Why is my 6 year old peeing & pooping in his room?

Question

No only is he peeing on the floor, but he has smeared his p**p all over the walls, dresser and tv. He knows it's dissgusting and can make us sick. He says he's sorry and promised not to do it again, but still does. He's been punished each time he does it. I have even made him clean it up the last two times he did it. Please help me...I'm at my wits end. Does he need more attention, is he mad at me... Please help!!!

Answer 1

Okay that is nasty.  My daughter did that in her crib when she was only 6 months old.  I don't know what his problem is there might be a lot going on in his life right know.  I'm sorry I don't know how to help without knowing more.

Answer 2

That is truly digusting.

I think he is attention seeking, so let him know that that is not GOOD attention, that it is bad attention and you don't like it. It's great you've made him clean it up, but I think you should take away priviliges, and make him earn them back.

Answer 3

obviously he's doing it on purpose. give him more attention for the good things that he does. if that doesn't work, stick him in diapers and take him somewhere public

Answer 4

huh beat the h**l outa him

Answer 5

Put him in a diaper/pull up and make him wear it....like at night when you cant watch him all night long. If he takes it off make him wear a sleeper backwards so he can't up zip it.

OR you could threaten to do this...that might stop him

Answer 6

Take him to a psychiatrist.

Answer 7

wen i was little i did the same thing, i used to pee in the corners in my mothers "don't touch anything, off limits" dining room. its just  a phase. nothing to serious

Answer 8

take him to the doctor

or threaten to take him to the doctor if he doest stop(kids r always scared of docs and shots) if he still deosnt stop take him to a therapist

Answer 9

I really think you need professional help this is very odd behaviour for a child of that age......have school noticed anything....different behaviour......I d go to your Gp or you can ask to speak to the S.E.N.C.O at his school.

Answer 10

I think he needs some professional help.  That's not in the range of 'normal' behaviour for a child of that age.  Do keep it quiet from other siblings and people who may 'share' (gossip).  There is no need to add condemnation or shame.  It sounds like he is reacting to a deep seated emotional trauma.

I found a medical definition of this from the link below:

"Voluntary Encopresis

A person with voluntary encopresis has control over when and where bowel movements occur and chooses to have them in inappropriate places. Constipation is not a factor, and the f***s is usually a normal consistency. Often f***s is smeared in an obvious place, although sometimes it is hidden around the house. The APA classifies voluntary encopresis as encopresis without constipation and overflow incontinence.

In young children, voluntary encopresis may represent a power struggle between the child and the caregiver doing the toilet training. In older children, voluntary encopresis is often associated with oppositional defiant disorder(ODD), conduct disorder, sexual abuse, or high levels of psychological stressors."

Call your local health department, his school counselor, or your church for a list of resources.  Do make sure that you are comfortable and involved with the treatment method before signing on with a Dr. or therapist.  You may also want to research this behavior online and see if you can get a recommendation from parents who are going through similar things.  Since this is a general Q/A forum, you'll probably need to seek professional help or find a support group.