Comments on: Get Thee to a Potty! An Unorthodox Solution to a Child’s Persistent Pooping Problem and Toilet Training Issues. http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/ Fatherhood Advice From a Self Employed Stay at Home Dad. Tricks and Tips for Raising Children. Thu, 02 Feb 2012 23:04:36 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.0.1 By: Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-9707 Straight Dope Dad Thu, 29 Dec 2011 14:11:43 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-9707 That's a tough one. There may be two things going on. One, he's just maintaining a holding habit he started a long time ago. Two, he can't tell when he needs to poop. My daughter doesn't feel pressure in her bladder very well. So after 4-6 hours I make her go pee even though she claims she doesn't have to. Then when she sits down, she pees like a horse. We've talked about this and she truly doesn't feel pressure in her bladder unless it's really strong. So we just go by time. It's possible your son my have some similar issues of where his body doesn't feel like pooping as strongly as other people. If that's the case I would set up a pooping schedule. Maybe once every other day to get started and then eventually everyday. Make it the same time each day and set up a routine. Like maybe have something warm and delicious like hot chocolate, then go sit and try to poop. A standard routine will create bio feedback and reenforce the behavior psychologically. That’s a tough one. There may be two things going on. One, he’s just maintaining a holding habit he started a long time ago. Two, he can’t tell when he needs to poop. My daughter doesn’t feel pressure in her bladder very well. So after 4-6 hours I make her go pee even though she claims she doesn’t have to. Then when she sits down, she pees like a horse. We’ve talked about this and she truly doesn’t feel pressure in her bladder unless it’s really strong. So we just go by time.

It’s possible your son my have some similar issues of where his body doesn’t feel like pooping as strongly as other people. If that’s the case I would set up a pooping schedule.

Maybe once every other day to get started and then eventually everyday. Make it the same time each day and set up a routine. Like maybe have something warm and delicious like hot chocolate, then go sit and try to poop.

A standard routine will create bio feedback and reenforce the behavior psychologically.

]]> By: Poop-probs-persist http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-9703 Poop-probs-persist Thu, 29 Dec 2011 08:30:23 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-9703 We had same problems several years ago, and struggled through it much the same way with bribery, etc. never tried the naked bit though. Now my son is 6. He will indeed say he needs to poop sometimes, and everything comes out normally. He gets praised up and down for being a big boy, rewarded if he wants it, etc. But he still has the problem of holding it in. Sometimes he will go for days until he absolutely has to go. This is okay if he's at home or at school (he actually did it in school by himself), but gets a little inconvenient when you've been on the ski slopes for a few days and he is going to ski school on his own tomorrow. I picture him being up on the lift saying "instructor, I need to poop". They will certainly tell him to hold it and he will then have to struggle with snow plowing and holding poop in. I know the worst that can happen is some brown patches in the snow and humiliation for him, but I would rather not have him go through that over and over again in his life. I'm just not sure how long this will go on, and it doesn't seem like it is "normal". Has anyone on this board had experience with the persistent poop-holder? If so, please let me know how you've resolved it. Thanks! We had same problems several years ago, and struggled through it much the same way with bribery, etc. never tried the naked bit though. Now my son is 6. He will indeed say he needs to poop sometimes, and everything comes out normally. He gets praised up and down for being a big boy, rewarded if he wants it, etc. But he still has the problem of holding it in. Sometimes he will go for days until he absolutely has to go. This is okay if he’s at home or at school (he actually did it in school by himself), but gets a little inconvenient when you’ve been on the ski slopes for a few days and he is going to ski school on his own tomorrow. I picture him being up on the lift saying “instructor, I need to poop”. They will certainly tell him to hold it and he will then have to struggle with snow plowing and holding poop in. I know the worst that can happen is some brown patches in the snow and humiliation for him, but I would rather not have him go through that over and over again in his life. I’m just not sure how long this will go on, and it doesn’t seem like it is “normal”.

Has anyone on this board had experience with the persistent poop-holder? If so, please let me know how you’ve resolved it.

Thanks!

