Best way to deal with accidents (Potty Training)

Question

Hi

My boy has been potty trained from the day he turned 2 and has done exceptionally well, he is now 2 years and 5 months and is strting to have accidents.

Think its maybe a part of the terrible two's as he know he should go but refuses and then has an accident. He knows its naughty and tells himself this, but if I tell him off he doesn't listen and answers back.

Suggestions on how to tackle him when he does this please - I've tried the clean up your own mess theory but he likes to clean!

Many Thanks x

Answer 1

Oh, no... don't tell the boy it's "naughty!"  You will damage him with that thought.

Everyone has accidents.  Have him clean it up.  So what if he LIKES to clean?  You don't have to make the kid miserable to have him learn.

Don't TACKLE the kid, either!  My goodness!

If he has an accident, have him clean it up and ignore it.  He's only 2 yrs. 5 mos. old.

Answer 2

You have to make sure that the child is open to listening to you.  I think that you should start a rewarding system so that he knows he has done good when he goes to the potty and that he has done bad if he doesn't and you should also make him clean himself up while watching meticulously so that he won't get any of the fecies in his mouth or eyes.  If he has an accident and you always give him a "goodie" the next time he asks for one say honey we are not going to have a goodie today and walk away.  If asks again say Sweetheart I told you that we were not going to have a goodie today.  If he comes back and starts crying saying I want a goodie you should then tell him that if he doesn't go to the potty he will not get a goodie and that if he does then you will give him a goodie.  I suggest a reward system because it always motivates children to do well if they are going to get what they want in the end.  It also shows them how to work for what they want.  If he keeps having accidents you may want to take him to the doctor and see if it's a medical condition, which I doubt he probably just needs to get back in the swing of things.  Be patient and he will get it again.

Answer 3

This is soooo common, so you are not alone. It can be extremely frustrating for mum, but the key is not to react! Seriously. Do not make your son feel like he is naughty for doing it, doing so will only make him feel anxious & all the good work you have already done will be for nothing. Stay cheery (even if you feel like screaming). Smile at him, say "oh dear, never mind. Maybe tomorrow we can go all day without having an accident, & we will have a special treat". When he does go all day without an accident, take him to feed the ducks or to the park. Let him know that your treat has made you very happy & thank him for allowing you to have a treat. Go over board with the praise. He will feel like he has accomplished something really big, has made you happy & made him feel like a big boy. He may only be 2 years old, but he isn't daft!

Answer 4

My son is the same age and is doing the same thing. What I have found to be working is telling him that he can't wee on Bob or Lion, or what ever motif is on the front of his pants. This works well, but he gets too engrossed in things and forgets. So I just keep reminding him at the moment.

Answer 5

Don't make a big deal out of it ..seriously the more you make a big deal out of it and tell him off for it the more he's gonna do it..i found that out with my own kids...just tell him oh nevermind lets go get cleaned up and he will sooner rather than later get bored with doing it and go back to the potty....

Answer 6

It is common for children to regress at some point after potty training and since your son potty trained so young I wouldn't be surprised. Don't make a big deal out of it. Ask him where he should go potty and ask him to tell you next time so he can go to the bathroom. Also have him change his own clothes. Don't make him clean up the mess on the floor but hold him responsible for his own body. He'll get back on track. Don't worry, just keep reminding him to use the potty when he needs to go, and if you don't use rewards try one, stickers work well, make a chart and when he fills it up he gets a special prize (a new toy, a special dinner, go to a park or play place) or m&m's each time he goes. Wish you the best of luck! Hang in there!  

Answer 7

why do you tell him of? if he has an acident then just tell him he has to start to go when he feels lke it and dont make a big fuss over it

Answer 8

Its probably best to say something like 'oh dear, not again, lets clean you up' and make no big deal out of it, for the child not to have a bad reaction is very boring and he might give up

Another way is to have a reward chart, say he gets a star? every day he's dry, at the end of the week if he's got 7 stars he gets something like a new book etc?

Answer 9

if he has been fully potty trained then started having accidents months later, i would say he needs to start getting punished for it.  tell him how upset you are then put him in time out.  my son did the same exact thing and after putting him in timeout and yelling at him he stopped with in a couple days.