Potty Help - Fort Lauderdale,FL

I wouldn't worry too much...the reason I wouldn't worry is because it's only happening at school, not in your own home. He's very young at 3 years old, I'm sure he'll get it soon enough.

My 3 year old will use, but does not like to use potty's other than his own. The loud flush of some public toilets really scare him. The potty at his preschool is similar to his "home potty", but he still waits until it's almost too late to use it. He doesn't want to take the time to pee because he's usually having too much fun.

What happens if he has an accident at school? Does he get changed and get to continue playing or do you come get him? If he likes preschool, maybe him having to leave will be enough to get him to use the potty.

I have a "difficult" three-year-old and although she has been fully potty trained for almost a year now, she will still have the occasional accident--but they are absolutely NOT accidents. We finally figured out (and she admitted!) that she has accidents on purpose when she is mad at Mommy or Daddy, or when she feels that she is not getting her share of attention (say, if I am having a difficult day with her baby brother and I spend more time nursing him or holding him and she gets jealous). The only thing that has helped here is the threat of putting her back in diapers AND we try to recognize her big-girl behavior and award privileges, like a special "date" with daddy or time with mommy when she acts like a big girl. That has helped a lot.

Is it possible that he is resentful of being dropped off at school? Or that after an accident he gets the teacher all to himself for a while (a huge motivator for kids!!)? I definitely agree that you should ask him why he is having accidents at school and see if you can figure out the root of the problem. Good luck!

What does your son think is the problem? What ideas does he think will work? I would try talking to him about it. He may be so busy at school that he needs to be reminded to go to the bathroom.

He is probably getting too involved in playing or having fun and is just putting off going to the bathroom until it is too late. My almost 5 year old holds it in and is doing a peepee dance and when we ask him if he has to go he insists he doesn't because he does not want to stop what he is doing. Sometimes he will have to go and hold it in and my husband will be playing around with him and my son will start laughing and then screaming that he is peeing in his pants and will then run to the bathroom after he has already peed a little on himself. Try asking the teacher to remind him periodically to use the bathroom. I still have to do that sometimes with my son especially before we leave the house and before bed. He always insists that he does not need to go but when we take him to the bathroom, he always does.