A Human

For the almost 4 year old, one thing that we have found helpful is to make the kid a partner in the problem solving (based on suggestions from How to Talk So Little Kids Will Listen). For example, both parents and the kid could contribute ideas about what reward to get for using the potty or what kind of potty seat would motivate them to use the potty. Both have veto power, but if the kid feels like they came up with the idea they seem to be more likely to go with it. My kid was very resistant about peeing before we left the house (kept saying he didn’t have to go, then would have an accident right after we left), but after the brainstorming process we agreed that we would “text” his preschool teachers and if they said he had to try, he would do it. It mostly works!!