Hello!

My 4 and a half year old son is still not toilet trained- its been a real headache. I’ve tried potty’s, sitting him on the toilet but this has resulted in panic attacks. Does any one have any suggestions?


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  • Let them come to the toilet with you, don’t make a big deal about it


  • Try decorating toilet with streamers. Contact dinosaur footprints from green card to floor, for him to follow to toilet room.


  • Try and be firm


  • keep trying the potty but when he goes you go also but you on the reg toilet and he can see there is no harm. you could also get a step for the toilet high enough that his feet are still touching it and also the smaller toilet seat that fits on the toilet


  • just gonna need to be firm dont give in so easy


  • there are some good comments here


  • Just be persistent with him and he will do it in his own time. If you are really concerned take him to your gp and there might be something underlying.


  • Get him to go when his dad goes, this should help ease his fears


  • Make it fun instead of quick hurry pressure. Add coloured ping pong balls to toilet and tell him to aim at them. Its a game and training at the same time. Even get daddy to show how to do it


  • My son has just turned four and been toilet trained for a year – even at night – all except a poo. A poo needs a nappy and nothing we say or do is changing it. Making a big deal about it has only made him embarrassed and ashamed. As hard as it is I am trying to bite my tongue and let him figure it out. I feel your anxiety – good luck.


  • Buy a toilet training seat…one like this:

    http://betterbabyshop.com.au/shop/bambino-step-toilet-trainer/?gclid=CNe195DP5bwCFYZZpQod1SsAXg

    It makes the hole smaller so the child is less likely to feel that he will fall in. Also he has the step to be able to climb up himself and the handles to hold onto to help with security.


  • Huggies have charts with reward stickers to make the process more fun! You should try those :)


  • At 4 there shouldn’t be an issue, but if there is try the potty until he gets used to it


  • With boys I have been told that making a target for inside the toilet bowl helps them shoot their wee into the toilet and makes it fun at the same time


  • All kids are different but that being said you need to figure out why he is frightened. If you can solve or remove what is causing the fear the rest will come naturally.


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