"The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly."

John 10:10




Thursday, May 5, 2011

She drives me crazy, ooooh ooh ooh (remember that song?)

Anna.  
That girl does drive me crazy.

Although she has been potty trained for well over a year, the girls still potties and poops in her pants.  It is not every day, but definitely at least a couple times a week and sometimes more.  It has pretty much been like this since she was officially trained.  
A couple months ago we felt really bad about punishing her when it ended up that she had a urinary tract infection.  So the next time she started the multiple potty "accidents" I took her right in to the doctor.  Nope.  No infection, just choosing to potty in her pants.  And so it goes.  Her reasons?  I was playing outside.  I was in my room for my rest time.  Aagghh! 
Our latest creative attempt to cure the situation?  She has it in her head that she wants to go to McDonald's.  So, we cut her a deal.  If she can go five days in a row with no pottying in her pants we'll take her to McDonald's.  This afternoon she went poopy in her pants.  She was on day three.  She has been on day three two times before this.  
She cries when we give her spankings.  She cries if we take something away.  She cries if she is sent to her room.  But, she does it again.  I have no idea how to handle the situation any more.  She is just about four.  This should not be an issue.  What do I do?  Have you had a child like this?  I need your help.  What would you do?  

2 comments:

jibby said...

Been there, done that, still can't write a book on it.

Here are some things we tried, but none are guaranteed.

Have her clean her own messes (including the floor) and put on clean clothes by herself. (You may have to go back later when she's not looking to tidy it up.)

Try not to even make a deal out of it and let it become a "boring" incident.

HOLD YOUR TONGUE!! Words of frustration only make you both feel worse and they don't help.

For us, it simply came down to a maturity issue-she had to learn to stop playing and go use the bathroom, and do it on her time. She was 2 months shy of turning 4 when she finally got it consistently.

I feel your frustrations! At least summer's coming and you can put her in dresses!

Sarah said...

Have you looked into food allergy/intolerance issues. We know that out daughter has an intolerance to gluten and dairy and when she get them many wacky behaviors arrive that we don't have an answer for. They seem a little random like she isn't able to think everything through. Just a thought. Let me know if you have any questions about food issues as we have been there, done that. Good luck!!!