]]> By: tklothe http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-9395 tklothe Mon, 12 Dec 2011 15:04:16 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-9395 WOW!!! I will try with my 4 year old daughter. She refuses pooing on potty and it's starting to be a problem in school. For some reason teachers don't want to change other peoples kids poop!!LOL I am so relieved that my daughter has fellow rebels out there. I'll keep you posted WOW!!! I will try with my 4 year old daughter. She refuses pooing on potty and it’s starting to be a problem in school. For some reason teachers don’t want to change other peoples kids poop!!LOL I am so relieved that my daughter has fellow rebels out there. I’ll keep you posted

]]> By: Teresa http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-9010 Teresa Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:27:43 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-9010 My son is 3 yrs old. And he also has this problem. The tough thing is he hides when he needs to go so well from me. He has had problems pooping ever since he was born. I had to give him enama's for infants for the first 2 months of his life and a couple other times during the first yr. Things seemed to start getting normal but when he was just over a yr old his father took off when he found out I was pregnant again. My son stoped talking and has been difficult ever since. He has been peeing on the potty for about 18 months now but still sometimes just goes in his cloth's and absolutly refuses to poop on the potty. He will poop anywhere else but the potty. He will only pee when I tell him to even. My 19 month old daughter has shown now that she is starting to become aware of when she has to go and has told me a couple times and pooped and peed on the potty but I have noticed that she is also now aware that her brother wont use the potty and she has stopped trying to use the potty herself. I need to get him to use the potty soon before she becomes the same way. My first 2 kids were so much easier and they were both trained by 2 yrs old. Strange how they are girl's and started the same as my youngest. But my son Still doesnt speak very much and seems to have trouble pronouncing some things. The Dr. hasn't been able to figure out why he has trouble speaking and this is limiting our comunication. I believe he understands more then he lets on but not sure what all he realy get's. I am going to try to use this with him though and hopefully he understands it and it work's. If anyone has any other ideas on this or ideas to incourage more speech please share them with me. My son is 3 yrs old. And he also has this problem. The tough thing is he hides when he needs to go so well from me. He has had problems pooping ever since he was born. I had to give him enama’s for infants for the first 2 months of his life and a couple other times during the first yr. Things seemed to start getting normal but when he was just over a yr old his father took off when he found out I was pregnant again. My son stoped talking and has been difficult ever since. He has been peeing on the potty for about 18 months now but still sometimes just goes in his cloth’s and absolutly refuses to poop on the potty. He will poop anywhere else but the potty. He will only pee when I tell him to even. My 19 month old daughter has shown now that she is starting to become aware of when she has to go and has told me a couple times and pooped and peed on the potty but I have noticed that she is also now aware that her brother wont use the potty and she has stopped trying to use the potty herself. I need to get him to use the potty soon before she becomes the same way. My first 2 kids were so much easier and they were both trained by 2 yrs old. Strange how they are girl’s and started the same as my youngest. But my son Still doesnt speak very much and seems to have trouble pronouncing some things. The Dr. hasn’t been able to figure out why he has trouble speaking and this is limiting our comunication. I believe he understands more then he lets on but not sure what all he realy get’s. I am going to try to use this with him though and hopefully he understands it and it work’s. If anyone has any other ideas on this or ideas to incourage more speech please share them with me.

]]> By: Manda http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-8971 Manda Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:46:44 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-8971 Me too!!! :)) Me too!!! :) )

]]> By: Manda http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-8970 Manda Fri, 18 Nov 2011 16:34:28 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-8970 Oh my God!!! I really laughed out loud after reading the article, my girl is 3.5 and she has been potty trained since she was 2 but she has been resisting pooing for some time now. I am so tired and exhausted. I try really hard but nothing seems to works... :( Oh my God!!! I really laughed out loud after reading the article, my girl is 3.5 and she has been potty trained since she was 2 but she has been resisting pooing for some time now. I am so tired and exhausted. I try really hard but nothing seems to works… :(

]]> By: artgirl68 http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-8411 artgirl68 Mon, 17 Oct 2011 20:00:16 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-8411 Thank you, thank you, thank you for blogging about your kid's pooping issues. You could have easily been writing about my kiddo and some of the conversations we've had with her. I'm not against using bribery but I'd never thought of offering a corresponding amount of cake. Brilliant! I'm off to bake a cake now! Thank you, thank you, thank you for blogging about your kid’s pooping issues. You could have easily been writing about my kiddo and some of the conversations we’ve had with her. I’m not against using bribery but I’d never thought of offering a corresponding amount of cake. Brilliant! I’m off to bake a cake now!

