potty training accidents

[frustrated]

I am very frustrated about my 4 1/2 year old. He was going wee wee in the potty at 2 1/2 but was a late start at poo in the potty. He has been fine for the last 7-8 months but for the last month every time he needs to go poo, he isn't making it to the potty in time. Each time is an accident. He is in preschool and will not be able to go again this year if he doesn't stop doing this. I told him he has to wear pull ups until he stops having accidents and he is not too happy abount this. I hope it will stop soon. Any advice?

Have you tried a star chart? For instance you could give him a star for every day without accident, and when he has three stars he gets a little treat, either a sticker, or a smartie. If you haven't already, try it as it works with many children. HTH

Thoughts off the top of my head... Has he had a change in his diet that's making his toilet trips more "urgent"? Or has there ben a change to his life that's unsettled him? Have you asked him if there is a problem? Have you tried asking him every half an hour if he needs to go?

Other than that, I was going to suggest a star chart or pasta jar reward scheme. Since he's not happy about pullups, you could let him start the day in pants but tell him that if he has an accident, he'll have to have pullups as a replacement.
Good luck!

i'm sorry, but i think the idea of putting him in pull ups is gonna make him worry all the more and have more accidents. he is 4 1/2, a 'big boy' now but still a little boy as well. i wouldnt make a big deal out of the accidents he has, just say 'oh dear, but it doesnt matter, you will get there again soon'. after all, its only washing powder that will get them clean. i was late potty training my daughter, but i have never put pressure on her, waited till she was ready and if she has an accident (and she has only had one since starting potty training) then it doesnt matter. putting more pressure on and making her worry about it would've made the situation worse imo.
what about giving him a toddler toilet seat and step instead of the potty? my daughter detests the potty, says it for babies and as she is a 'big girl' now she wants to use the toilet. i think since i bought her potty at around 2 1/2 she only ever sat on it 5 times and never did a thing on it. maybe let him choose what seat and step combination he gets, mothercare do a good range (or they did when i shopped there bout 9 months ago.)
have fun, and keep the washing powder handy

Our ds had accidents of both kinds at preschool until he was about 4. IMO pull ups would be a backwards step and almost give him permission to do it. I think in ds'case it was a combination of upheavals in his life and being too shy to say he needed to go. I think he also fell off the seat once or twice which did not help his confidence.

He did grow out of it - after a particularly nasty incident in MacDonalds - frustrating and irritating it was at the time. In the meantime I'd agree with Soupy to look at his diet - do the preschool give them fruit and juice that may unsettle his system, sometimes apple juice can make things move a bit quicker ?

I rather suspect that this is more common than people will admit so I hope the preschool will bear with it.

hth

ps Agree with the toilet seat and step suggested by misdee. After all, once they are at preschool and out and about with others that is what they need to get used to. ds who is not large wouldn't have fitted on a potty at 4.5 !