4 yr old having accidents

[mom2twinboys]

My 4 year old is still having accidents. He has both wetting and pooping accidents, but it's the pooping that has me most frustrated. When I ask him why he didn't go to the potty, he says he was playing. They have been potty trained for a year and a half now. Should we still be dealing with this? And what happens when he starts Kindergarten next year? I'm worried he will be so embarrassed. Any advice would be great!

Mom2twinboys

[Steph211]

Is this new behavior or is it a change? Like was he fine with using the toilet/potty but only recently has regressed and is having accidents, or was he never really fully there in the first place? It could be he's not really ready yet. Playing is more important and the messy pants isn't such a big deal to him. I'm sure it's driving you nuts though! Keep in mind that kindergarten is a looooooong way off right now. I would be very surprised if this behavior keeps up till then. YOu can check with your pedi about it, but I'm guessing your son is well within the normal range.

If he was using the toilet/potty regularly though and has since regressed, then maybe something is bothering him. Any thing going on with him or the family? If so, you might check in with your pedi about that. He might be stressed about something and is reacting to it.

Good luck!!!

[mom2twinboys]

He has done this off and on since he was potty trained. He will go 6 months ot so without having any accidents and then they start again. And after he does it he gets very embarassed and tries to clean it up himself, of course he makes a much bigger mess. But it breaks my heart that he gets embarassed but at the same time he knows he should stop playing and go potty. I am hoping that I can work with him consistently this summer before they start school in August. Thanks for the feedback. I think I will mention it to his Pedidatician at his next appt. Thanks again.

Mom2twinboys

[meems1965]

My son does this too. He is 4.5 years old so it frustrates me. It is when he is busy playing and it really doesnt seem to bother him. it is mostly at home but he just did it while we were waiting for his sister to be done with dance class and it was so bad there was a big stain on his pants. I was actually embarrassed. But he still does it. I really dont know why. I think it is laziness on his part. but sometimes I think for attention because of his baby brother who is 2 getting attention that he wants.

i wish I could give you some advice!

[hatchettwins]

I need some help. My son twin B is still pooping his pants. He is 3.5 years old and pooping in his pants doesn't bother him in the slightest. I am at the point where I am tired of cleaning out poopy pants from preschool. I have tried rewards. He and his brother twin A love love dinosaurs and I thought that by offering a dinosaur at the end of the day for going on the potty would cure or at least help but it doesn't. His brother is completely potty trained during the day. He freaks out if he messes his pants. We do complement B when he goes on the potty. Any suggestions? I want clean pants coming home from preschool!!!

________________________
Christine mom to fraternal twin boys
Benjamin and Alexander 3.5 years old

[Rudy]

IME you just have to wait it out :shrug:

Sorry that is a cruddy answer. My son just stopped doing it on his own mostly. If he poops at the same time every day you could try to be pro-active and give him something warm to drink and 10min later get a good book and have him sit on the potty.

[CHP'S MOM]

I agree with Nikki, you just have to wait it out.

Hunter still tries to hold it when he has to use the bathroom & he's 5 yrs old. He only goes #1 or #2 when he just can't hold it any more. He gets to the point where his whole body is stiff & he's shaking trying so hard to hold it. I asked his doctor about it last week, when I was afraid he'd given himself a hemorroid. The md said holding it like that was common in young boys. I've tried everything to get him to go, but nothing ever worked. He's not as bad as he was last year though, so I hope the end is near & he'll been out of this stage soon.
Sorry to seem so doom & gloom about it. I just had no luck, hope you find something that works for your ds though.

[hatchettwins]

Thanks for the responses! I am just an impatient person and I want twin B to be trained just like his brother. I hope that one of these days he decides to stop going in his pants. Thanks so much!:)

proud mom of Benjamin and Alexander
fraternal twins 3.5 years old