Why?

Get the movie "Once upon a Potty". My son was 2 1/2 and had no desire to use the potty by himself. We watched the movie and that night he was using the potty all by himself. In less than 1 week he was completely potty trained. This movie was recommended to me by many people.

with children, all things are phases....I know that doesn't help you much right now. Also, perhaps you've rushed her a bit in the potty training phase. She may not be ready for potty training. Unfortunately, we parents can't just start potty training whenever we feel like it's time. The children have to let us know when they are ready. Otherwise, it just ends up being much more difficult and frustrating. My son decided he was ready to start being potty trained right after he turned 3. I was ready long before then of course but I have been told time and again by many many experienced mothers that you can't decide for them.
At any rate, hope some of this helps.
Jen

She is probably fascinated with it - curious and you can take this opportunity to teach her about how her body works - that is from the food that she puts in her body and then teach her about hygiene and that she can look but don't touch, etc...

Good luck!
Alli

I don't get the playing with poo thing either, but it is not uncommon.

I'm sorry, but she's probably not ready. I don't believe in pushing, and if she only does things "on her terms" then it sounds like she is not ready for all aspects of it.

Also, many many many children regress when they get a sibling. She's got TWO brand new siblings. It makes perfect sense that she is not potty training like you want. Her world is changed for good. Think about that and try not to push her. It WILL happen. Some children do not naturally potty learn until 3. Your daughter might be one of those - especially since she has experienced getting new siblings in that time.

I know life would be easier to only have two in diapers instead of three, but it's not worth pushing her, IMO. Let it happen more naturally.

Since you've already been thru this twice, you know that some are just not ready at two to be potty trained. As for playing with it, she's just feeling the texture, finding out what it feels like. After all, it did come out of her, so she feels that basically, it's her's. As for how to stop it, I just don't know because mine only did it once or twice.

Children, especially toddlers, explore their environment through sensory play. It sounds like your daughter may be a hands-on learner. Lots of children begin to explore their diaper area and contents as they become more aware of the toilet learning process. Like several other moms have posted, some children are fascinated about what has come out of them. Some feel a sense of ownership, and don't want it to go into the potty because it disappears.

When it comes to children, there are 2 things you will NEVER be able to control and it is best avoid power struggles over them since they will always WIN. 1) eating 2) toileting. Keep in mind, the more you push, the more they push back.

A little gentle guidance and redirection will go along way. Offer more sensory experiences like playdough, shaving cream, goop (corn starch and water), corn meal etc... This is a great time to show her bathroom hygiene, like washing hands after diaper changes and using the bathroom. She will learn and eventually this will pass. Oh,the joys of parenthood! Best wishes!

My brothers did this too painted ther cribs and walls with it. I never did. Its just something some kiddos do. Can you put pants on her or jumpers where she cant get to it? Probley not. Just letting you know your not alone. Good luck.

I have always been told that training a child with their bowel movements can be very difficult because they view their poop as part of themselves. (I know this sounds crazy, but I promise you, this is what I was told.) My daughter used to cry when we flushed her bowel movements down the toilet, and this was the reason.

I don't have any suggestions about how to get her to stop. I just thought you would like to know the reason for her behavior.

I have a friend who was experiencing the same thing with her daughter. Her peditrician told her that she just likes the texture of it and to get her some play doh to play with. So she loaded up on the play doh for her daughter and the popblem went away!
Good Luck!
K.

A friend told me that "Potty Parties' worked really well for her. Her boy went through something similar to you. A very long process, to be sure. Then she stocked the bathroom with party hats, balloons and those blowy things. He was only allowed to touch them when he went potty in the bathroom.

They sang songs, too.

Toilet training was done 3 days later.

Good luck.

There is a great potty book by T. Berry Brazelton, M.D. He has done extensive research on potty training and has developed work shops for children with potty issues. Bottom line, he would say that a child who plays with their poop is not ready for training. I have 5 young children myself and I understand that you want her to be trained so that you only have 2 in diapers. The book is definitely worth your time to check it out (it is very small-perfect for busy moms). I have a 6,5,3,2, and 6mth old. Everyone trained at different ages. Good luck!
-Toilet Training The Brazelton Way (T. Berry Brazelton and Joshua D. Sparrow, M.D.)

I think it's normal. My first exp. was to freak out cause my step son, 2 at the time was playing in his poop. He smeared it everywhere in the bathroom and even pooped in the shower once. I'm not sure why they do it, but it's gross and if you are not prepared for it you may freak out about it like I did. Now I've been a mom for 5 years and know its just them learning and exploring. Even if it is gross, they are not conscous of that. they are just trying to figure out what it is an prob. why it comes out where it does. It's a faze, it too will pass!

Playing with thier poop is part of discovering their world...it comes out of them...what IS it??? Children are very tactile in their approach to learning.
I am not an advocate for allowing them to play with it, but rather continuing to reinforce that it is not a toy. She will eventually get it and stop playing with it.
Good luck and blessings to you.