Almost 3 and having Potty Problems

[camille1979]

My son will be 4 in Feb 2008.  He is very intelligent, articulate, and creative.  He is not a behavior problem, and is very laid back.  With that said, he is still having trouble w/ going to the potty.  We started potty training at about 2 and he loved it.  Went by himself w/in a few months, having accidents about 2 times a week or so.  At 2 1/2 his sister was born.  He adjusted well, and didn't seem very jealous.  He did start to have more and more accidents (pee & poop).  Now, at almost 4 years old.  He stays clean and dry from the time he wakes up until he gets home at noon from 1/2 day preschool.  Then, he plays etc.  and won't go to the bathroom.  He will just pee in his pants and keep on like it's nothing.  If I suggest he take a bathroom break, he says "no I don't need to", even though I know he does.  If I make him go, he cries.  He'd rather pee on himself and wear wet clothes than go to the potty.

I've tried a reward system.  I've tried time out when he has an accident, taking away certain toys etc.  NOTHING works.  What can I do???????   I even had him enrolled in a very nice private school for 1/2 day preK, but he kept having accidents and we had to pull him out.  Please help!

[Taisha]

Maybe you should try making it a game.  In the afternoon you say he likes to play and avoids going to the restroom. My first thought is to put cheerios in the toilet and let him aim to sink them. Maybe he will associate this as part of playtime and actually look forward to going to the restroom. However, make sure he knows not to put anything in the toilet himself.  It's creative, but it just might work.  Good luck