Potty Training!?

[SarahD8709]

My son (who will turn 2 in December) has recently started hiding whenever he has to go poo. If I ask him if he has gone, he will say "no." He seems reluctant to have his diaper changed afterwards, and I am seriously concerned that for some reason, he is developing a literal Anal Retentive Disorder. I have a potty for him in the bathroom already, sometimes he will sit on it for a while and "go potty," but there are never any results when he does so. Does anybody know what this means? How do I begin potty training? Help!!

[allmymarbles]

For what it is worth, this is how I approached potty training. When my first child, a girl, reached the age of 18 months, I bought a potty chair for her. Then I took her into the bathroom with me and used the toilet. I told her that this what what ladies did. Then I had her sit on her potty so that she understood. I removed her panties from that day forward, and whenever I went into a different room (she always followed me) I brought her chair with me. She used it from day one. I never complimented her or made reference to it. It was simply what ladies did.

I think the important thing is not to make a great fuss about it. And certainly not to reward or punish. I note that boys are not really ready until they are about two years old. At least that was my experience. My other girls, like the oldest, were ready at about 18 months. It helps to remove their underpants. They have little control and can't wait.

[SarahD8709]

Annie,

Thanks so much!! I will take your advice :)

[AnnieBrooke]

Get one or two good books from the library on the subject of potty training.  Leave him alone for now about whether he is hiding when he wants to poop -- that is VERY common ... a friend's son always stood behind the sofa, and my son had a big toy school bus that he would go stand in when he felt the urge.  This was at least a year before he showed an interest in actually pooping in the toilet.  Don't rush him, he has a lot of readiness milestones on the path to potty training, and sorta knowing when he feels it, is just one of them.  Let him noodle around with the potty chair but don't press him on any of it.