Poopie Problem

I've heard of kids being scared of pooping in the toilet-they don't know where it goes, etc. Some kids even feel like it's a part of them. I don't think punishing him is the answer at this point. He could help you clean it up though-being careful for sanitary reasons of course. He might be able to tell you why he won't go in the toilet? I think I'd try the advice about putting him back in a diaper until he goes in the toilet-maybe over the weekend so you don't have to worry about doing it in daycare. I definately think you should talk with his ped. about the situation-especially if it continues. There could even be a medical reason (hurts when he goes, etc) for why he's doing this.

OH! I so feel for you. We went through this with my son, I was motified...gross! (I took a few pictures so show him when he is older)
Anyway...we first talked to our ped. After asking us questions, he determined that it was a control issue. He was using his poop as control. Our ped recommended that the next time it happened to put a diaper on him. And swiftly explain that big boys poop in the toilet. He instructed us to leave him in diapers until he pooped on the toilet.
I didn't think this would work, but I was willing to try anything. We only had to put on 1 diaper. From that point on, the poopie mess was thankfully over. Hopefully that helps...Have you talked to your ped yet?

I feel for you though!!

WOW..umm I've heard of the crib thing this is embarassing but my parents say I did that LOL... it's really embarrsing they said I painted my walls one morning with my poopy diaper.

As far as the hiding it and toys that is weird. I think he's beyond ready to be potty trained though in the toliet though. Do you punish him or is their consequences for that? I would almost think that is a naughty thing. Honestly if my daughter did that I would fly off the handle. It's one thing at 1-2 years old it's another thing at 3.5years old. He's old enough to teach facts about poop. Research all the facts you can about poop how dirty and disgusting and contaminating it can be what happens when people ingest poop etc., and try and scare him. You could definately educate him at this age. Be blunt and straight with him.

My daughter at age 3 was taught all about what happens when kids put toys in their mouth at daycare and she became obsessed with telling her daycare buddies why not to do that. She NEVER put anything in her mouth and knows if she saw other kids doing that to not touch that toy. Obsessive yes.. but we got sick of being sick all the time. So my point you can teach kids alot.

What has your ped said? Man, I can't even tell you the amount of heebies I've just had. That would just gross me out. I'm not a clean freak, but that would set me over the edge.

Sorry, I don't have any experience with this. Have you tried the reward system. Similar to what you would use for potty training? For everyday that he doesn't smear poop everywhere he gets a sticker and after about 5 stickers he gets a small toy after 10 stickers he gets a bigger toy. Or something along those lines.

Good luck and God Love you.

Hi we have been throu this with my son. What we did was buy the PJ's with feet in them (they now make them with out) but what we would do is cut the feet off them and put them on him backwards so that they zipped up the back. I liked the ones that buttoned at the top so that he could get to the zippper. I could then send him to bed knowing that he could not get them off. I slept so much better knowing the mess would be in his pants when he got up and not in his room. He finally started asking to use the bathroom because he would get mad that there was a mess in his pants. Best of luck and I hope this helps

I would say your son needs to learn there are consequences to smearing poop. I agree that it sounds like a naughty thing. He's old enough to know that it's not appropriate behavior unless you haven't told him that it's not okay to do that. Do you think he is looking for more attention for some reason?