Refuses potty training

[Galaxywabbit]

My grandson will be 4 in june he was doing good for awhile got a video joshua uses the potty but then he just decided to start going in his pants again. He yelps when and fights when we have to change his pullups he is outgrowing them soon will need preschool. My son had no problems with potty training but this lil guy just does not seem to care he thought it was great when we said bye bye poop etc but now as I said its back to the wetting n poop in the pull up. This is driving me crazy any help is appreciated we tryed rewards etc all the usual stuff Helpppppppp !!!!!!!!

[specialmom]

Yes, I went the underwear route with a big t shirt on at times as naked on the furniture and running around the back yard -----  well, I just wanted a little protection and barrier.  LOL  
But (or butt) to each their own on that.  

[margypops]

I actually meant with big boy pants on  not pullups that enable the issue but naked may work aswell

[allmymarbles]

I just read margypops reply. She reminds me that this is what I did when I potty trained my four. I took off their diapers and left them with naked bottoms. I did this so that they could use the potty more easily because the little ones can't wait. I never used reward or punishment, but simply told them that this is what big girls and boys did.

So I amend what I said above. Leave his bottom naked.

[allmymarbles]

I would not get involved in reward or punishment. Both give him the means to control you, which is what he is doing now. So let him filthy himself up. Ignore him or show a disinterested disgust. Obviously he can't go visiting or go outside to  play with his friends with dirty pants. Get it? But don't make a fuss. Just be matter of fact.

[specialmom]

Ha.  Well, I had this issue with my second son.  He kept saying "I'm the baby" and just had no interest in the whole thing.  I backed off and stopped with the power struggle.  They win that one.  :>(  

I instead put no pressure on it and then asked him "would you PLEASE just get potty trained??"  And he looked at me and said "okay".  And was potty trained day and night from that day foward.  

all kids get it and the less upset you act about it, the sooner it will happen.

I went to the store with my son and had him pick out really cool underwear. Oh the thought of ruining those was terrible to him.  And if he went in them and it was number 2---  I made a show of throwing it out.  So sad . . .  
I did also use pull ups at that time because I found it was part of the 'backing off' stage.  

If you go to underwear only and are trying to potty train--------  go for elastic waist band pants only.  Easier to get up and down in a hurry.  My kids were daunted by zippers, snaps and buttons.  Really through kindergarten, I sent them to school in pants they could pull up and down easily.

Your son may also be 'forgetting' or waiting too  long.  So either recognize the signs that he has to go or watch the clock and do a lot of reminders to catch it before it is 'go' time.

Good luck.  He'll get it and I tell you, a late potty trainer isn't a bad thing as they learn what to do so much sooner.  My other son that potty trained earlier had to go through a long 'process' that my late trainer didn't.  
The average age for boys to potty train in the US is a 3.5----  which means half of boys train at that age or LATER.  So don't feel alone.  
good luck

[margypops]

I have always found that removing diapers and pull ups altogether is the way to go,get him some big boy pants and remind him during the day to go use the bathroom,but let him be in control you'll get the odd accident but most times they dont like to feel wet , the pullups enable them to do it at will ..good luck he'll be dry and clean again soon .