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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
2 1/2 boy soiling/wetting pants.
Answered by
Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D. - Child and Adolescent Psychotherapy, Family Therapy, Crisis Intervention
Harvard Vanguard Medical Associates
This forum is for questions and support regarding child behavior issues such: Child Discipline (behavior management), Normal Child Development, Parent-Child Communications, Social Development
2 1/2 boy soiling/wetting pants.
by Julie Davis, Dec 26, 1999 12:00AM
My 2 1/2 year old nephew has been potty trained (approx 6 months)
My niece was a single mother, but recently has been dating and now is living with her boyfriend. Her boyfriend is very strick with the child. Now the child has begun to soil/wet his pants.
My sister and I think it is because of the new boyfriends
presence. But my niece thinks we are over reacting. She thinks there is nothing wrong with her new boyfriend handing out the discipline to her 2 1/2 year old son. One form of discipline for
soiling/wetting his pants is to remove every single toy that the child has in his room and put the child in his room alone for awhile. Can you please help us understand why this is happening so we can spare the child any further stress.
My niece was a single mother, but recently has been dating and now is living with her boyfriend. Her boyfriend is very strick with the child. Now the child has begun to soil/wet his pants.
My sister and I think it is because of the new boyfriends
presence. But my niece thinks we are over reacting. She thinks there is nothing wrong with her new boyfriend handing out the discipline to her 2 1/2 year old son. One form of discipline for
soiling/wetting his pants is to remove every single toy that the child has in his room and put the child in his room alone for awhile. Can you please help us understand why this is happening so we can spare the child any further stress.
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Dec 27, 1999 12:00AM
, Dec 27, 1999 12:00AM
Dear Ms. Davis,
Your nephew apparently achieved mastery over toileting at a young age. Not many two year olds have accomplished this challenge. However, if he truly was trained, and was clean and dry during both day and night, and then regressed, it is probably due to stress.
It is certainly possible that the presence, and behavior, of his mother's male friend is related to the new behavior. The punitive reaction is not appropriate, and will likely exacerbate the situation rather than help it.
The boy's mom would be helping him by consulting with a behavioral health professional. The clinician can help her understand what is occurring and develop a plan to address it.
Your nephew apparently achieved mastery over toileting at a young age. Not many two year olds have accomplished this challenge. However, if he truly was trained, and was clean and dry during both day and night, and then regressed, it is probably due to stress.
It is certainly possible that the presence, and behavior, of his mother's male friend is related to the new behavior. The punitive reaction is not appropriate, and will likely exacerbate the situation rather than help it.
The boy's mom would be helping him by consulting with a behavioral health professional. The clinician can help her understand what is occurring and develop a plan to address it.
