Please, God, help me!!!

[Gwendolyn]

So James turned three at the end of August. I have been working on sitting on the potty since July. Just as he was getting good at it (sitting, no pee or poop) we moved...one of the big-deal-don't-potty-train-while-doing things. I have done sticker charts, M&Ms, bribery, and cold turkey (we did a lot of laundry). I am feeling crazy, because everyone says that he will do it when he is ready, but he is the only kid in his class still in diapers! I am usually pretty zen about most things, but I feel like I am letting him down. This morning he walked right from the bathroom to the living room and peed. I need to commiserate. I need the voice of experience. What am I missing?!?

[Meenah]

In total aggreement with tara!!

[Phoebe]

As frustrating as it is, it will happen. Our 3 yo just became potty trained (still wearing pull-ups at night) and I kept wondering how the heck it was going to happen with a newborn around and school schedules. She finally decided she wanted to wear underwear and started using the potty on her terms. The same thing happened with our older daughter, as well. You are not alone!

Tara is right. I cannot be forced. At this point in the winter, I wouldn't even try ...

I suggest waiting until spring, unless he expresses interest before then. Once it's warmer - go sans ANYTHING - diapers, pants, pullups (which are evil IMO), and eventually he'll get it.

[Gwendolyn]

Thanks...I can't believe how insecure this makes me feel. I know that is all me and has nothing to do with him, but I can't help but worry that I am am slacking if we are not working on it. Hearing that we are not the only ones is good. I will just relax...he'll get it...right? (I say trying to convince myself)

I would imagine the more children you have (you in the generic sense) the more you relax about developmental expectations. The greatest thing about having twins is watching them carve their niche into the world on their own terms. Ryan was potty trained on his 2nd birthday in under 45 minutes. Kyle, not so much. They'll be 3 in February, and I got panicky about a month ago. Kyle was miraculously peeing in the toilet- yea! but then I realized he had also 'dumped' all over the floor at the same time. Um-m-m... Alarm bells went off in my head. But wouldn't you know it, from that moment on, he has used the toilet 100% of the time. Something suddenly just 'clicked' in his head and he was ready to get toilet trained. Don't stress, it'll happen.

Jodi

... but I feel like I am letting him down. This morning he walked right from the bathroom to the living room and peed...

I could have written this exact thing. Colton will be four in April....he has not one interest in the toilet. But he doesn't care about whizzing in his bedroom/living room/kitchen...lots of laundry.
I totally feel your pain and completely comisserate with you. I have given in to the fact that hopefully he will be trained by the time he graduates high school. At this point, he is the only one in his class that is still wearing diapers too.

[Michele]

I think my sister was almost 5 when she was potty trained...and she wet the bed at night for a long time....but she's fine now! And she didn't have any probs socially in school....she was always v popular with classmates and teachers!