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Post by meghans_mom on Jan 7, 2007 9:48:17 GMT -5
As I said in my previous post, I dont like public bathrooms (can you say germ phobe) and will use them only if I HAVE to. I understand kids can't always wait...and I also dont want to instill my fear into my children.
anyways - my problem is as follows:
A few months back, Meghan was staying dry and we were out at dinner in a pancake place (I think i posted about this at the time)
during dinner meghan requested "I go potty" so i took her
as she was sitting on the potty and shifted, the potty flushed and she FREAKED -- and i mean FREAKED out.
I insisted she stay and finish (maybe not the smartest move on my part) but after 2 mins (and one more flush?) she couldnt go.
[she did stay dry all through dinner and pee when we got home]
the nurses office at school also has an auto-flushing potty which has Meghan TERRIFIED!!!
So, yesterday at Target i took her to the potty, and she was freaking out...and refused to use the potty....even though it was not a auto-flusher. (I'm sure the people in the stalls thought I was an insane parent) - i think she thinks all bathrooms are, except the one in her classroom and at home, or close to it.
How do I get her un-afraid??
I cant stand to think that this fear is going to go on for months or years....and I don't want to damage her psyche by dragging her into public bathrooms all over Long Island.
Help?!
thanks, laurie
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Post by momofrussell on Jan 7, 2007 9:50:58 GMT -5
Is there anyway you could talk about the sound, even make some similiar sounds with your mouth and talk through it some? Make it a game even and make the sound silly? Compare it to other sounds? I'd try some different ways to talk about the sound and work past the fears someway. I don't know where her reasoning and thinking is... but it's worth a shot!
A.
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Post by MB on Jan 7, 2007 15:08:20 GMT -5
How about being direct with her about scary toilets. "I am sorry Meghan, but you will have to get used to the scary toilet so lets go visit some scary toilets and then we will go pick out a treat." When the toilet flushed, I would have a silly rhyme and dance ready to go. How about, "Hey toilet, don't be in a rush. I'm not ready to flush."
You might want to help Meghan tell the difference between flush toilets and automatic by announcing it as soon as you walk in the stall. "Look Meghan, this toilet has a flush." Or, "Uh Oh Meghan, it's a toilet that's in a rush to flush. Hey toilet, don't be in a rush. Meghan's not ready to flush."
WHAT? MB SUGGESTING A REWARD? This is outside the realm of potty training wars. This is not a refusal to use a toilet, this is getting over the fear of a scary monster toilet that roars with no notice.
mb
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Post by Monique on Jan 7, 2007 20:10:51 GMT -5
Hi Laurie, I had the same problem with my typical 4 year old! She is (was) terrified of public toilets! Even if I had to bring her in with me for me to go she would be beating on the restroom door and screaming (i dont know what people thought i was doing to her in there , but i had to go!). This was like the last hurdle of potty training!! I just didnt know what to do! I just kept taking her and holding her (like in a hug) with her on the potty and she would cry. But lately she will go but still hates it! So no trick here. I guess just kept doing it but I know that someone who doesnt quite understand may take a lot longer to get over it. I guess desensitizing as much as possible.
At least meghan is potty training. Jameson is 6 and I am desperate to figure out how to get him ON the toilet! he absolutely hates it!
And you know what... once I looked at it from my 4 year olds point of view, public bathrooms are NOISY and scary!! i dont blame her!
Happy New Year!
Monique
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Post by PaigesMom on Jan 7, 2007 21:36:08 GMT -5
Laurie, for what it's worth, I can tell you what worked for us. Take a business card or a pad of sticky notes, pull one off stick it on the sensor so it doesn't flush. Before she goes to the bathroom, pull it off and let her watch what happens. Next step, cover the sensor again w/another sticky note, let her go to the bathroom - leave the sticky note on the sensor, and when she's done let her pull it off herself so she can see and hear what happens to her own poop and pee ... it wont take long, before you know it, she'll be used to it and it will become part of the routine, and the sticky notes will become a thing of the past.
Debbie
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Post by MB on Jan 7, 2007 23:03:54 GMT -5
Alright Debbie! UnoMas at its finest!
mb
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Post by ALLISA on Jan 7, 2007 23:14:07 GMT -5
Debbie....that is AWESOME !! The auto toilets have scared ME in the past !! LOL
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Post by meghans_mom on Jan 7, 2007 23:30:12 GMT -5
oh wow...you guys are the greatest! who knew that sticky note trick! whooohooo! thank you all for the input!
Monique - hope you all are well....happy new year & hugs!
thanks guys & will let you know what happens ! laurie
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Post by laurasnowbird on Jan 8, 2007 15:44:00 GMT -5
Sheer genius, Debbie!!!
You've been missed, so glad to see you posting again. Please make a regular habit of it again!!! HUGS! Laura
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