DS has regressed on potty training since starting school... And it's driving me potty!

[FrothyDragon]

DS has been dry for abut 20 months now; occasional accidents but not usually anything major.

However, since starting reception, we've had a complete regression. For the past 10 days, we've had three days where he's been dry. I've tried prompting him, taking away TV privileges after school, rewarding him for dry days. Needless to say, I want this nipped in the bud as quickly as possible, but have no idea what to do. Any suggestions, please? :(

It's tricky. I'd say go easy on him. Stressed animals wee themselves. Crudely put, but true. Have you had him checked for a UTI? (as an afterthought!). You know that it's really common though in Reception, or for any kids with a big change- for my son it happened when he started the school nursery, but he is older in year so was very nearly 4 and likewise had been dry for yonks. I just sat it out, was straightforward about it- no rewards, no punishments, and it was gone in a few weeks- it did take weeks rather than days. It should settle as he settles .

DS has been the same. He's 5. He's had 2 accidents at school, and loads at home.

My theory is that it is a combination of tiredness, distraction and bad planning. So I am trying to get him to bed earlier and have told him he must go to the toilet at break and lunch even if he feels he doesn't need to as there are not as many opportunities to go as at nursery.

Don't get angry, I don't think it'll help.

As hard as it is I would say don't make a huge deal out of it. I would do a little sigh and a slightly disappointed face each time and then say no more. Ds having been dry at night for months is now wetting the bed every night since starting school. It's frustrating but am just hoping it all settles down.

DD is reception and wet herself on Monday - she has always been such a nightmare for refusing to go until the last minute - I don't think she realises always why shes jiggling about. I have told her to try to go regularly - every break and at lunch whether she feels the need or not. Teacher has reported that she is trying more often. I also found that when she is excited about something she doesn't fully empty her bladder, so we encourage her to count to 10 and try again to make sure her bladder is empty. Essentially I think she finds having to go to the loo as a pita and she tries to avoid it.

Anyway no real advice, but you aren't alone. They will get there in the end, there is so much going on in their lives atm.

No suggestions, just sympathy. DD has had a few near-misses at home and has been holding in poo for home (luckily she stopped doing that last week).

I think they are very tired, especially the ones who are only just four. And at nursery/Pre-school they had so much help, or at least the presence of an adult who could help when needed.

My DD tells me that her school toilet has a noisy hand dryer. Those things put the fear of God into her. But she is getting better, with time. Could that be an issue for your DS?

Our school has a system for children to indicate when they need to go to the toilet, without having to say so, and they go in pairs. What is the system at your school?

Is he just wetting himself at school? Some children (mine included) don't like asking for the toilet at school, compared to nursery when they can go when they like. I told mine, that if they were bursting, it was ok ask the teacher. Kids don't seem to understand about going at lunch or break 'just in case' - at least not in reception!

My youngest started wetting herself on the way home from school as she was holding it in all day. Turns out some children were being naughty in the toilet so she didn't want to use it.

Are the loos at school clean - that could be another reason.

Agree with no punishments, although I did offer my youngest a lego figure if she could go a week without an accident. And it worked.

Just back from school run. He had another accident today; so far they'd all been at home.

Today, apparently, he'd been trying to speak to his teacher to ask to go to the toilet, but his teacher hadn't heard him. I've spoken to his teacher today; there's been no bullying. Managed to deal with it a lot calmer today (ALMOST turned into a fire breathing dragon yesterday, but still...)

Thanks for the suggestions so far. :)