Does your child "feel" safe in the toilet?

Feeling safe in the toilet, is more than reducing trip hazards or water spillage. Within this blog we share more and the help available.

Families often share struggles with encouraging children to "sit" on the toilet or even be in the toilet area. Different behaviours are often described including:

Children running away
Children becoming upset
Children becoming aggressive
And more!

The behaviours described are identified as taking place, when attempts are made to "encourage" children to use the toilet to pass a pee or a poo!

When children display behaviours….its our children’s way of communicating that something is happening inside or outside of them that is making their body feel unsafe.

When children struggle to go into the toilet area, sit on the toilet or even have discussions about visiting the toilet. This is a child's way of sharing that a part of the toileting process is challenging or difficult for them, and support is required.

We can start by looking at what might be happening under the surface, for the child, for them to react and respond with certain behaviours, and possibly make them feel unsafe.

For children to be able to progress with toileting, they need to;

Recognise pee and poo feelings
Understand the feeling, where to go and what to do
Respond to the feeling

To progress, there can be an overwhelming feeling inside and outside of the body

It’s all about focusing on “3” key areas

Here at Clear Steps Consultancy, we break this down for you, and help meet your child where they are at now, helping them and you progress in a way that’s right for your child!

Not where the world and everyone else “thinks” they should be!

This means, we don’t focus on age with toileting, we focus on your child’s individual needs, looking at what your seeing with your child and investigating what might be happening, to help your child to progress!

How can we help children who are not feeling safe in the toilet area?

We can start, by identifying and confirming "your" child's "patterns and how your child responds".