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Child Behavior (Expert Forum)
Potty training regression with an almost 5 yr old
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
Potty training regression with an almost 5 yr old
by jenjen56, Nov 29, 2008 04:09PM
My son has been potty trained during the day for nine months now. He was EXTREMELY hard to train due to his stubborn nature. About a month or so into it, he started having his bowel movements in his pants....he would typically hide and then try to play it off like he didn't poop his pants. So I tried all kinds of rewards and finally, four months ago, after a cool reward chart and a big "reward prize" I considered him fully potty trained. Since then he has had only two accidents when he had diarreha.
Last week, I tried to train him at night, with no success. He wet himself every night, most nights he never even woke up after having done it. So I put him back in his pullups to try to give him more time. On that first night I put him back in his pullup we slept over my parent's house. The next day, he was playing on the computer and when I went to check on him, his pants were around his ankles, poop everywhere. He told me that he didn't make it to the bathroom in time, which I can understand. Since then, he is back to pooping in his pants...EVERYDAY. He has more freedom around that house now that he's older and most of the time I don't see any signs that he's going until its too late. When I ask him why, he says that he can't make it to the bathroom in time....my opinion on this is that I told him it was okay that first day when he had the accident at my parent's house and I didn't get angry at him him then.
I am so sick about this. I have no idea why he's doing this. There are no other changes around here. I have tried punishing him and threatening him. I've taken away his privileges to play on the computer on a day where he goes in his pants. This morning I even brought out my trusty potty chart again. I am at my whit's end with this. Any help or advice would be greatly greatly appreciated.
Jen
Last week, I tried to train him at night, with no success. He wet himself every night, most nights he never even woke up after having done it. So I put him back in his pullups to try to give him more time. On that first night I put him back in his pullup we slept over my parent's house. The next day, he was playing on the computer and when I went to check on him, his pants were around his ankles, poop everywhere. He told me that he didn't make it to the bathroom in time, which I can understand. Since then, he is back to pooping in his pants...EVERYDAY. He has more freedom around that house now that he's older and most of the time I don't see any signs that he's going until its too late. When I ask him why, he says that he can't make it to the bathroom in time....my opinion on this is that I told him it was okay that first day when he had the accident at my parent's house and I didn't get angry at him him then.
I am so sick about this. I have no idea why he's doing this. There are no other changes around here. I have tried punishing him and threatening him. I've taken away his privileges to play on the computer on a day where he goes in his pants. This morning I even brought out my trusty potty chart again. I am at my whit's end with this. Any help or advice would be greatly greatly appreciated.
Jen
Doctor's Answer
by Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D., Nov 29, 2008 06:29PM
, Nov 29, 2008 06:29PM
It is a mistake to be punitive about this. Be supportive and encouraging - the potty chart is fine. Also, even children who are potty trained can be enuretic at night. This is a different issue than potty training. Around ten percent of children his age are enuretic at night. Don't give him fluids for an hour or so before bed, have him use the bathroom just before bed. Apart from that, there's not much you can do.
