"Middle Child Syndrome"

Updated on January 17, 2008
A.G. asks from El Paso, TX
6 answers

Hi Moms,
My 3 year old is and has been fully potty trained for over a year now. But lately she's been wetting herself, not by accident.. she'll go to the restroom and stand by the toilet, but not go. She waits until she wets herself then she gets on the toilet. I dont know what to do! My husband and I have been telling her to go every 30min and she does but if we dont.. it happens again... Do you think this could possibly be an attention problem? I think I treat my kids all equally... but there's always that "middle child syndrome" Any advice would be greatly appreciated!!! Thanks

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So What Happened?

Thanks everyone for all of your advice!!
I did take her to the Dr. checked everything out, she was fine... Most of you moms said the same.. harsh love, don't show that it bothers me!! I didn't and it has worked out great... Thank you again for all of your advice!!!

More Answers

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C.S.

answers from Amarillo on

I get what you're saying--my little girl-3yrs-is fixing to be the middle child and does the same thing. I think it is mostly just her being to "busy" playing to take the time. IT's not all the time, but more often than I want. It could be that with your daughter too-just having a good time playing and not wanting to take the time.

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L.H.

answers from Dallas on

A.,
I am a middle child and there is some truth to the not getting enough attention thing:)
My son is 6 1/2 and if he does something he knows is wrong I take something away from him. Seems to fix the problem really fast. I have always used this to get him to make good choices and it works for us. My son seems to get attached to things so he doesn't like the idea of going without for a week.
L.

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A.

answers from Dallas on

You know, honestly, the best thing here is to make her take care of it herself! Very simply say "Oh, I am sorry that happened, here are the clorox wipes,some baby wipes to clean your legs etc up a little bit, and some clean clothes for you. Let me know when you are all cleaned up." Honestly, give her NO attention for this at all and it should go away when she figures out that it is too much work. Now, sometimes my kids realized they needed to go, they ran to the bathroom, but couldnt get on the potty fast enough, but it does not sound like that is your problem. If you are concerned that it is an attention thing, just be sure you are giving her attention for other things. Try to play games with her, playdoh, or art activities. But I have discovered the best thing to do is give no attention to things we dont want them to do. Good luck, it will get better!! ~A.~

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H.O.

answers from Dallas on

My youngest did this for a while, even to the point of wetting the bed and standing in front of the toliet and wetting. I thought it might be attention and found out it was a kidney/bladder infection but she was to young to explain what was going on. Good Luck

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K.K.

answers from Dallas on

My oldest did this when we brought the baby home. At first I would do the cleaning up. Then I decided he would do the cleaning up. He had to clean and change himself and he had to clean the floor, incuding mopping up! After a few times of this he decided it was much easier and less time consuming to just go ahead and use the potty. Hope this helps. :)

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A.K.

answers from Dallas on

Well, I don't know if it's "middle child syndrome" or just a normal phase that some kids go through. My friend's son is an only child and he's going through this phase as well. It's not necessarily the place in the family, just what some 3yo's do- sorry that I don't have advice to help, just thought I'd mention this.

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