Help with Making It to the Potty

Updated on November 08, 2006
C.S. asks from Chicago, IL
4 answers

I have a 3 year old son who goes to full day preschool. He does great in school except that he poohs in his pants several times a month. Because this is a school and not a daycare center I have to pick him up when he has "accidents".

He is potty trained and knows what to do but for some reason he tries to hold his poop in so he doesn't miss anything. At home I usually catch him before he goes so it isn't a problem but at school the teacher is watching a lot of kids and can't only focus on him. It has been okay so far because I have been working from home but I am going to be starting a job outside of the home and am concerned this will be a problem.

I have resorted to bribery "No Cars DVD if you go potty in your pants" but I think there must be a better way.

If would appreciate any and all suggestions. He turned 3 at the end of August so he is one of the youngest in his class of 3 & 4 year olds.

Thanks,
Chris

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J.S.

answers from Chicago on

Did you try rewards first? Like every day he doesn't have an accident he gets a sticker or something small? Maybe talk to the teacher to see if she will fill him in on what he missed while in the bathroom -- or let another kid tell him anything that happened while he was gone -- so he doesn't hold it. I don't know if that would work for his age. You could try practicing at home -- you pretend to be the teacher and he asks for the potty and you praise him and act happy that he asked.

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K.

answers from Chicago on

I have resorted to bribery "No Cars DVD if you go potty in your pants" but I think there must be a better way.

That's not bribery that's a consequence! If you are sure that this is something that is with in his control, and it sounds like it is, then holding him accountable and giving him consequences for his behavior is perfectly reasonable.

Also, when he has an accident he should the one to do the clean up. Yes, you will probably have to check to make sure he "got everything" but hand him wipes to clean up himself, make him put the poopy underware in a bag, give him a clorox wipe to clean the toilet and then send him to get his own clean clothes. Then you can talk about how long it took to clean up and how much easier and faster it is to just take a break and go to the bathroom. Also point out that he misses alot when he has to go home from preschool but he would only miss a minute to go to the bathroom.

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S.

answers from Chicago on

Hey, don't stress! All 3 of my boys trained just after their 3rd b-day. Don't use pull-ups unless you are going out, and just make underwear fun. This shouldn't be anything he gets in trouble for.
My boys did have "potty candy" which we kept in the towel cabinet. Every time they went Potty, the got a small candy. I used Smarties.
Good luck!

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J.F.

answers from Chicago on

I agree with Kristin. When we were potty training my daughter a year and a half ago, she was acting scared of the little potty. We didn't want to force her so we just decided the we would do all or nothing potty training and she would have to help clean up any messes. So, we put her in her big girl panties. She had two accidents that day and she helped clean both up. After that, she was potty trained. Although your son is already potty trained, I would think having him help clean up any accidents would help end them in the future.

Good luck.
-Jen

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