"Shit or get off the pot"

Anyone heard that before?

My wife and I are currently attempting to potty train our 2 year old. As long as he is content with walking around, for any length of time, with soiled pants we are never going to get him to take that step of personal growth. A number of the books say it has to be his idea. If we try to force him, he'll just hold on harder to what is familiar. Even a fully loaded diaper can be more comfortable to the new sensation of cold porcelain.

Here are some of the tips I've read:
1) Let your child practice sitting on the potty or the commode, with or without clothes, to help build familiarity with the new process.
2) Praise, praise, praise, whenever the child is willing to sit and try to go.
3) Remember that sitting for more than 10 seconds is progress.
4) Don't expect something to happen every time. If nothing happens, tell them ''That's OK, or ''Good try, we'll try again later.''
5) Do not pressure or nag your child to use the potty. The harder you push, the harder he/she will resist!
6) Praise your child for every deposit in the potty chair, especially during early learning stages.
7) Remember the toilet seat can seem awfully big to your child.
8) Never, never, NEVER punish your child for an accident. Clean up in a matter-of-fact way, no matter how hard that may be to do.
9) Remember, they're LEARNING. They won't get it right every time. A child anxious to please may agonize over what they think is shameful behavior because of your reaction.
10) Be patient.

I agree completely.

I have followed these simple rules and will continue be supportive of him so long as he needs me. But I have to wonder at what point is it appropriate to throw down a "shit or get off the pot?" When he's 4 and still in diapers? When he's 16? How about 30? If you try everything from the above list and STILL he doesn't make the decision on his own, sooner or later tough love has to come into play. When is it appropriate?

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