https://boards.hellobee.com/ Pregnancy, Baby and Parenting blog, by Hellobee en Thu, 23 Apr 2026 02:46:10 +0000 https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889801 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 15:22:08 +0000 Kaohinani 2889801@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@MrsSRS: Thank you for your suggestion. 😁 I had been discussing with PeachyKeen how she is correct in that I should focus more on empowerment while [gently] holding G accountable for his accidents. I believe that you have helped to cement in my mind that those 2 actions (from DH and me) are just as important as G's ultimate potty-training success. Thanks! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889787 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 13:20:55 +0000 MrsSRS 2889787@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>What about putting less energy into it? That's a big part of the empowerment. If he has an accident make him take off the soiled clothes himself. Then a quick, cool rinse standing in the tub. Then he puts the clothes in the laundry and wipes off wherever he was playing. No praise. Just matter of fact "if you choose to pee or poop in your pants you have to help clean it." </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889757 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 10:37:06 +0000 peachykeen 2889757@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: Don't get me wrong - I know I've expressed some disappointment/frustration with her when she's peed several times in a row and I KNOW she can do better, but it's just something DH and I am for and it does seem to help. </p> <p>And I hear you on different kids - DD1 potty trained pretty easily at 22-23m old and DD2 is currently 23m and I don't see it going as easily this time around :wink: She's interested but she's a feisty little thing! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889748 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 10:04:07 +0000 Kaohinani 2889748@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@peachykeen: Thank you SO much! :heart: I love (and admire) how you hold your DD accountable for her action/accident without making her feel guilty for making a mistake. To respond- G was born Dec 31, 2014. He is a bit immature and is definitely "rough and tumble" although immensely intelligent ... definitely the opposite of my DD (receptive, emotional, cautious) who successfully trained at 2-1/2. 🤦‍♀️ Different kid, different personality, different strengths, different weaknesses. Potty training is DEFINITELY one of them. 😂 IDK if he actually "gets upset" when he makes a mistake, rather, he is "uncomfortable" in wet or soiled clothing so he feels compelled to share in order for me to ameliorate the situation. 🙄 I do agree, I probably need to spend more time empowering him rather than incentivizing potty use. I truly appreciate that you shared what has worked for you and brought to my attention that empowerment may be the missing link. 🙏💕 </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889741 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 09:45:26 +0000 peachykeen 2889741@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: Is he a Jan 2015 baby? My daughter will be 5 soon (Aug 2014 baby) and by 4.25/4.5 she could take a lot more responsibility for her potty actions. I know girls tend to be more "ahead" than boys in this way, but when she had regressions (we actually have had huge issues regarding this since I went on bed rest with my 2nd pregnancy back when she was 2.5 - she'd sometimes have 4 pee accidents in one day).</p> <p>Without showing a lot of emotion (disappointment would end up making her more stressed about it), I would make her<br /> *immediately change her undies/pants (going upstairs to get new undies, though I'd sometimes help her depending on the situation)<br /> *take the dirty clothes to the laundry room<br /> *sit on the potty to make sure she didn't have any more pee</p> <p>Our issues have been more related to pee, but making her sit on the potty before we go anywhere (even when she insists she doesn't have to go) and periodically throughout the day has helped because she realizes that when she goes several days without accidents, I don't force her to try as much. </p> <p>Overall, as she's gotten older I've tried to mentally empower her that she is in control of this and she CAN do this. She will make mistakes and we will try again, but it is in her control and she is a big girl now. We got to a point around 4/4.25 when she insisted she couldn't do it and asked me how I did it when I was her age, so this part was particularly effective over time.</p> <p>Hugs - this is so frustrating but it will get better! :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889740 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 09:37:25 +0000 Kaohinani 2889740@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: FANTASTIC! Thank you SOOOOOOOO much for recommending. 🙏 :heart: It is in my Amazon basket as I type! (* I wonder if it will be a Prime Day special? 🤔) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889736 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 09:20:49 +0000 crazydoglady 2889736@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: The Tot on the Pot is pricey but it's perfect for kids who have serious FOMO because it makes potty training fun. We tried it after 2 other failed attempts which involved tears from everyone. My sister used it to potty train her autistic 4.5 year old, too. Basically, it includes an anatomically correct doll, a potty for the doll, a board book, parent manual and activity cards for when the kids go. Worth EVERY penny. