10 year old having issues in the bathroom?

Question

My son is 10 and he refuses to go number 2 in public. He will go places we are visiting for a while, but will not go at school or daycare. He also seems to think that he needs to take all of his clothes off to go. He has done this since he was a small boy. I thought he would grow out of it eventually, but he still insists on taking off his clothes. He also calls me to check and make sure his bottom is clean. I'm just wondering if anyone else has had this problem or does anyone have any ideas on what to do about this?

Answer 1

I think a lot of people do not like going number 2 in public. In fact, I would say that is pretty normal.

All through out my school years, I wouldn't go number 2 at school. I would hold it until I got home. To this day, I make 100% sure that I don't have to do number 2 before I leave the house. My husband is the same way as well. Why would you want to do number 2 in a public bathroom?

As far as the removing your clothes goes, I do know some people with that quirk. They just feel more comfortable with their clothes off. I don't think it is anything to worry about. We all have strange habits. As long as your son understands that when he is not at home it is not a good idea to remove all his clothes.

The one that I would be most worried about is that he still calls you to check if his backside is clean. At 10 years old, he should be able to clean himself adequately. Maybe he is calling you to check out of habit. It is best if you tell him that you think he is old enough to use the bathroom and clean himself up alone now.

Good luck!

Answer 2

Actually I agree with the person who said "mild case" of obsessive compulsive disorder (or perhaps even autism...I hate to throw the term around, BUT some mild case kids display this sort of behavior, too).  The odd part is that he asks you to check his bottom for you...usually OCD cases keep to themselves about keeping themselves in check.

Perhaps a child psychologist would be able to help you best on this one, because this "mild case" could turn escalate into other odd things.

Answer 3

Maybe you can talk to him and try to inquire a little more about why he won't go #2 in a public restroom.  My son is 5 and we recently took a trip to Disney.  He had a virus on the trip which gave him diarrhea for 3 days.  He was giving me a terribly hard time about using the public restroom and wanted to go back to the hotel room every single time he had to go potty (imagine that--yes, it was impossible to even think of it.)  He was having some type of panic attack or something every time the toilet flushed (b/c it was an automatic toilet and flushed the second he got off the seat) and b/c the flushing noises were so loud it really bothered his ears.  So,  I had to hold my hand over the sensor so it would not flush automatically, and waited until he left the stall for it to flush, and he tried covering his ears to block out some of the noise.  I hope he will grow out of this fear, but in the meantime, this works for us.  As far as taking his clothes off, thats perfectly fine at home, but he's 10 years old, he should be able to understand that he can't do that in a public restroom (its really not feasible and you can get so many germs from those places, I mean, where would he put his clothes?)  I would just put my foot down on that one.  You can buy the premoistened wipes that are flushable for adults or kids, and that will clean his bottom well.  He shouldn't need to call you into the bathroom if he uses them.

Answer 4

He needs immediate professional help

Answer 5

Maybe he could practice at home going number 2 without taking off all his clothes?

Answer 6

You may like to speak to your family GP, to get some practical advice.

It is quite normal to have some anxiety about opening your bowels in unfamiliar places, it's very common!  You need to feel very relaxed to open your bowels, which is why most people prefer to go in the comfort and safety of their own bathroom.  As for him taking his clothes off, well that just sounds like a habit he's gotten into, maybe it makes him feel more comfortable.  

As for him wanting you to make sure his bottom is clean, maybe you need to create a boundary there.  Unless you don't mind checking is butt every time he does a poo!  Provide him with some moistened wipes to clean himself, and let him know that you no long want to check his bottom for him.  

An occupational therapist can help him find more independence.

Answer 7

don't blame him. Heaps of people are like that (not wanting to use other toilets, not the taking of clothes, most grow out of that) Stop looking at his bottom, he is not growing up like he should be and becoming more independant. Put your foot down and tell him that he is no longer to take his clothes off

Answer 8

TELL HIM TO THINK OF SOMETHING THAT IS RELAXING SO THAT HE WILL NOT HOLD IT ALL DAY AT SCHOOL

Answer 9

Unless he is in pain don't worry too much about it. My husband is going to be 47 next month and he HATES going #2 in public as does his mom. My husband also likes to take his clothes off. I always thought this was strange, but I have gotten used to it. At least my son (We are in the middle of potty-training) will go where ever we are.

Answer 10

Sounds like a mild case of obsessive compulseive disorder to me.  You might wanna take him to a doctor that specialises in that sor of thing to get a 2nd opinion.

Answer 11

I have never heard of a 10 year old doing that kind of stuff, usually they get pretty independent. Goodluck