Oh Crap! Potty Training

The biggest marker for potential constipation is that your child is
over three and sincerely seems to be trying—I mean over an
extended period of time, not a few days of potty training—and they
show remorse at accidents. They seem to honestly try to make it, but
sometimes the poop comes too fast. Or whether they make it to the
potty in time seems completely random. What I’ve come to learn is
this sort of counterintuitive constipation really messes with a child’s
ability to feel the poop is coming. If you have a little one over the age
of three who does seem to be trying and can’t get the poop in the
potty consistently, I feel like an x-ray is a pretty easy fix before things
get worse. There is also a program called Soiling Solutions for
children over three and a half. I hear wonderful things about this
program, so though I haven’t personally used it, I feel very confident
in recommending it.
But there is another variety of the older child that gets ugly. This
is the child who is being resistant in an “eff you” kind of way. This
child will look right at you while he’s peeing on the floor. You will
know if you have this variety. It will feel aggressive, and you will feel
hostage to your child. This behavior needs to be addressed head on.
This is not funny and can lead to serious issues later on. You must
deal with this as behavior and behavior only. Do whatever you would
do as if he looked you right in the eyes and said, “Eff you.” ’Cause
that’s kind of what he’s doing. I highly suggest contacting a family
therapist if this is happening. This actually is not at all about potty
training. I do think it’s serious, and I do think you should seek help
and not take it lightly.
Bottom line: when you have a child over three, potty training