.... up until about 8 weeks ago, DS has always pooed in nappy pants. He potty trained (wee) at just 2 years old and I think the pooing issue came about because he always insisted on standing up, therefore the opportunity never really arose. It's never really been an issue, he's just done it after bath every evening and if we were out he would just wait until we got home (as he got older, I always refused to carry a nappy and wipes with me wherever we went!), and even though my OH (we are divorced) hated having to change a dirty nappy (more a proud thing, I think) it never bothered me as I just thought he'd get out of it when he was ready. Obviously, sitting on the toilet to do a poo was always encouraged, and DS would happily sit on the toilet but just couldn't connect that with doing a poo. Bribery with Lego Star wars had no effect. That's how bad this phobia of pooing on the toilet was!!
Anyway, about 8 weeks ago, I don't really know how it came about, but DS one evening, just went and did a poo on the toilet. He insisted we get rid of nappy pants stating he wasn't going to use them again and fair play, he hasn't asked for them. On average he's been going every 4-5 days on the toilet, until the past 2 weeks and suddenly, he refusing to go, crying and getting himself worked up, saying he's scared and it's going to hurt when he goes. I've asked if it's hurt before, he says no. He just keeps saying he's scared. He hasn't asked for nappy pants and I really don't want to start with all that again when he's come so far, but I've gone from being lovely, patient, kind mummy, to just telling him to do what he wants and leaving him to it and stropping off. I feel awful and I don't feel I'm helping by getting stroppy with him, but I can't help myself. I've said everything I possibly can to encourage/help/persuade him, but I'm all out of ideas as to where to go from here.
I've looked online for several years and read up on other children (mainly boys) that have struggled with it, but I think I've exhausted all those avenues now and wondered, does anybody have any experience/ideas as to what I can now do.... pretty please!