https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Sat, 25 Apr 2026 16:41:16 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/4-year-old-wont-use-the-restroom-at-school#post-2422601 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 18:58:15 +0000 JoyfulKiwi 2422601@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I teach pre-k and the bathrooms should be clean. I think a talk with the teachers could help. If it's really smelly, maybe they can put in a scented plug-in or something similar. If it's not smelly, they'll need to get to the real root of his issue. But I agree that the teachers need to be proactive in helping figure out a plan. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/4-year-old-wont-use-the-restroom-at-school#post-2422596 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 18:53:17 +0000 BananaPancakes 2422596@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>We had a similar issue at the beginning of year because he was uncomfortable going in with everyone in the bathroom at the same time. They have a closed stall, but when all the boys were in there, it was pretty loud and he couldn't relax enough to go. Both of his teachers said it was actually really common at the beginning of every school year for lots of different reasons, but assured me they'd handle it. They started taking him alone it with just his best friend so that he could figure it out and then gradually worked him up to using it with the whole class. He's fine now. </p> <p>I think it's going to take one of the teachers to step up and figure out a plan. As long as they know what he says the issue is (the bathroom smelling), I'd hope they would try and work on the problem with him. I doubt it would take more than a couple of trips with them and a plan for him to relax. Public bathrooms can be scary and preschool bathrooms can get pretty gross by the time school is out every day. Or maybe show him how to stick his nose into his shirt when he's in there. :) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/4-year-old-wont-use-the-restroom-at-school#post-2422432 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 16:23:51 +0000 Autumnmama79 2422432@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>I've seen this problem with students in the past. A couple of options:</p> <p>1. Ask the school of they'll do a demystification of bathroom cleaning with the school janitor so LO knows that it is in fact clean</p> <p>2. Give him his own set of wipes so he can wipe the toilet before using</p> <p>3. Ensure he has lots of practice using public washrooms. Make a point of using them when out and about, even if you don't have to and drag him in with you/DH</p> <p>Also reminding him that its big boy behaviour to use the potty at school and not all bathrooms smell the same, etc, etc. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/4-year-old-wont-use-the-restroom-at-school#post-2422322 Thu, 14 Jan 2016 15:36:00 +0000 Mrs. Pickles 2422322@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Ok so we're struggling with my son and not using the restroom at school. He will either hold it and wait until school is out (he goes 3 days a week for 3 hours) or have an accident in class. It's disruptive and we even got a teacher call last night. He never has a problem any where else, he tells us the bathrooms stink so he doesn't want to use them.. Anyone experience anything similar? Help? </p>