]]> By: Katie http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-7644 Katie Mon, 12 Sep 2011 19:42:51 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-7644 I googled my issue into the search engine and it came up with this article in the first line. My daughter will be 4 in Feb. and I am having a hell of a time getting her to poop. I have done the same run around with the constipation,GlycoLax and pull up. Its the same problem but its my husband who is the one to interfear with the pooping process. He would rather have me change 4-6 skid-marked diapers then make her sit there till she goes. I am sooo going to try the book,poop,reward thing and see if it works on this stubborn kid because I am sick of the fight to change the diaper because she doesnt want to poop or change her diaper when she does a little. Thanks for posting this! It honestly gives me some hope that she wont have this issue when shes 45!! I googled my issue into the search engine and it came up with this article in the first line. My daughter will be 4 in Feb. and I am having a hell of a time getting her to poop. I have done the same run around with the constipation,GlycoLax and pull up. Its the same problem but its my husband who is the one to interfear with the pooping process. He would rather have me change 4-6 skid-marked diapers then make her sit there till she goes. I am sooo going to try the book,poop,reward thing and see if it works on this stubborn kid because I am sick of the fight to change the diaper because she doesnt want to poop or change her diaper when she does a little. Thanks for posting this! It honestly gives me some hope that she wont have this issue when shes 45!!

]]> By: Kirsten http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-7063 Kirsten Fri, 19 Aug 2011 02:19:12 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-7063 Well...you DID ask me to keep you posted...the boy decided that going once on the potty was enough and we've had a tough go since my last comment. We're going through a big move right now and things have been hectic to say the least. So once again I found myself trying to come up with something to do to convince him he had to go on the potty. So...while this is probably not recommended by any child therapist etc...I told him that when people fail at their job...they get fired and replaced by someone who can. I showed him a picture of Nanny McPhee (he's never seen the movie and has no idea who she is) and told him that she would replace me if I couldn't get him to go poo on the potty. Well today he actually went again! It took hours of convincing. He actually held it for a day and a half (check out my blog to see the picture I used - that probably had a lot to do with it) but he was no match for all of the fiber I fed him and he just couldn't hold it any longer. He had to pee and he was relaxed enough that it just came out. We were so happy again! Unfortunately we went out for the afternoon and when we came back I went to remind him that if he had to go again he had to do it in the potty...I was too late. He already went. He was pretty remorseful. I asked him if he just forgot? He said "I was wrong". I tried not to make him feel too badly and asked him to try again tomorrow. Here's hoping it keeps working. I'll just show him the nasty picture again when he wakes up!! I'm also sticking with the no pants policy when he wakes up since that seems to be the "magic hour". .-= Kirsten´s lastest blog ..<a href="http://walk-in-our-shoes.blogspot.com/2011/08/nanny-mcphee-i-praise-thee.html">Nanny McPhee I praise thee!</a> =-. Well…you DID ask me to keep you posted…the boy decided that going once on the potty was enough and we’ve had a tough go since my last comment. We’re going through a big move right now and things have been hectic to say the least. So once again I found myself trying to come up with something to do to convince him he had to go on the potty. So…while this is probably not recommended by any child therapist etc…I told him that when people fail at their job…they get fired and replaced by someone who can. I showed him a picture of Nanny McPhee (he’s never seen the movie and has no idea who she is) and told him that she would replace me if I couldn’t get him to go poo on the potty. Well today he actually went again! It took hours of convincing. He actually held it for a day and a half (check out my blog to see the picture I used – that probably had a lot to do with it) but he was no match for all of the fiber I fed him and he just couldn’t hold it any longer. He had to pee and he was relaxed enough that it just came out. We were so happy again! Unfortunately we went out for the afternoon and when we came back I went to remind him that if he had to go again he had to do it in the potty…I was too late. He already went. He was pretty remorseful. I asked him if he just forgot? He said “I was wrong”. I tried not to make him feel too badly and asked him to try again tomorrow. Here’s hoping it keeps working. I’ll just show him the nasty picture again when he wakes up!! I’m also sticking with the no pants policy when he wakes up since that seems to be the “magic hour”.
.-= Kirsten´s lastest blog ..Nanny McPhee I praise thee! =-.

