Son Started to Wet His Pants Again After Big Changes

The #1 wrong thing that you could do is punish him. You know that he is having a problem with something. That is out of his control so punishment is not the answer. I believe that there are 1 of 2 things that could be going on. 1 is the new changes in the house. That could be throwing him off a little bit. The other is there are some children (this is pretty common) who grow and their bladders don't grow quite as fast as they do. I wouldn't put him back in pullups. That would give him the wrong message. The only other thing that I know is to sit him down and reassure him #1 that he is not in trouble. Tell him that you want to help him. Ex. I know that you are having a problem with wetting your pants and that's ok. How can I help you? And add questions to that like. Ex. Are you nervous because of the move or are you having a problem holding it until you get to the bathroom? Generally if you give a child a multiple choice question in situations like these things go a lot easier. Hope this helps!

I know a little of what you're going through... my daughter was potty trained for more than 2 years, and suddenly, she started wetting herself daily! for us, it was the new baby. so... she voluntarily put herself back in diapers... the baby's diapers, which didn't fit... so i let her revert for a while. she also adores her new sibling, so it isn't exactly "jealousy," more like a rough time adjusting and not knowing how to deal with the changes. hang in there, it is a phase that will pass!! buy some pull-ups-- he won't stay in them long. :)

Have you asked him why he's wetting himself? I would follow through with the hourly potty time, and if he gives you a hassle, tell him that the hourly potty routine can stop once he's able to stop wetting his pants. I had the same problem with my children, but their reason was actually beacause they were having so much fun playing, that they didnt want to stop for a bathroom break, so ended up having an accident. Maybe this could be his reason also.
You may also want to take him to the doctor and have him checked to make sure he doesnt have a urinary ract infection.
Hope this helps!

S.,
From what I understand, this is normal. I was born exactly two years after my brother. He was already potty trained, but when I was born, he started wetting in his pants again. My mom talked to the doctor who had children right at the ages of my brother and myself. He said his kids did the same thing. When the second was born, the first started wetting his pants again. I don't know what to do about it except encourage him and ask him more freaquently to go to the restroom. I know I don't have much advice, but hopefully you'll be comforted knowing that it happens to other people too :)

Hi S.,

I have been through this - new baby and new house. It sounds to me that you are doing everything you can to attend to his emotional needs, and that is good. Don't put him back in pullups; that sends the wrong message. He has been potty trained for a while; this isn't new to him. I would first make sure that he doesn't have a health issue. If everything is fine, then proceed with "punishing." My advice is, if he does it only once a day, just let it go; change his pants and ask him not to do it again. If it happens repeatedly during the day, you need to implement some sort of punishment, like he can't play with his favorite toys. I don't agree with celebrating every time he potties. That is only good for when they were learning to use the potty. Next time he wants attention from you, he might start wetting his pants again. He needs to learn that more is expected of him now.

I have a rewards system with my 4-year-old son. If he goes a day without wetting his pants, he gets a rock. Everytime that he does something helpful, he gets a rock. When he wants something, like ice cream or to go riding his Gator or to go swimming, he has to give up some of his rocks, if he has any. If he accumulates 20 rocks, he gets a new toy. He starts to really become aware of his own behavior, and going a day without wetting his pants is the easiest way to earn a rock!

The moving and the new baby together is a big upset in a childs schedule. First, make sure you set his room up just how it was at your old house. This way he feels comfortable with his surrondings. I have 5 children and we moved from Florida to North Carolina and we made sure to set the house back up as quickly as possible to help the kids with their new change. On the part with the new baby, keep taking him every hour but bring the baby with you and talk to your son about how he can teach his baby brother how to go potty when he gets big enough. Just make sure to include your oldest in a lot that you do with your baby. (ie getting a diaper, wipes, bath cloth) Anything you consider little he will think a big deal because he is small. My twins are 3 and daughter 1, I moved her diapers and wipes where they could reach and when she needs changed, if they are around, they want to get them for her and they talk to her while I change her. I know this can be frustrating but with your love and support he will get through this tough time. Good Luck!

I would take him to the doctor first and rule out any problems. If there is nothing wrong, then I would definitely not pay attention to him when he goes. Make him clean up the mess and change his own clothes. when he does go to the restroom make a huge deal out of it, make it a reward when he goes, and give him lots of attention, even dropping something you are doing and scoop him up and just show him how proud you are of him. If he is doing this for attention he will soon learn that he doesn't get attention for wrong behavior. Only after repeated behavior you might want to start taking away priviledges like watching tv, or playing with friends. But I would hold off on punishment and see if the other works. Good luck.