Reply from Mr John(Papa), Child's Age xx - 12/4/02 - IP#: 65.57.60.79Megan: Best to make this as short as possible until we have further information. Your story is a little untypical. I am a little preplexed at the ice cream bucket thing. Other little girl(was it?) liked having it next to bed, but no explained reason why she liked it. No two little girls are necessarily the same with motivation. Unless you have already tried it and it worked, I don't believe Michelle wants a bucket at bedside. It appears she does want to wear a diaper. The doctor had it easy, leaving the choice to Michelle. You must sit her down, get her attention and find out WHY she is doing these things. Do what is necessary for an answer from her. She is already conning you with "it just happens to come out" rhetoric and getting away from you to be by herself. DO NOT put up with it until she tells you why...You say nothing in post of possibility of constipation, though Michelle seems to void OK. On protection, I have no textbook advice, but might suggest that you put Michelle into a pin-on diaper, skip the pull-on briefs, and tell her she will not get changed until certain times of the day or night. Otherwise she will have to wait for you. You can use a disposable diaper, but the cloth one is better since she must be told she is not to remove it herself, but shall wait for you or caregiver. YOU ENFORCE IT. Either way, you will do well to get her plastic pants to contain everthing. This recommendation is essentially for the time being to keep from soiling church pews, sofa, chairs,carpet, car seat, lap, bed linens or whatever. MICHELLE IS JUST 8yrs AND IT IS PROBABLE THAT SHE WILL FIT INTO TODDLER ITEMS, but if not, that is a new problem, as you would have to locate the necessary apparel which takes time. In closing here, does Michelle have any siblings? How does she take care of herself at school? Does she respond to toileting when she is playing or interupted at play??? Does she travel well, say in the car?? Aside from toileting, is there any lack of harmony at home? Does she sleep well and have disciplined hours for bedtime? Have friends and playmates? Any apparent stress at school? Finally, has anything unusual ocurred in her day-to-day routine lately which would account for her behavior? Some of these might become a factor. Would like to hear further from you if we can be of further assistance to Michelle and to you. Hope this helps.....Mr J |