My oldest son is actually well past 3 1/2 (he'll turn 4 in February). He's been potty trained for quite a while (at least 6-8 months), but lately he's been having a lot of accidents! Specifically it's usually poo accidents although occasionally he'll start to wet himself before he realizes he needs to go. A lot of times I think it's just because he's involved in whatever he's doing and forgets to go until it's too late. But it's still annoying. I stay home with him, but he's got a younger brother and being a stay-home-mom isn't an easy job... it's hard to keep an eye on him all day to make him go potty every time he starts dancing or holding himself... and I forget to just tell him to go at regular intervals.
Any ideas or suggestions on what might be going on or what we can try to do to keep it from continuing?
Have you tried a reward system? Mabey something like everytime he uses the potty and can show you, he receives alot of praise and something small he really likes. Later you can make it to where he earns a sticker for using the potty, and after so many stickers he earns a treat. It may be worth a try.
Kathy
Set a timer that will start over and pin it to your clothes.
or let him watch tv shows that end every 30 minutes and be there to remind him to go during commercial breaks and show transitions.
He might be jealous of that time that the baby has with you. I know my boy was when the baby was born. Maybe it's time to put off TTC so that you can focus on spending at least an hour a day alone with each child you already have. If your son is needing your attention now it will only get worse when you bring more children into the home. You dislike this wait until he starts Kindergarten and is bullying his classmates and teachers, gets sent home at least once a month and has a clear disregard for you because you're alway too busy with the other kids that "need you more."
My sister had this same issue with her little girl when she was about that age. She took her to a regular check up and asked the doctor about the problems she was having. It turned out that she had a bladder infection that was caused by a severe intestinal backup (there is a technical name that I can not think of). She pretty much lost the feeling of having to "go" until she had the accident. They did an x-ray of her intestinal track and she had stool backed up. She went on medication and had to keep a chart of her "soft" and "hard" movements. It really wasn't as alarming as it might sound but it is worth looking into.
How about having a timer go off like every hour or every hour and a half, and when it goes off, either have him go to the potty and try or just ask him if he has to go. But the timer would remind you and him. Once he gets into a routine like that, he should start going by himself.
Hope it all works out for you. S.
All the suggestions are great ideas just find the one that works best for both of you. Don't get too discouraged if he sees that you are,it may take alot longer to break him. Good luck to both of you
Hi there. I have 3 kids and stay home too so I know how tough it can be. My friend has a daughter turning 3 in Feb also and is having the same issues. She started using a timer and sets it for 30 minutes. Her daughter has caught on that every time it dings, she needs to go try to potty. It has helped her a bit, though she just started this a few days ago. Maybe it could work for you too.
How about setting a timer to go off every hour or so and when it beeps have go to the restroom. You could even try a special treat if he remembers to go before the timer goes off.
Good Luck
I am not sure about the little taps to remind him...that could discourage him. Yes, he is doing wrong by going to the potty in his undies but it could confuse him and make him scared to go on the potty. I understand about being a stay at home mom and not being able to watch him 24/7 and make sure he goes when he needs to. Try doing a potty chart of some sort. For example...have a calendar for when he goes to the potty and put stickers on it when he had a good day...if he went potty in his undies 1 time that day, then he doesnt get a sticker, then at the end of the month if he has a sticker on every day of the month, reward him with a toy that he can pick out his self or ice cream or what ever he would like but make sure he knows and understands why he is getting that suprise!! That way there really is no punishment except for him not getting a toy at the end of the month. Until he gets the hang of it, you will probably have to remind him daily about if he is a good boy and makes all of his potty and poo-poos in the potty then he will get a sticker for the day...but he has to make ALL of them on the potty...not one accident...its going to be hard not to budge...but he will catch on eventually ;)!!