]]> By: Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-6768 Straight Dope Dad Sun, 07 Aug 2011 15:25:53 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-6768 Awesome! Congratulations. No matter how tempting, don't backtrack and stay the course. If you cave in or slip up it could reverse course for a long time. It's not easy to replace an old pattern. Keep us posted Awesome! Congratulations. No matter how tempting, don’t backtrack and stay the course. If you cave in or slip up it could reverse course for a long time. It’s not easy to replace an old pattern. Keep us posted

]]> By: Kirsten http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-6766 Kirsten Sun, 07 Aug 2011 14:33:43 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-6766 HOLY SH%T! It worked!!! When he woke up this morning I took his pull-up and jammie bottoms off and had him tour around the house Commando. I also hauled out his little potty and put it right at his computer desk (where he seems to go a lot in a diaper because he's relaxed). If he moved to the tv I moved the potty seat. He was verbally pretty resistant to it and asked me numerous times to stop talking (the boys learn that a young age I guess - haha). Anyway I told him not to poo on the floor and positioned myself so that I was always asking him if he had to go. I fed him an apple (works every time) some toast and milk. I could tell he was holding it so I was a bit worried about creating issues in that regard but...he's such a regular little fella even he couldn't hold it in forever. I noticed he started moving the potty seat around on his own when no one was paying attention. I urged everyone to leave him be and not hound him. What do you know? When everyone was busy doing something around the corner...he did it!!! He was pretty proud of himself too. We made a big deal about...gave him all the stuff we promised him over the last few months (with the exception of the Ice Cream Monster Truck from the Cars Movie which will come when he proves he'll keep doing it). So freaking happy right now I could BURST!!! Thanks for the laugh and the idea...fingers crossed we can keep the momentum going!! .-= Kirsten´s lastest blog ..<a href="http://walk-in-our-shoes.blogspot.com/2011/08/potty-training-aka-psychological.html">Potty training a.k.a. psychological warfare</a> =-. HOLY SH%T! It worked!!! When he woke up this morning I took his pull-up and jammie bottoms off and had him tour around the house Commando. I also hauled out his little potty and put it right at his computer desk (where he seems to go a lot in a diaper because he’s relaxed). If he moved to the tv I moved the potty seat. He was verbally pretty resistant to it and asked me numerous times to stop talking (the boys learn that a young age I guess – haha). Anyway I told him not to poo on the floor and positioned myself so that I was always asking him if he had to go. I fed him an apple (works every time) some toast and milk. I could tell he was holding it so I was a bit worried about creating issues in that regard but…he’s such a regular little fella even he couldn’t hold it in forever. I noticed he started moving the potty seat around on his own when no one was paying attention. I urged everyone to leave him be and not hound him. What do you know? When everyone was busy doing something around the corner…he did it!!! He was pretty proud of himself too. We made a big deal about…gave him all the stuff we promised him over the last few months (with the exception of the Ice Cream Monster Truck from the Cars Movie which will come when he proves he’ll keep doing it). So freaking happy right now I could BURST!!! Thanks for the laugh and the idea…fingers crossed we can keep the momentum going!!
.-= Kirsten´s lastest blog ..Potty training a.k.a. psychological warfare =-.

