Potty training a.k.a. psychological warfare

So a while back I did a post about Lorne's progress with potty training. I was SO happy that he had finally started making some headway with it since he's starting kindergarten this September (here in Canada they go to junior kindergarten as long as they are 4 by December 31st of the same year).

source: {pottytraininghub.com}

Lorne is on the "old" side as it were...to get potty trained. He'll be 4 in October. Most people inwardly gasp (I can still hear you even though it's not out loud people!) when I tell them he isn't fully trained yet. I get it...I'm a failure....I know. Buzz off  I'm doing my best here.

Not to take anything away from the boy. He has been happily peeing in the potty ever since my first post about it. He's a pro. HOWEVER...and those are box car letters you're reading here...he will not poo on the potty. He just won't. Outright refusal in fact.

I have literally tried everything. Most of the time I can't even get him to sit on it let alone do anything while he's there. I've tried praise, I've tried bribery {yah that's right I said it...don't judge me}, I've tried punishment {taking away toys and activities that he holds dear} and I've tried not doing anything. Nothing works. I've tried special books, special seats, a special pirate potty hat (there's a book). You name it...I've done it. Heck I've even manufactured a few tears to try and guilt him into it...to NO AVAIL!

At this point...I won't even have to manufacture tears...they're real. My son is 3 weeks away from starting kindergarten at which time they may very well tell me he can't go unless he will poo on the potty. So the pressure is on. I can no longer sit idly by...waiting until he is ready. I've got to start getting crafty.

On the CBS show Survivor, their motto is: Outwit, Outlast, Outplay. I'm in survivor mode. Game face is on...Little boy...you are going down. DOWN I SAY!

Stay tuned....oh and while you're at it...cross your fingers and toes for me...and maybe even your eyes for good measure!