Poop Inspection

It is so funny that I read this because my 2 y/o son just asked me if he could poop in the yard. When I told him no he was upset because I let the dog do it. I did let him pee in the yard. Potty training is hard and I wouldn't let him touch the poop, but I would let him look at it and it's a good learning experience. Ask him about the color and sech. After a while it won't interesting anymore. as a boy (or girl) he will learn poop and fart jokes it's all a part of learning and being comfortable with his body and its functions. As for his being OCD it is still alittle early to diagnose and the obsession with poop probably will subside. It is good that you are aware of the potential problem, but don't let worry rob you of the mommy experience.

Dear J.,

He is probably just normally inquistive. Maybe he is going to be a scientist. After he examines it, he probably will be put off by the scent. I think about one time when I was a preschool teacher we celebrated St. Patricks Day a little too much with the green food coloring in the gravy and mashed potatoes , etc. and one of the two year olds pooped green - it looked like green playdough. It was the olden days when we let kids go to preschool who still wore diapers. We had a lot of really neat kids who still needed diapers changed. ....and by the way, I almost forgot, you are trying hard to potty train your 28 month old. Well, I am the kind that says that they will cooperate when they are able. No kidding, their musicles have to mature enough and their brain has to mature enough so that they can work together to get to the bathroom and poop there when they feel the message coming together in their body. I think that you need to relax a bit and let nature take its course. My gr grandson is about that age and he is still pooping in his diapers, and he is just as cute as a little boy can get and smart too. Just like your darling. That is all I know, C. N.

It took me "forever" to potty train my 4-yr-old and he still has poop accidents! One day I found him in the bathroom with poop all over the floor and wall. I freaked out a bit, and later realized he had an accident and was trying to clean it up. So, my advice would be to calmly explain to your son (how old is he?) that everyone poops and it's a normal part of being alive, right? We eat and the food we eat comes out and it's poop! I'd also tell him clearly that it isn't clean and we should not touch it. Potty training boys, I've heard, takes longer and it's normal for our kids to be curious. So, answer his questions clearly and calmly. You can also ask him why he wants to know or what he thinks about it. Be patient though. It does take a while. Good luck!

Hi J.
I think that is pretty normal for his age. I'm sure it will pass very soon and he'll be onto his next obsession! My first kept sticking her hands in the toilet after peeing...that REALLY grossed me out. I think they are fascinated with the fact it came out of their body. Anyhow they all outgrow it soon enough and you'll have some other weird thing to worry about. I would just calmly keep telling him that poop is dirty and no touchy. Sometimes if you make a big deal it makes them want to do whatever it is more! LOL

J.,

In speaking first to the potty training matter, you want to be careful not to push him too hard in that direction. Boys especially are generally a little slower to get the hang of potty training. Pushing a child too soon adds an unnecessary layer of stress. The fact that you are noting some indications of what you are calling "OCD" could be a sign that he is feeling overly stressed out by the process because he is simply not ready. Believe me, I have studied almost all of the programs that say you can potty train your child in a day, a weekend, etc...but the reality is that you could be putting too much stress on your child.

I was under the gun with my youngest daughter to get her potty trained before preschool began. I used some of the "quick" methods and my daughter started stuttering out of the blue. I decide to lay off and let her take potty training at her own pace. The stuttering stopped within 10 days and she was trained in the next 60 days.

As for the POOP it is not unnormal for children, boys and girls, to be interested in "POOP." He is probably interested in the fact that it comes from his body and that it is something he has in common with mom, dad, the dog, etc. Absolutely drawing the line at touching it, giving him a simple explanation of why things "POOP" and why he does not want to touch it. The interest may also be a diversion tactic. If he feels like you are hounding him on the potty training he may be using the poop fascination as a means to get you to ease up.

As for OCD, please don't pre-diagnose him with anything simply because there may be (what I assume is a) diagnosed history. Young children are often fascinated with certain repeated actions such as lining up cars, dolls, eating with the same dish, etc. Most often moms recognize these a "jags" which change fairly quickly.

I wouldn't worry too much. If it were me I would just change up my tactics a little bit and I would think it will all be fine.

As a mother of a toddler, I also deal with some of these "weird" questions from my little girl. Although the thought of handling poop is gross to you and me, these little ones don't know the difference! If I were you, I would explain to my toddler that poop is not a material to be handled although it may seem interesting. I wouldn't get angry or overreact though. I would simply put it on the no-no list. It's my guess that as your little one gets older he will understand better what poop is and will probably lose interest in it. I'll bet you can find a book or two about the subject also...

There is a really good children's book called, "Everybody Poops" that he would probably really enjoy!

C. : )

Hi J.,

I just had to giggle - yes it is so normal and very much a part of potty training. My son is 6 and still loves to check out his poop. It is such a boy thing. I did encourage it because we had a hard time getting him to go. So when he did we made a big deal.

So welcome to the world of farts, poop and other icky stuff.

:) Kat