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 Ask Dr. Jana
Three-Year-Old Terrified to Use Adult-Sized Toilet | | | QUESTION | | | Dear Dr. Jana,
My toddler is almost three years old. He is potty trained at home on his own little potty. At his preschool, they only have a normal-sized toilet, which he is terrified to use. He refuses to try and only wants to wear diapers at school. Do you have any suggestions?— Concerned Mom | | | ANSWER |
July 2, 2001 | | | Dear Concerned Mom,
Your son's reaction to using an adult-sized toilet at his preschool is unfortunate but by no means uncommon. As with just about all issues related to toilet training, my general recommendation would be to try to find a solution that he is happy with without forcing the issue.
That said, I do have a couple of practical suggestions for you. The first thing that comes to mind is for you to discuss with your son's preschool teacher the possibility of bringing in a potty seat--like the one you have at home--for your son to use at school.
A second idea would be for you to talk with your son about what scares him when it comes to using the regular toilet. Some toilets flush louder than others--a simple factor that is enough to terrify some children (including my own preschoolers, who still cover their ears and ask to leave the stall before I flush the toilets in the public bathrooms for them!). In this instance, simply promising to flush the toilet after the child has left the room can make a world of difference.
I also suggest that you explore ways to help your son get used to using the toilet, instead of his potty seat, while at home--perhaps by getting him a stepping stool, allowing him to use a toilet seat ring (that can sit on top of the toilet seat and make the opening smaller and less intimidating), or even just discussing how a toilet flushes--you may allay his fears and be able to help him transition to the toilet both at home and at school.
Best of luck to you. I'll be interested to hear how things work out--which they inevitably will!— by Laura Jana, M.D., F.A.A.P. |
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