Member Comments are provided by individuals and reflect their personal opinions only. Under NO circumstances should you act on any advice or opinion posted in this forum. ALWAYS check with your personal physician before taking any action regarding your health! MedHelp International and our partners, sponsors and affiliates have no obligation to monitor any comments posted on this site, or the content and/or accuracy of such exchanges. MedHelp International does not endorse the views of any user.
Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
Playing games at bedtime
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
Playing games at bedtime
by BKB24, Jan 26, 2003 12:00AM
Over the past few nights, our 2.5 year old daughter tells us that she has to go to the bathroom a few times each night when we are trying to put her to sleep. When we do take her to the bathroom, she doesn't go and tell us she is done going. We put her back to bed and she repeats this. She doesn't have any of the symptoms of a UTI except for the fact that we don't know if she has the urge to go but doesn't have to or that she is trully playing a game. If it is a game, any suggestions for putting an end to it? Is this common? Thanks!!
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Jan 26, 2003 12:00AM
, Jan 26, 2003 12:00AM
I'd hesitate to call this behavior a game, because your daughter probably doesn't regard it quite that way. But I understand what you mean. Set a firm limit with her - i.e., that she will have the opportunity to use the bathroom just prior to bedtime, and that after that her 'job' is to remain in bed. Be firm, don't alter the routine, and she'll adjust. If you accomodate the frequent requests, she'll persist in the behavior. (Of course, occasionally you'll have to make an exception, but when her bedtime pattern is settled it'll become clear when the exceptions should occur.)
