Potty Training - Help - What should I do?

Question from a parent:

Help. We have tried to potty train our 2 year old son, but are not having any luck.

I took him to the store and we purchashed a potty chair. We brought it home, explained to him what it was for and put in the bathroom. The only interest he has shown in it is as a toy. He plays with it - puts in on his head, but simply refuses to sit on it.

I am feeling frustrated and confused. I wish I knew how to potty train my son. Please help me.

Nancy

Our Response:

From just reading your email, it is hard for me to tell you exactly why she is doing,.  Have you talked to her pediatrician?  What did the doctors have to say?

The thought I had is that one of the child developmental stages that a toddler goes through is the desire to master one's own body and environment.  See the article on Potty Training Resistance - and more specifically the sections on Independence and Control Issues and Too much pressure to perform.

So, if you think that these may be some of the reasons; then I would suggest that you just back off for a little while - say a couple of weeks.  Let her feel the control over her body.  Don't show your frustration and see if that gives her the sense of control back and then makes her want to use the potty again.

I hope this helps.  Please let us know how things go.

Narmin