Recently Turned Four and Having Some Accidents

I have heard that this is very typical in boys, especially if they have potty trained early. My first son did not do this but my second son did. It sure seemed to me that he just got too busy doing what he was doing to stop and go. Although irritating, it went away within a week or so. I just reminded him that he was a big boy and not a baby. Pooping or peeing in his pants was not ok. Oh yeah, and I did throw away a pair of undies that I just couldn't bear to clean. He was devastated (they were his transformer undies). This may have actually done the trick - who knows.

Good luck and remember it is short lived!

hmmm, Since boys and girls are so different with potty training I don't know that my advice will help much!! My daughter had accidents when she was 4, quite a few of them and all were urine... She just got too busy playing with friends and didn't realize it, OR didn't want to interrupt her play!! GIRLS!! But I know boys operate differently and think differently, but he may be hiding something not just him. Maybe (just maybe, I'm totally speculating here!) he's a bit embarrassed, or uncomfortable in the bathroom on the potty for #2?? Seat too high (legs can go numb if he's in there too long)... I don't know. Hope something helps. Hope it is just a phase and he'll get over it by the time you read my post-reply!! :)
V.

accidents happen be patient. if he does not complain of pain and the doc says everythings cool, be cool. my son is 3 and sometimes he has accidents even though he has been potty trained for over a year. he hid it and was very ashamed. i asked him y and he said, "i dont know" i made him sit on the pot after and he hasnt done that since

Sometimes at this age, their body starts growing faster then their bladder, and they just have to let everything catch up!

Could be several reasons; yes, he could be trying to get attention, but since they are new cousins and not new siblings that seems unlikely (though it could happen). Some children regress a little big as they get older, for no apparent reason, and then come out of it. What Becka M. said is true too; some kids grow faster than their bladder, have small bladders, etc., and can't hold it as long (one family I know dealt with night-time bedwetting until their kids was at least ten; then his bladder was finally big enough to hold it all night). Some kids get so absorbed in what they are doing that they forget to pay attention until it is too late (I also knew a child like this; a friend, who is now a wonderful, perfect adult!). :-)

Going #2, though… either A) he is just acting up (for who-knows-why; he's a child), or B) he is waiting too long and then all of a sudden the urge hits, he can't stop it, knows he can't make it to the bathroom, and hides, embarrassed.

3 times in 2 days? Was he constipated before? Had he not gone for a long time? Again, I knew a child who had not gone for DAYS and DAYS and then all of a sudden he just went and went. Not accidents, but he was a little older (by about a year, year-and-a-half).

If the problem with #2 persists, maybe set up a checkup with your doctor, just to be sure. If it's nothing, then go back to 'training mode' and re-train him with patience. Maybe it is attention getting, or he just regressed a little.

I hope this helps! I will pray for patience and an end to what must be a frustrating time for Mommy!

God bless!
M. D

Put the ball back in his court. He's a big boy. If he scatters his toys, he picks them up. Make it a natural consequence and it takes the pressure and irritation off of you. "Not a big deal, son-of-mine, it's ok, we all have accidents! Now you need to clean up your accident." Make him clean it up. Make him take his wet and or dirty pants off, put them in a pre-designated place and clean himself up (you may have to make sure he's clean if he poos) - and go get his own clean underwear and pants. The key is as little attention, help or supervision as possible. It is HIS responsibility. Then use this in other areas, like if he spills a drink, resort to the "no big deal, now clean up after yourself" - and hand him paper towels. It is important to do it in all areas of his life so that the potty thing isn't singled out, but just part of every day life. In every area, the cleaning up will be the natural consequence that is not worth the time out of play/TV/reading to take care of.

Have his blood sugar tested. More so if he is drinking more and has sudden mood swings as well. My daughter was just diagnosed type one diabetic and one of the symptoms is increased urination she is 9 and had a few accidents. I though she was just waiting to long or being lazy.