5 year old crapping in her room...
By magrylouyu
@magrylouyu (1627)
United States
August 12, 2010 11:46am CST
I have a friend with a 5 year old. Her daughter started pooping in her room. She has tried many different punishments and none seem to work. Has anyone else dealt with something similar to this or have any ideas on how to fix it? She has tried time out, no tv, taking her favorite toy, and sitting on the toilet for a half hour at a time. She will be starting Kindergarden in 2 weeks but I dont see how this could be the problem. She doesnt do it when she is around other people. Any advice would be awsome.
4 responses
@n_m_crutchfield (46)
• United States
25 Aug 10
Has there been a major change in the household? She may not know how to emotionally express what she is feeling, so she is acting out.With her anticipating starting kindergarten, she may be fearful of what is to come, so by pooping in her room she is regressing somewhat b/c she is scared of going to school.
Try talking to her about what she think kindergarten is going to be like. Reassure her that everything will be fine. Take a visit to the school and walk around so she can see what it is like without all of the kids there.
Good luck! And remember..."S--T Happens" :)
@magrylouyu (1627)
• United States
28 Aug 10
I would have to say this is the best response! :) Yesterday the school held a "bus ride" day for all the Kindergardners. My friends daughter is actually going to be in my daughters class. We rode the bus to the school and the kids all got to see their classrooms before they start. They got to meet the teacher and everything. I think her daughter is a little more reassured that everything will be okay. I know my daughter is very excited to start kindergarden and I think having her there with her friend made it a little easier for her. Thank you for your response.
@dorannmwin (36392)
• United States
25 Aug 10
This is the little girls way of trying to get attention. She knows that if she does something like this that isn't acceptable in any way that she is going to get attention. It doesn't matter to her that the attention that she is going to be getting is negative attention. That said, the only way that your friend can get her daughter to stop with this habit is to ignore it all together, thus the behavior will cease because the little girl isn't getting the attention that she desires.
@GuateMom (1411)
• Canada
15 Aug 10
I'd say this is an issue of attention. My sister did something similar at the same age and even older, she would refuse to use the bathroom and would pee at the foot of her bed. My mom was told to start spending individual time with us and it stopped. One of the ways she did this was to let each kid stay up an hour later than the others on a specific night every week. That was our special night . . . we could choose to do anything we liked with her.
It's worth a try!
@zralte (4178)
• India
13 Aug 10
That is indeed a little old for that kind of behaviour. I do agree with the other members: punishment is not the solution. It is attention seeking. May be the mother could give her a separate time to be with her...and just be dedicated to her at that time. Set a time, take her out, listen to her, play with her, etc.
