A big step back on potty training

My niece, Chloe, who lives with me, is 3.5 years old. We've been
working slowly on potty training for awhile. About two months ago, she
asked to wear "big girl" underpants to church. We let her, and after an
accident on the second day, she's been doing great. She still wears a
pullup to sleep, though it's usually dry in the morning.

Two weeks ago, we had family visiting and showed them the sights. While
we were out, we used a bathroom with automatically flushing toilets,
and they scared Chloe. She wouldn't sit on them, and ended up having an
accident.

Since that time, she's gone steadily backwards on her potty training,
to the point that she had four accidents yesterday. And today, not a
minute after I asked her if she needed to go to the bathroom, she
messed her pants. When I ask her why she went in her pants instead of
going to the toilet, she just says, "I didn't want to."

I'm pretty frustrated, and can't figure out what to do. On the one
hand, I'd like to just put her back in diapers and wait awhile longer.
On the other hand, she was there. Fully potty trained, except for
night, for two months.

Has anyone had anything similar happen? Any suggestions or advice?
Thanks!

.. Joann

Hi --

I'd probably attach the subject head-on. Talk about the automatic
toilet, take her to another one if you possibly can, simulate one in
your garden with a hose, and otherwise see what you can do to ease the
fright.

My guess is that if you talk it over, take her back to one of the
automatic toilets, and then let her try it out a few times in a row,
that she'll get over the trauma and start using the toilet again.

Good luck,
--Beth Kevles

http://web.mit.edu/kevles/www/nomilk.html -- a page for the milk-allergic
Disclaimer: Nothing in this message should be construed as medical
advice. Please consult with your own medical practicioner.

NOTE: No email is read at my MIT address. Use the AOL one if you would
like me to reply.

We've definitely been talking about it. How it works, why some places
have them, how our toilets at home are different, etc. Actually, my
sister reminded me that Chloe didn't start going backwards on the potty
training until more than a week after the incident with the automatic
toilet. I still think they're somehow connected, but I'm not sure why
that should affect her going at home, where she's gone so many times
before and since.

.. Joann

"Joann23456" wrote in message
oups.com...
We've definitely been talking about it. How it works, why some places
have them, how our toilets at home are different, etc. Actually, my
sister reminded me that Chloe didn't start going backwards on the potty
training until more than a week after the incident with the automatic
toilet. I still think they're somehow connected, but I'm not sure why
that should affect her going at home, where she's gone so many times
before and since.

She is 3 1/2 years old. Her logic is not the same as your logic. She was
scared on a toilet. It doesn't matter that it was not the one at home.

The first time I used an auto flush toilet, it really scared me. I didn't
know it was an auto flush toilet until it flushed.

If you hold your hand over the light sensor while she is going, the toilet
won't flush. You can show her how this works, so that next time she won't be
so scared.

Jeff

.. Joann