My DS started 2 days ago and my husband is freaking out over the way they handle the bathroom. My son has been potty trained for 6 months (he's 3 years 2 months old), however, he's still clumsey at pulling up his pants...they are often crooked, etc. He isn't the best wiper either.
The school does regular bathroom breaks with the whole class and will also take kids on request, however, they do not wipe and they do not go into the stall with the child. I'm a bit upset they don't help them wipe if they have a bowel movement, but I'm ok with them not being in the stall, figuring he has to learn how to go on his own and get his own pants up and down. My husband keeps telling me how unhappy he is with this...I think this isn't uncommon.
Can I get some feedback? Thanks :-)
Re: Bathroom - how does your school handle?
That's one thing we asked about before deciding on a prek. DD is 3.5 and does pee fine at home- won't go when out and won't do #2 on the potty at all. We needed a school that will work with her and also understand accidents.
She goes to school MWF from 8:30 to12. They have 3 class breaks where one teacher goes with the girls, the other with the boys; also will take child on request inbetween those times. They will help with clothes or wiping if needed. Also one of the teacher's suggested for me to bring in a potty seat to make DD feel more like it does at home.
I think there was only 1 preschool I called that wouldn't help at all, and they were quickly marked off the list!
If I were a teacher, I'm not about to go and wipe another child's tooshie. That would be awkward. We just recently taught DS1 how to wipe when he goes poop. He was 4.5 years (turned 5 last week) old and he's doing great! We told him he needs to keep wiping until the toilet paper is clean. And to flush after every two wipes so the toilet doesn't clog.
The school he goes to, they don't let the teachers wipe or anything either. Which is why they say that the child has to be completely potty trained, and be able to handle himself in the bathroom. Which is why DS2 (3yrs old) isn't going this year. He'll go next year. He's just not ready.
i would just practice with him, show him what he has to do. I bet if you work with him for a couple weeks, it wont be a concern anymore.
DD's school doesn't automatically help. they take the kids to the bathroom I think every 2 hours and then on request.
I have coached DD on wiping herself and I normally help her at home (or inspect) but she generally does fine wiping. My 8 yo niece still asks her mom to help wipe sometimes which I think is a little much, so I'm all about developing independence.
Once they are in the 3 year old classroom they are expected to go by themselves. My 4.25 DS is still not good at wiping. Last year was horrible, sometimes it was obvious he didn't wipe at all. I asked the teachers to remind him to wipe. The problem was only at school, at home he was fine. At school he doesn't seem to want to take the time to wipe. I did make sure he only had elastic pants.
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I saw another post where someone's friend still helps wipe her 10 y.o.! Maybe forcing the issue at 3 isn't such a bad idea...
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They will help with buttons or snaps (more for getting dressed again, I wouldn't send my DD in them if she can't get them off fast). And if they come out with their pants crooked they'd help with that sort of thing.
They don't wipe the kids though. They did in the 2yo room because PTing is part of what they learn in that class, but not in the 3 or 4yo rooms. Also, at 3, the teachers did not take the kids to the bathroom, they just asked to go and went. However, the bathroom is just off the classroom, the main bathroom door is open and there are no doors on the stalls, so if there's something going on the teacher can easily hear and go in.