So Emma has been doing really well with potty training, she's been staying dry and we haven't been having many accidents, but then last week, we were at Walmart and I took her to the bathroom and the automatic toilet flushed while she was sitting on it (although I did have her on her Elmo seat cover). She freaked out, cried for at least ten minutes and now, anytime I put her on a toilet that isn't her little potty, she freaks out. We are out and about a lot and I don't know what to do. I hold her hands, talk to her, sing to her, I've even tried bribing her (which is horrible, I know, AND it doesn't even work), but she screams, cries and holds it which almost always winds up with her having an accident. Someone please help! I'm out of ideas.
Re: My child is afraid of regular toilets, help!
OMG good idea!!
Sounds odd but have you tried sitting on it and having it go off to show her it is ok? Or did you show her how it goes off? I'm sorry you are going through this.
I will be picking up post-its tomorrow. And @Maddimom, I have shown her what happens and showed her how it goes off, which in turn, seems to have freaked her out more :-( It totally sucks because she was doing really well everywhere we were.
I always say, "The toilet is going to flush, it might be loud but its no big deal - its just the sound of water" - she seems to be calmed by my confidence in it.
Good luck!
I have no real suggestions but...
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F7o8KuJKizs
:-D Thanks, Lynchie.
Yeah you just have to block it so it won't flush, promise her that you will do your best to keep it from flushing while she's in there, then let her get out and plug her ears before it flushes. Every kid I know seems to have gone through this freak out.
post its, a piece of toilet paper, or even you sitting on the toilet on the back and letting her sit in front of you are all options. Or bring your potty with you and leave it in the trunk of the car and use it out there. I've done it in a pinch.
Yeah you just have to block it so it won't flush, promise her that you will do your best to keep it from flushing while she's in there, then let her get out and plug her ears before it flushes. Every kid I know seems to have gone through this freak out.
post its, a piece of toilet paper, or even you sitting on the toilet on the back and letting her sit in front of you are all options. Or bring your potty with you and leave it in the trunk of the car and use it out there. I've done it in a pinch.
-Yeah you just have to block it so it won't flush, promise her that you will do your best to keep it from flushing while she's in there, then let her get out and plug her ears before it flushes. Every kid I know seems to have gone through this freak out.
post its, a piece of toilet paper, or even you sitting on the toilet on the back and letting her sit in front of you are all options. Or bring your potty with you and leave it in the trunk of the car and use it out there. I've done it in a pinch.
haha, I kept reading thinking that you were adding to it. I'm a little sleepy, so I didn't catch on until the second sentence. :-)