Potty in school... not at home

Gina - posted on 07/21/2012

I just posted a similar question about potty training at school vs home. I've been told that toddlers participate and embrace using the potty at daycare/preschool because when they go there it's part of the daily curriculum, they go in groups and all the kids par-take in the action, so they feel like it's something "fun" or a group activity like any other. However, they are more resistant to go at home because, it's a solo/boring act there, they feel like mommy is interupting their precious play time to take them to do a long/tedious shore.



Maybe try to make it a game, where he gets stickers or some sort or reward for cooperating or the two of you use the potty at the same time and have a game revolving around taking turns etc.

Bonnie - posted on 07/20/2012

Hi, my son does the same. He poops and pees at school with no problem, but at home it is a different story. He still has accidents, but we are working on reminding him throughout the day to go potty, like on the even hours or every 2 hours, or soon after he eats/drinks something. We have a candy jar in the bathrooms with his favorite candy. One piece for peeing, two for pooping. He has been doing pretty well with peeing, but not with pooping. His feet touch the floor, so I know he should not have problems pooping. I tried yesterday to take his potty with us to the park (left it in the car until needed), but he held it in. I caught him trying to in his pants, and stopped him to ask if he needed to go potty "go away mommy!" was what I got. He did not poop all day yesterday, which is a sign he is holding it, but never wanted to go potty. The only thing I can think of is school is so routine and he has peers. I guess all we can do is keep trying, reminding, praising when they do, and eventually, he will do it when he wants to. Good luck!

Ana - posted on 08/15/2009

Quoting Heather:

I know how you feel. My son will be 4 next week and started school last week. He does great at school going potty... but at home he has accidents constantly. Everytime he has to go poop it is a big ordeal cause he don't want to sit on the potty and go. He would rather go in his pants. I have tried things like a prize box where he could get a prize after going. I just went to the dollar store and got some candy and cheap toys and put in a box and it seems to help some. Maybe you should try that and see if it helps.

Thanks Heather.  Yeah, I actually had him pick out two Hotwheels cars from the store and told him that he can open it and play with it when he uses the potty (not just sitting on it).  The cars are hanging right in front of the toilet so he sees it... unfortunately, it's not working =(

But I'm hopeful. 

Heather - posted on 08/14/2009

I know how you feel. My son will be 4 next week and started school last week. He does great at school going potty... but at home he has accidents constantly. Everytime he has to go poop it is a big ordeal cause he don't want to sit on the potty and go. He would rather go in his pants. I have tried things like a prize box where he could get a prize after going. I just went to the dollar store and got some candy and cheap toys and put in a box and it seems to help some. Maybe you should try that and see if it helps.