Why is my 4 year old regressing in potty training?

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asked Mar 18, 2020 in Toddler/Preschooler by shuoktrici (300 points)
Why is my 4 year old regressing in potty training?

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answered Mar 18, 2020 by Minty (132,850 points)
When a 4 year old child is regressing during potty training and peeing their pants instead of getting up to use the toilet when needed it could be simply that they are too interested in playing with toys, watching TV etc.

A 4 years old playing and having fun is a serious thing to them and they do not want to be distracted and have to take the time out to go to the bathroom.

So they pee or poop their pants instead and before they were out of diapers the child had gotten so used to just using the diaper for pee and poop and not having to get up to go to the bathroom.

So it could also be simply that they are forgetting that they need to get up to use the restroom.

Or the 4 year old could be regressing back to wanting diapers because they have a baby brother or baby sister in the house that is wearing diapers so they think they should as well and it could be that they want the attention.

If your 4 year old is not using the toilet you need to remind them at certain times and take them to the toilet yourself and tell them they need to pee or poop in the toilet.

If they still do not want to use the toilet on their own then tell them that if they continue to not use the toilet that they will have to wear diapers again.

And then tell them that they will have to still stop playing to get their diaper changed.

Sometimes that works with some children when you put them back in diapers they decide that they hate their diapers being changed and decide to use the toilet.

But for some children they may decide that it's best to just wear diapers and don't mind being in a wet or dirty diaper and don't mind getting their diapers changed.

Either way the child will stop wearing diapers full time eventually and decide to use the toilet.

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