, read books, play with toys, blow bubbles, whatever is motivating for them so if you are not currently having a bathroom party, now is the time!
Finally, if you are taking your son to the bathroom three times in an hour and he is dry, it is time to increase the time in between sitting! If he is going every 20 minutes right now, let's try every 25 minutes or even every 30 minutes if you think he is ready for that! His refusal to go in the bathroom might just be because he doesn't have to go!
Start with these recommendations and let us know how it goes! Give it a week or two and then check in and keep us updated. Good luck!
Thank you for your question! It sounds like whatever toy(s) and/or bubbles you are using currently are not motivating enough for your son to sit on the potty. If sometimes they don’t even get him inside the bathroom then it is time to find a new reinforcer! Think of some of his favorite things. Is there something that you can save that he will only earn when he goes to the bathroom? I like to isolate reinforcers so that they are only being used for toilet training. It makes them more motivating if the only time he earns something really special is when he is in the bathroom! So think about finding something more preferred than whatever toy and bubbles you are using right now.
Also, make sure being in the bathroom is fun so that he wants to go in there! When I am toilet training a client, it is a party in the bathroom every time! We sing songs, read books, play with toys, blow bubbles, whatever is motivating for them so if you are not currently having a bathroom party, now is the time!
Finally, if you are taking your son to the bathroom three times in an hour and he is dry, it is time to increase the time in between sitting! If he is going every 20 minutes right now, let’s try every 25 minutes or even every 30 minutes if you think he is ready for that! His refusal to go in the bathroom might just be because he doesn’t have to go!
Start with these recommendations and let us know how it goes! Give it a week or two and then check in and keep us updated. Good luck!