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889721 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 08:22:53 +0000 Kaohinani 2889721@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Pollywog: Thank you for responding. I do keep a potty in the livingroom (* far corner by a bookcase) and G sometimes uses it, but, he prefers to play with it 😖 and use the special toilet seat I bought for the downstairs bathroom. For some reason, he doesn't really like using the master bathroom or the one he shares with his sister 🤦‍♀️. It is frustrating. I do like your ideas of utilizing Daniel Tiger (G likes DT) and the idea that it should be mandatory to use the toilet before we go ANYWHERE. Thank you :heart: .</p> <p>[attach=9021/19/pu0nz3.450x600.20190702_091415.jpg]<br /> (* Corner potty that G avoids. 😂)</p> <p>[attach=9021/19/pu0nz4.450x600.20190702_091648.jpg]<br /> (* special toddler potty seat that is affixed to our toilet, which he prefers) </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889719 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 08:03:18 +0000 Pollywog 2889719@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My kid also doesn't want to miss out. The two big things that have helped are having a little potty in our play room. There's zero excuse not to go because he doesn't have to stop playing. Daniel Tiger also helped.</p> <p>For outings, we have to try before we get in the car and he has to go into the potty with me. I also will stop whenever he needs, even if it isn't convenient </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889697 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 05:53:27 +0000 Kaohinani 2889697@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@caitcat: Thank you so much! :heart: I would have never dreamed of generating an "All the Places to Go" potty book ... I will definitely be trying this. 👍 Also, GREAT to know that CrazyDogLady's idea (Tot on the Pot) was a winner. I will be investing in one. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889696 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 05:38:43 +0000 caitcat 2889696@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Also, we used that doll/potty too to help with potty training in general, and that thing was a lifesaver. I wish I’d known about it when we first started! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889695 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 05:37:39 +0000 caitcat 2889695@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>My four year old backslides with accidents every time we travel or she does something out of her routine. She definitely worries about missing out on something fun, and will resist going at. all. costs. This idea sounds nuts as I write it out, but it’s helped us a bunch recently. We made her a book of “all the places she can go potty” - I went around and got photos of her pointing to bathrooms at relatives’ houses, church, stores, libraries, etc. and printed them in a little book for her that we read before a trip or before she does a day camp or extra class or anything “different” as a reminder that there are bathrooms everywhere and it’s part of her job while she’s there to find them and use them when she needs to. </p> <p>Anyway, it doesn’t really help the full scope of what you’re working through, but in case it sparks an idea, thought I’d share! </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889694 Tue, 02 Jul 2019 05:20:23 +0000 Kaohinani 2889694@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@crazydoglady: Is that the tiny doll with the potty that models proper pottying for a child? I will definitely check it out -- such a good idea! Thank you. :heart: </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889689 Mon, 01 Jul 2019 23:51:42 +0000 crazydoglady 2889689@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>@Kaohinani: Buy Tot on the Pot from Amazon. Seriously. </p> https://boards.hellobee.com/topic/my-4-year-old-ds-is-regressing-potty-edition#post-2889675 Mon, 01 Jul 2019 19:06:49 +0000 Kaohinani 2889675@https://boards.hellobee.com/ <p>Hello, Helpful Bees! 🐝</p> <p>I need some advice for working through a potty training regression with my son 👱‍♂️. Some background:<br /> • He is a "young" four. In that, I mean, he was born NYE 2014 and is very hyper, playful, and curious. 😂 He is a class clown and loves attention.<br /> • G has been potty trained 9x since he was 2. (YES, YOU READ THAT CORRECTLY! 🙄😶😶😶) 95% day success using the toilet but had yet to master nights ... He regresses when we have company for an extended stay, we visit family (in another state) for more than a couple days, OR when he attends day camp.<br /> • G's latest regression has been after my parents came for a visit for a week (before my surgery) and we were taking day trips in which toilets were not always readily available/accessible on-demand. He would wet his pants so we would change his clothes (AND I began to put a pull-up on OVER his training undies). After they left, he would still occasionally wet ... even at home. 🤦‍♀️<br /> • NOW, G has begun to hide to poop 💩 [in his pants]. I believe he is doing it because he does not want to "miss out" on anything. In any case, I can not always "catch him" and place him on toilet before he goes. 😖</p> <p>I am so frustrated as I have [successfully] potty trained many children but G is a tough little nut to crack! </p> <p>I have tried:<br /> - making him go on a timer<br /> - positive reinforcement (using his Garmin Vivofit JR to track his potty use, earning special books, and Kindle time)<br /> - bribery (sugarfree lollipops)<br /> - making the bathroom a comfortable place (* "potty books," magnadoodle, water doodle, tiny radio, etc)</p> <p>I am losing my mind 🧠 and so tired 😴 of cleaning up human waste messes from my little guy.<br /> Please, help me, 🐝 bees!<br /> TIA!<br /> - Kaohinani 💋 </p>