My 3 1/2 year old son has a mental block when it comes to pooping. For a while he was good about trying, but he was VERY constipated. We increased his fruits, juices, fiber, etc... but still had problems. He would sit for long periods of time on the potty and then complain that it was too hard. We finally got the constipation issue taken care of thanks to some supplements the pediatrician prescribed, but he still has that mental block. He resists sitting on the potty and, if you do make him sit there, he almost immediately gives up and claims that it is still too hard. Then moments later he successfully goes in his pants.
We've tried charts, bribery, praise, picking out underpants, positive peer pressure... everything we can think of. And I truly don't think he is trying to be ornery - I think he just has had bad experiences that have him scared. Any suggestions on how I can get him to relax and give it a second chance?
By the way, he pees in the potty just fine!
2006-10-30 00:49:32 · 9 answers · asked by Kris 4 in Pregnancy & Parenting ➔ Toddler & Preschooler
He is scared of bowel movements since he relates it to pain. Wait a while and don't force the issue. He will understand that it is ok and not painful in his own time.
2006-10-30 00:53:13 · answer #1 · answered by ginger13 4 · 1⤊ 0⤋
He will probably find it easier to go if he is more relaxed. Try sitting him on the potty and sit beside him and read books or look at magazines. Let him know that he will stay until he poops. Don't give up. Be patient. Nature will take it's course and after a couple of days, it will be easier for him. Remember, the key is to distract him with something he is interested in. Good luck and hang in there!
2006-10-30 08:57:00 · answer #2 · answered by moose on the loose 3 · 1⤊ 0⤋
Stop all of the bribes, charts, and praise. This is his issue. He knows that you REALLY want him to poop in the toilet and so he is refusing. It is something only he can control and it is powerful for him. If you insist, he will resist. Let it go for a few days. Let him know that the doctor gave him something so his poop can't get hard anymore. When he poops in his pants, hold him completely responsible for the clean up. Say to him, it looks like you need to change. Make sure he is in clothing that he can easily get on and off without any help from you. He can shake the poop in the toilet, rinse out the underwear, put the soiled clothing in a bag in the laundry, wash himself, and put on clean clothing. He will soon learn that it is much easier to use the toilet. Good luck!
2006-10-30 13:07:02 · answer #3 · answered by marnonyahoo 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
To make him feel more better about sitting on the potty, why dont you do it first, then tell him to do it, mabye after he sees someone else do it he is more brave and confident. Or just give him something to do while hes trying, Coloring, Singing, Listen to music ETC. Sooner or later he will get used to that and then learn to be a BIG BOY and sit down and go.
Mother of 3. Cody, Diana, Chelsie.
2006-10-30 09:11:34 · answer #4 · answered by GorgeousGal10 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I work with children his age and what we do is to have them take responsibility for themselves. When they have an accident they have to clean themselves and they have to change their cloths. No matter how bad they scream and argue that they need help stand there and tell them that if they are going to poop their pants then they have to clean it. They do not like cleaning poop and will eventually stop pooping in their pants. Even some of the smallest accidents can be a mess to be prepared for it to take a while and dont be in a hurry because in the end the child will be proud that they did it themselves and it was their choice to use the potty not yours.
2006-10-31 00:22:59 · answer #5 · answered by rozepetal23 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Try this. Next time you know he needs to poop, just put him on the potty diaper and all. On the 2nd week try taking his diaper/underwear off once while he's on the potty. Then gradually more and more times. When he becomes comfy with pooping on the pot it'll be all the time. But by letting him do it on the potty when he's comfy at first and gradually introducing change, you're allowing him to grow comfortable with the change. Good luck
2006-10-30 09:12:54 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
Both of my girls were potty trained by the time they were 2 1/2. I never forced the issue with them. I never made them stay seated on the pot. We would go to the pot - and if they did somthing that was wonderful - and if they didn't do something that was just fine. They were very relaxed about it - and both of them at one point just started going to the pot on their own.
So I would say just relax about it a little - so he can relax about it. It will happen.
2006-10-30 09:04:38 · answer #7 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
As he has bad associations with the potty, why not get him one of those wee seats that sits on an ordinary toilet seat?
Introduce it with the words - "because you are such a big boy now" kids love nothing better than being "bigger" and more grown up.
2006-10-30 09:06:07 · answer #8 · answered by Sue 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
i think this is just a BOY thing
both of my sons had this trouble
but my girl didn't. boys just can't seem to grasp
doing two different things in the toilet and thus
harder to train. one thing you can try is getting him to pee
when he is sitting might help.
just give him time
2006-10-30 09:04:39 · answer #9 · answered by Enigma 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