potty train

The son of a very well known pop icon (mother) and a media mogul (father) is nearly 5 years old and still wearing Pull Ups.

The issue may have to do with the child’s stubbornness and refusal to potty train.

Sources say the nannies are instructed not to force the boy to potty train. They are to let him potty train on his own schedule.

But child experts such as Roger Knapp say “Toilet training can be defined as delayed if the child is over 3 years of age” and still in Pull Ups. Such children grow up to have severe emotional and psychological problems.

Public schools in America won’t accept children age 5 and up who stubbornly refuse to potty train or are stool holders. Such children are difficult for teachers to handle because of their emotional problems and the constant disruptions in the classroom.

Stool holding can lead to medical problems such as constipation and impaction which may require hospitalization due to intestinal obstruction.

So what can parents do when children refuse to potty train or are stool holders?

Dr. Knapp says “Toilet training delays have several causes, both behavioral and organic. The cause is most often behavioral.”

Dr Knapp suggests using incentives to motivate your child to use the potty. The parent is locked in a power struggle with the child, and the child is winning. Incentives are rewards for good behaviors. Incentives gives the child a reason to abandon the struggle.

Rewards include toys, candy, costumes, a pet, whatever works to motivate your child to stop refusing.

Never withhold “social reinforcers” such as hugs and kisses, or parent-child activities, such as going to the zoo, the park, or a movie theater.

Other tips include:

  • Stop all reminders about using the toilet (let the child decide when to use the potty)
  • Avoid “practice runs” to the potty or toilet
  • Remove diapers and Pull Ups and let the child go bare bottom in the house
  • Give stars for using the toilet
  • Make the potty chair convenient
  • Replace diapers or Pull Ups with underwear for older children
  • Don’t punish or criticize for accidents
  • Let child empty diaper contents into toilet
  • Turn off the TV until the child has a movement or pees in the potty
  • Have doctors prescribe laxatives for stool holders
  • Have your child evaluated by pediatricians for behavioral or medical problems


    • This has been your Medical Minute

    More Info On the Web

    Potty Training Refusals – Dr. Roger Knapp

    Hot to Potty Train Stubborn Toddlers – Wonderbaby.org

    Potty Training – Care.com

    Toilet Training Problems, Ages 3 to 6 – HealthDay

    Potty Training the Completely Stubborn, Unmotivated Kid – Alphamom.com

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