Regressed again!

[mjs1969]

My 3 year old boy,( 4 in January) HAD got potty training cracked, for the second time! He was getting really good at holding on and waiting to get to the toilet without accidents. However over the last week, he is peeing and pooing where he wants to. The days he is at nursery he will be dry and clean but as soon as I get him home it's a different story. No matter how much I ask, encourage or distract he digs he's heels in and refuses to go to the toilet only to pee or poo where he stands!
I'm at my wits end. We have try big hugs, stickers, extra stories and even trips out, nothing seems to work. Now I feel I'm too close to the situation to be objective. I know I should stay calm and not get angry but I'm finding it very hard. ANY IDEAS?

[Arabica]

Lots of empathy but no solutions I'm afraidI'm in a very similar position, with a similar-aged DS (4 in April). DS is refusing to poo at all this week; last week he was using the potty beautifully; the week before, I was literally soaking three pairs of underpants a day in napisan. I ended up speaking to a very nice woman on NHS direct about it to see if he was doing himself any physical harm by holding his poo back (as it's been 4 days since he did a proper poo). We talked about how for most kids, a reward system won't work unless there's an item they really, really want more than anything in the world which is more important for them than exercising control over their bodies and obtaining a gratifyingly strong reaction from mummy. This is a phase a lot of boys seem to need to go through and we just have to trust that they will come out the other sideafter all, few adults have a need to poo and wee in their pants. Hard to trust that they will get there, but apparently they do and there's little we can do to influence them! I also spoke to a homeopath because there's nothing to lose by doing so and she prescribed a remedy which we are trying tonight--told DS it was some medicine for a bruise on his head (he refuses to discuss his bowel habits)!

[Arabica]

DS still didn't produce poo but had a fantastic night's sleep after taking his homeopathic reemdy--no waking up in middle of night crying out for mummy to come and find toys, so I'm starting today feeling v positive! How about you, mjs?

[mvgf]

Hello Arabica,

I would love to know what homeopathic remedy you are giving your wee one.

Is it for sleeping or to help the child relax in the hope it will let the poo out??

I am all ears as I have a daughter who holds in poo big time.

Look foward to a reply...Thanks