How Should We Handle Relapses In Potty-Training?
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Your child has been learning to potty train the last few months and doing very well. In fact, you were just to the point where you believed your child was in fact fully potty trained. And then the accidents started occurring. Your child had relapsed just when you thought the potty training process was over. What can you do to handle this situation? Fortunately, there are some suggestions to help you get through relapses in potty training.
Be Patient
Potty training is tough for a toddler. It requires a lot of effort that includes realizing he has the urge to go potty, making it to the potty in time, pulling down his clothes, positioning himself on the potty, peeing in the potty, wiping, flushing, dressing himself, and washing his hands. Sometimes this whole process seems like too much time for a child who is only a few years old and would much rather continue playing their favorite game and just pee in their pants.
Many children who are potty trained have relapses. This is completely normal. Sometimes the whole idea of going to the potty is too much or just does not seem like that much fun anymore. If this is happening with your child be very patient, explain to your child how he needs to pee and poo in the potty since he is a big boy, and just let it go. Reprimanding your child or punishing him will only make the problem worse.
When Did the Relapse Occur?
If a relapse does occur then you need to take note of what is occurring in your childs life during the relapse. Are you on vacation? Did you recently go back to work? Did you have another baby? Are there problems at home or school? Have you moved to a new neighborhood? Has there been a death in the family? All of these events and more are enough to cause a relapse in your child. Even being picked on at daycare could prompt a relapse in potty training.
So, what can you do in this situation? The answer is to talk to your child, give them lots of love and support, and dont be critical about the accidents. Your child is going through enough right now and does not need any added stress. Let your child sleep in Pull Ups and say that accidents happen but he will do better. Your love, support, and praise is often enough to give your child the confidence to return to the potty.
Doctors Visit
You may choose to visit your pediatrician after a potty training relapse to ensure there are no other physical problems present. Your doctor can assure you that all is well and instruct you how to continue. Or, if there is a problem, your doctor will be able to help fix it.
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