]]> By: Kirsten http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-6755 Kirsten Sun, 07 Aug 2011 03:52:52 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-6755 Holy crap (har har)...I can hardly see my computer screen through my tears after laughing so hard at this post! I found it while researching methods to get my 3 1/2 year old son to poo on the potty. I just wrote a post on my own blog about how I'm freaking out about it and how he's starting kindergarten (we live in Canada - as long as they are 4 by December 31st they start school in September of the year they turn 4 - does that make sense? anywho...) I've tried bribery, praise, humiliation, guilt etc... you name it. I'm under pressure because I don't know if they'll let him start kindergarten if he doesn't have this poo thing down pat. So now I'm the one "crapping" and he's blissfully unaware. I've tried just asking him why he won't and he just says "I don't know?" He pees on the potty like a pro...but poo? No way! Normally he's pretty regular and doesn't have any constipation problems. He did poo once on the potty but for some reason (possibly anxiety) he had a hard poo so it took a long time to "happen" and it probably didn't feel great. I also know he likes the way his pull-ups feel rather than underwear because he has told me as much. I told him he could keep wearing the friggen things if he likes them so much...I just want the "stuff" in the potty. Obviously not in those exact words but you get the idea. I've bribed with food, toys, trips etc... I've tried taking away things he holds dear...none of it mattered. I'm thinking the naked thing is the way to go. I'm going to give it a try tomorrow. Thanks for that tip. Also for you addition logic of giving a choice. You can do this...or you can do this. Maybe that gives a sense of control? Which I KNOW they love! If that fails...at least you gave me a good laugh. There's always that =) .-= Kirsten´s lastest blog ..<a href="http://walk-in-our-shoes.blogspot.com/2011/08/potty-training-aka-psychological.html">Potty training a.k.a. psychological warfare</a> =-. Holy crap (har har)…I can hardly see my computer screen through my tears after laughing so hard at this post! I found it while researching methods to get my 3 1/2 year old son to poo on the potty. I just wrote a post on my own blog about how I’m freaking out about it and how he’s starting kindergarten (we live in Canada – as long as they are 4 by December 31st they start school in September of the year they turn 4 – does that make sense? anywho…) I’ve tried bribery, praise, humiliation, guilt etc… you name it. I’m under pressure because I don’t know if they’ll let him start kindergarten if he doesn’t have this poo thing down pat. So now I’m the one “crapping” and he’s blissfully unaware.

I’ve tried just asking him why he won’t and he just says “I don’t know?” He pees on the potty like a pro…but poo? No way! Normally he’s pretty regular and doesn’t have any constipation problems. He did poo once on the potty but for some reason (possibly anxiety) he had a hard poo so it took a long time to “happen” and it probably didn’t feel great. I also know he likes the way his pull-ups feel rather than underwear because he has told me as much. I told him he could keep wearing the friggen things if he likes them so much…I just want the “stuff” in the potty. Obviously not in those exact words but you get the idea.

I’ve bribed with food, toys, trips etc… I’ve tried taking away things he holds dear…none of it mattered.

I’m thinking the naked thing is the way to go. I’m going to give it a try tomorrow. Thanks for that tip. Also for you addition logic of giving a choice. You can do this…or you can do this. Maybe that gives a sense of control? Which I KNOW they love! If that fails…at least you gave me a good laugh. There’s always that =)
.-= Kirsten´s lastest blog ..Potty training a.k.a. psychological warfare =-.

]]> By: Melanie http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-6398 Melanie Tue, 19 Jul 2011 11:49:10 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-6398 What you described is what's been going on in my house to a T for the past year - my daughter is now 39months. Thanks for posting, it's nice to read my daughter isn't alone in this problem and that a child with the same problem has overcome it. Somehow I have to find the strength to hold my ground, not give in and find the thing that will motivate her. It might be cheese cake! thanks again. Feeling desperate, your blog has given a glimmer of hope. What you described is what’s been going on in my house to a T for the past year – my daughter is now 39months. Thanks for posting, it’s nice to read my daughter isn’t alone in this problem and that a child with the same problem has overcome it. Somehow I have to find the strength to hold my ground, not give in and find the thing that will motivate her. It might be cheese cake! thanks again. Feeling desperate, your blog has given a glimmer of hope.

