5 year old fearful of public bathroom use

[mystic10]

My 5 year old grandson is completely "potty trained".  He will use all three bathrooms at home and the bathroom at school, even though he did not want to use it the first two weeks of school.  He was at home with his Mom until he was three and the first "out-of-the-house" potty he was exposed to was at daycare.  There were 3 little potty stalls located in the same room where the classroom was, off in an area against the wall.  He had no problem using these once he was potty trained.  He will cry not to use a public bathroom at the mall or a restaurant.  Our Pediatrician said not to worry about it and to just give him time.  We do not force him to use the public bathrooms.  Is there anything we need to do to help the situation.  Thanks for any suggestions you could help us with.

Shirlene

[2boysmom2009]

my 4 year old son is also terrified of the bathroom but his pre-k teacher was so great she figured out he was afraid of the flushing sound. It was louder that ours at home and plus he had just the little ones at daycare and at home So what she did was have him go and   then run out and she would flush after he left lol. He still will not go so I am a nurse and I purchased a urinal and keep it in the car. for emergencies. Even when he goes to work with me I have to pull at the urinal because he is afraid of the "big potty" So maybe it is a sound issue or a big potty issue. but just know this too will probably pass .

[mom@homenow]

I used to keep an empty peanut butter jar (with a good tight lid!) in my car for my son to pee in when there were no facilities available or if he just didn't want to use them. A friend of mine did the same thing for her son, she kept an empty soft drink bottle that had a wide opening in her van for her son.

[Kevin Kennedy, Ph.D.]

No. I suggest you ignore the situation as much as possible. I agree with the pediatrician.