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pooping - or not pooping- at five.

My son is five. Kindergarten starts in two weeks. He will still only poo in a p ullup - he refuses the toilet. Says it hurts his legs to sit. Says it hurts his bum to sit on the toilet seat. I’ve owned all models of seats and potties. Am at wits end. Have tried to bribe with the one thing that he really wants. He said he doesn’t need it that badly… My husband was just reading ‘Cat in the Hat’ to him…eventually I heard lots and lots of crying as he was getting frustrated and just wanted to get off. He got off the toilet seat despite my husband’s beautiful and patient effort - I probably would’ve lost patience minutes before… Reward system does not work for him. Pleading, begging, kindness, explaining, …I’m confused and pissed off, frankly. Help.

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Answer #1

My son wouldn’t go poop in the potty either…although he was only 4. I refused to put pull ups on him. He went in his underwear one time and I showed him how to clean it up…after that he had to “help” clean it up, he cleaned while I helped. He thought that was disgusting and he only pooped his underwear twice, he then started going in the potty.

Try talking to his pediatrician, a lot of times they can suggest something that might help or they can find out if there is some other kind of problem.

Above all else, don’t get frustrated with him, just deal with what happens and move on from it…if he knows that you’re frustrated he will also get frustrated…that won’t help him at all. Stay calm, do you know when he’s pooping? If so, pick him up and put him on the potty. See if he can finish there.

Good luck

Answer #2

I had the SAME problem! I would go to the potty when I was little and my legs would HURT!!! I’m a girl, so I had the same pain sitting down to pee. I would go anyways, because the thought of going in my undies was disgusting to me. My mom got me a foot stool. Problem solved. I could elevate my legs, and take the pressure off of the back of my thighs. My legs were just so skinny that it was putting pressure on some vein or nerve… He may not be competely making the pain thing up- try a stool, if that doesn’t work, talk to his pediatrician… he’s probably just being a wee bit lazy though.

Answer #3

you said he says that it hurts his bum and legs…well did you try putting a cusian around the toliet seat? also try to make a timelimit until he can get off, start with two minutes and if he doesn’t use by then let him get off, then every four days or so make it another minute until he gets use to it…explain to him that you understand it hurts but it is more unconfortable using yourself

hope it helps

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