]]> By: Melinda http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-5548 Melinda Sat, 21 May 2011 10:35:08 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-5548 I am so surprised that there are other people out there with the same problem. I thought we were all alone with this issue. None of my friends kids have gone through this problem but my 3 1/2 year old has been having issues with his bowels for 18 months even before we tried to toilet train him. He pees in the toilet fine and has done so for about a year but as for poos... no luck. At the moment i can get him to poo in a nappy while he is in his room, however it is always a huge drama resulting in him kicking and screaming and I usually have to use a suppository. Sometimes he won't go even after I have used a suppository. I have tried so many things to entice him to poo. I have bribed him with new toys lollies and even cake I have told him I will through out him precious toy puppy and his Woody doll I have tried sticker charts but he just doesn't seem to care. Every second day at least there is a huge drama over it all. It is so emotionally draining for both him and I. Another thing i tried was telling him that if he didn't poo then he would have to go to bed. Well the other day I noticed he was holding it and I said "OK you need to poo come on then" His reply was "No Mummy i'm tired I want to go to sleep" If I don't keep on going in and checking on him he just falls asleep hiding under his blanket. Well today I had enough I put him on the toilet. (this is not the first time I tried) I loved how you told your daughter she would have to stand there naked until she pooped. So I used that. I said that he would have to stay naked until he pooped on the toilet. He cried on the toilet for about 10 min but sure enough HE POOPED!!!! He was still crying but both my husband and I gave him so much praise. We have our fingers crossed for next time. I really hope he does it again. Thank you so much for your ideas. I am so surprised that there are other people out there with the same problem. I thought we were all alone with this issue. None of my friends kids have gone through this problem but my 3 1/2 year old has been having issues with his bowels for 18 months even before we tried to toilet train him. He pees in the toilet fine and has done so for about a year but as for poos… no luck. At the moment i can get him to poo in a nappy while he is in his room, however it is always a huge drama resulting in him kicking and screaming and I usually have to use a suppository. Sometimes he won’t go even after I have used a suppository. I have tried so many things to entice him to poo. I have bribed him with new toys lollies and even cake I have told him I will through out him precious toy puppy and his Woody doll I have tried sticker charts but he just doesn’t seem to care. Every second day at least there is a huge drama over it all. It is so emotionally draining for both him and I.
Another thing i tried was telling him that if he didn’t poo then he would have to go to bed. Well the other day I noticed he was holding it and I said
“OK you need to poo come on then”
His reply was “No Mummy i’m tired I want to go to sleep”
If I don’t keep on going in and checking on him he just falls asleep hiding under his blanket.
Well today I had enough
I put him on the toilet. (this is not the first time I tried)
I loved how you told your daughter she would have to stand there naked until she pooped.
So I used that. I said that he would have to stay naked until he pooped on the toilet.
He cried on the toilet for about 10 min but sure enough HE POOPED!!!!
He was still crying but both my husband and I gave him so much praise.
We have our fingers crossed for next time. I really hope he does it again.
Thank you so much for your ideas.

]]> By: Tina http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-5224 Tina Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:36:46 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-5224 me too! me too!

