3yo, toilet trained for 7 months, suddenly having not-so-accidental 'accidents'

[franch]

DD1's been reliably toilet trained for past 7 months. Started nursery in Sept, only had one accident all term. Over Christmas though, she's started having an accident most days - some more accidental than others - she sometimes genuinely doesn't make it to the loo on time (not always at times when she's especially excited/absorbed, either), but at other times she seems to just stand there and wee on the floor deliberately. On one occasion she weed because she'd kept fibbing about needing the toilet as a way of getting off the naughty step and I decided to risk leaving her there - then the following day she sat herself down on the step and weed spontaneously.

She still wears a nappy at night, and the last few days this 'regression' has extended to pooing in the nappy before going to bed and on waking in the morning - this is 100% deliberate and she thinks it's very funny.

So far we've mostly been ignoring all this, hoping it's one of those silly phases that'll evaporate of its own accord. I'm hoping the start of term on Mon might get things back to normal, but am a bit concerned that if it doesn't, she's going to start weeing on the floor at nursery on a regular basis which would be very tiresome.

There haven't been any major life events that I can think of - no new baby, house move or anything. DD2 is 16 months and close to walking; DD1's behaviour towards her (and in fact her behaviour in general) had been pretty bad lately but in fact has been improving as the toilet habits worsen.

The only theory I can come up with is that as she gets slowly and reluctantly more disciplined in her behaviour, she's hit on this as the one area of her life that she - and only she - really can have control of. This doesn't help me solve it though!

God, is DD1 the only one then???

This morning all was great until just before nursery when she stood in the hallway and not only weed but POOED in her PANTS. Never EVER done that before. Then went into toilet and unrolled a whole roll of toilet paper onto the floor. All totally deliberate.

I have decided this is to do with DD2 growing up, and am trying to really 'big up' how great DD1 is and all the things she can do that DD1 can't, etc etc. Told nursery what's happening and they're taking her to the loo regularly (rather than waiting for her to go), and I'm doing the same at home.

I know this will pass. But sympathy / similar experiences always appreciated!

DD1 did this as well after being potty trained for more than 6 months.

Sometimes I think it was for attention, so we just ignored it as much as possible. Cleaned up and I'd just tell to remember to go to the potty.
Other times I think she was just too bussy playing to go and thought she could hold it til she'd finished playing.
So every 1-2hrs I'd just remind her to go to the potty.

Must admit it took a couple of months to return to normal but she did and thats all that matters
I think the main thing is not to make a big deal over it.

hth

Thanks junk - that's what I needed to hear

I think I'd have to threaten to put her back in day time nappies, but that probably won't help with the nursery school.