Potty Issues - McKinney,TX

I would limit his activities away from the home and let him know it's because you don't want to have to deal with a poopy mess out in public. Also have him wash out his own underwear when he does have an accident.

I would first wonder some disgusting questions about how her feces looks----does she move her bowels every day? Is it very dry and hard, or loose? Does she ever seem constipated? Does there appear to be undigested food in her feces (besides corn)?

Then I would recommend that you make sure she is drinking adequate water. Take her body weight in pounds, divide it in half, then have her drink that number in ounces every day--at a minimum. (A 40 pound child would drink AT LEAST 20 ounces of water each day).Getting the right amount of water can make a significant change.

Then it's good to watch her habits. When does she usually move her bowels. Lots of times, it is after a meal or early in the morning. If you can guestimate a time, take her to the toilet and have her sit there and try to go. There is some great information from a company called www.soilingsolutions.com .

I've been in your shoes. My son was 4 before he would use the potty at all, for number 1 or 2. I, too, felt like I had tried everything! Now he is completely trained and I'm so happy it is all over. It will be for you, too. First and foremost, stay calm no matter what. It's hard, but you can do it. If your child has an accident, don't get angry, just have them help you clean themself up, so they can see how unpleasent that is to do. I told my son it was his decision, but he would have to take responsibility for his mess by helping clean it. He didn't like that at all. Also, I had him sit on the potty after meals and when I thought he looked like he had to go number 2. I watched him like a hawk for about a week. I gave him a handful of M and M's if he went number 2-his favorite candy. Probably not the healthiest idea, but I was desperate. The trick for us was getting him to go that first time. After that it got easier each time. After a couple of days, he went with no problem, until he got constipated, but that's another story! Also, my son took so long to use the potty because he was scared to do it and we didn't even know it. He never told us. Have you asked your child why they aren't choosing to go in the potty? If your child is afraid, email me back and I will share something the pedi told us that worked wonderfully. Good luck. Don't stress too much, your child will not go to college in diapers!!

place goldfish crackers in the potty and have him "bomb" them.

My son was very hard to train. I had a nurse come out monthly when I had my daughter to help with anything I needed. WE decided that he needed to wash is own soiled dirty pants. She said get a bucket and they feel better when the do not have to have you do it. Also if it gets really bad and he refused to go in the potty then he would have had to use only cold water. Well he was soaked before she left. I did not believe he would turn but he had washed his dirty pants and I could not find them to rewash them in the machine when he did not know. He had hung them on the fense in the back yard. I had a second child we figured he was jeolous and wanted attention. Not giving it he realized that was not working and quit to my amazement so go for it. Let him clean up the mess. You ignore him because what they want is us fussying over them. Good Luck and hopes that works. I also had the doctor look at him to make sure there was not a urinary infection before I started it. He was just stubborn. G. W

I'm right there with you. Don't have a nervous breakdown. I swear, the little dudes feel the tension and it just makes it worse. This week we are doing a "chuck e. cheese chart" with a path of 10 days to fill in with markers every time he succeeds. We are on day 9 with no accidents because it is what HE wants. I'm thrilled. That is my only suggestion. I think the bottom line is that they just do it when THEY want to not when we want them to. Breathe deeply. It can be so stressful.

This actually works, is not harsh and is from a book called "Train up a Child". I know someone who did it with a 4 year old and it only took 2-3 times and he was trained to go in the potty.
When he does it-take him outside with his pants on. Let him help take off the pants and underpants-rinse him off with the outside hose. Then gently tell him, if he will go in the potty you will not have to clean him up outside. Now listen-this is done no matter what the weather or the temperature of the water. It is done without being loud or abusive. Just do it in a matter of fact way, telling him, we are too old to go in our pants and if he does it again-outside you go!
I assure you, it is done and works every time! no spankings, no withholding toys or tv, etc. just do this and stay calm.
V. B.

Try and reward her for staying dry not just going in the potty. So every hour and 1/2 or so ask her if she is dry or clean and give her a reward. Then when she does go on the potty, also give her a reward. The whole concept is to reward them for having clean panties not for really going on the potty. This really works and it is in the book potty training 1-2-3 by the Ezzos.

Antique mom here:

I think we set our little guy up with a book on the potty chair? That way he could relax and not be so uptight.

Also - would it be appropriate to have him wash out his own underwear after messing them? Just wondering...

Also, his stools might be a little dry - check that out - perhaps a stool softener would help? Ask the doc or a nurse friend (also helpful: apple sauce, fruits, prunes, etc)

Good luck!