]]> By: Tina http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-5223 Tina Tue, 19 Apr 2011 17:36:00 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-5223 As it is Easter time (time lie to my 5 and 2 yr olds about the Easter Bunny), I continue my search regarding parental opinions about Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth fairy, etc and I came across your blog. I can't help sitting here and continuing to read! This entry was another joy to read. I have a degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Child and Youth Care and have 9 years experience in Early Childhood Education. Parents are always looking for advice on how to handle certain aspects of their childrens growth and development. There are certainly methods and guidelines I would recommend for every child however there is definately not one set of rules. Every child (and parenting style) is different but Behavior Modification Techniques will only work if it is motivating for both the parent and child. Meaning that if a child is unmotivated by a certain technique it will not work and likewise, if a parent doesn't really accept a technique or idea and "own" it or give up too soon (sabotaging it's effectiveness), ultimately it won't work either. I have found that following my gut instinct is often the best technique (sometimes your child needs a different approach) and this seems to be what you did here as well. Love the blog and will definitely continue reading... As it is Easter time (time lie to my 5 and 2 yr olds about the Easter Bunny), I continue my search regarding parental opinions about Santa, the Easter Bunny, the Tooth fairy, etc and I came across your blog. I can’t help sitting here and continuing to read! This entry was another joy to read. I have a degree in Psychology with an emphasis in Child and Youth Care and have 9 years experience in Early Childhood Education. Parents are always looking for advice on how to handle certain aspects of their childrens growth and development. There are certainly methods and guidelines I would recommend for every child however there is definately not one set of rules. Every child (and parenting style) is different but Behavior Modification Techniques will only work if it is motivating for both the parent and child. Meaning that if a child is unmotivated by a certain technique it will not work and likewise, if a parent doesn’t really accept a technique or idea and “own” it or give up too soon (sabotaging it’s effectiveness), ultimately it won’t work either. I have found that following my gut instinct is often the best technique (sometimes your child needs a different approach) and this seems to be what you did here as well. Love the blog and will definitely continue reading…

]]> By: Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-5121 Straight Dope Dad Sun, 27 Mar 2011 04:14:57 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-5121 As long as he can understand what you're saying it should be fine. He doesn't need to answer back verbally. Nods and body language go a long way. He just needs to understand what the plan is. I'm sure he's eager to overcome this pooping issue as well. As long as he can understand what you’re saying it should be fine. He doesn’t need to answer back verbally. Nods and body language go a long way. He just needs to understand what the plan is. I’m sure he’s eager to overcome this pooping issue as well.

]]> By: Lauren http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-5120 Lauren Sun, 27 Mar 2011 03:40:54 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-5120 Same problem with my son. He's 4 yrs old now and resists pooping completely. This method looks pretty great, however, a big problem with all of this is that he has issues with his speech, so we can't talk about it together. Any suggestions on how I can go about this with a kid that wont talk to me about it? Same problem with my son. He’s 4 yrs old now and resists pooping completely. This method looks pretty great, however, a big problem with all of this is that he has issues with his speech, so we can’t talk about it together. Any suggestions on how I can go about this with a kid that wont talk to me about it?

]]> By: Straight Dope Dad http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-4067 Straight Dope Dad Fri, 17 Dec 2010 00:04:39 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-4067 Wow. That's friggin' amazing! I glad it worked out. that's quite an unusual success story for her age. Putting it her room was a smart move as that's where a child is most comfortable. Wow. That’s friggin’ amazing! I glad it worked out. that’s quite an unusual success story for her age. Putting it her room was a smart move as that’s where a child is most comfortable.

]]> By: Elizabeth http://www.straightdopedad.com/get-thee-to-a-potty-an-unorthodox-solution-to-a-childs-persistent-pooping-problem-and-toilet-training-issues/comment-page-1/#comment-4066 Elizabeth Thu, 16 Dec 2010 23:48:31 +0000 http://www.straightdopedad.com/blog/?p=8#comment-4066 So, my two year old has decided on her own to poop in the potty. I did not push it at all on her. Just promises of rewards and leaving her potty in her room at night. She has pooped in it almost every night on her own after stories and after she is alone. She relishes the amount of stickers she gets to put on her chart. She is a bit of a picky eater but mixing prune juice with reguluar juice and water keeps it good to go for her! I think leaving the potty in her room where she has privacy was key for her. It was something she had to do on her own. So, my two year old has decided on her own to poop in the potty. I did not push it at all on her. Just promises of rewards and leaving her potty in her room at night. She has pooped in it almost every night on her own after stories and after she is alone. She relishes the amount of stickers she gets to put on her chart. She is a bit of a picky eater but mixing prune juice with reguluar juice and water keeps it good to go for her! I think leaving the potty in her room where she has privacy was key for her. It was something she had to do on her own.

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