Potty Accidents Only at School

I agree with everyones comments so far. If it is an issue that only happens at school it is their job to help him through it - it is lazy of them to expect you to make him take a "step back" in training when it may just be the distractions of the school environment. Asking them to remind him is not a big deal for them.

Also is there a good friend of his they could pair him up with to go at the same time? This helped my son during a stage when he just didn't feel like it.

Is it possible that something in the preschool environment is "off"? It seems to be the only common denominator in your problem.

He is probably getting to busy w/ activities you should ask the teachers to remind him to go find out if these accidents are during the same time of the day or during the same activity. My oldest used to get so involved during recess that he often had them while playing outside.

Hi A.,

Not to worry. My children were uncomfortable using the bathroom at school at age 4. Pull-Ups are the way to go.

Good luck,
: ) Maureen

Does his teacher ask him every hour or so if he has to use the bathroom? Do they have bathroom times for everyone? Does he go when he gets to school?

Sounds like he's engrossed in his activities at preschool and the teachers are not taking any action to remind kids of attending to their potty needs. Or there is some particular stress at preschool (not comfortable using that bathroom...attitude of the teacher(s)...not wanting to miss anything fun/interesting/etc.?) Have you talked with the teachers about how it's approached at home versus at school?

I would encourage him to go to the bathroom when he gets there, before or after any snack or meal (remembering to wash his hands!), before any excursions with his class, and before coming home. I suspect if he were encouraged by the staff, it would become second nature.

My belief is that pull-ups are easier for the teacher(s) but actually prolong the potty training process.

This happened to my kid all the time. His bladder-brain connection was quite late to develop and he never felt the urge until it was too late. He was also highly distractable and interested in everything that was going on in his environment, and never wanted to break away. You can start by having the teachers send him to the bathroom, either during a scheduled bathroom break for everyone, or just on a schedule that seems to work for him. They cannot ask him if he needs to go - he'll say no. He needs to be taken/sent to the bathroom - "Let's go to the bathroom and then you can do X or Y activity." They can make a game of it - put a square of toilet paper in the bowl and see if he can sink it. Find a time, in cooperation with the teacher, that works for him, then stick to it. I agree that pull-ups make it easier for the teachers but he can't enjoy being wet and having to be changed. You can put him in the pull-up but still do the scheduled bathroom trip.