I'm Cindy sahm to my 2 boys Zach (7 mos) and Xander (27 mos).

We've been talking with Xander about using the potty for a year now. he showed interest very early so there was always a potty around the house and he got to decide when and if he wanted to sit on it. He has only once actually produced any results while being onthe potty and when he did I know it was a total accident. He is a master at sitting on the potty for a long time but not actually putting anything into the potty. Of course, when he gets off the potty he wants a diaper (grudgingly) and will promptly pee or poop in the diaper.

We have tried Pullups because he loves Buzz Lightyear. We've tried underwear with Blue's Clues on it that he's so excited to wear until I mention that he can't pee or poop in them. Should I just force him to wear underwear and wet himself? We've tried that before and it didn't help, but that was 3 months ago... Can you sense my frustration? We've tried Smarties as bribes. We've tried offering the opportunity to phone his Papa when he finally goes in the potty. We've tried stickers, but he hasn't actually gotten any since there has been no action to speak of. UGH.

I've been working really hard to stay positive and make it fun for him but I gotta tell you, my patience is waning. I keep telling him that if he's old enough to tell me his diaper needs to be changed then he's old enough to put the pee and poop in the potty. He just won't comply. I've been trying to let him lead but that has led to totally incosistent potty times and no results. I am totally fed up.

How do you keep your patience over the long haul? I feel like I've been doing everything wrong. I want that magic bullet that doesn't exist. Or maybe I just need a stiff drink. Is there a light at the end of the tunnel?

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