Poopy pants?

[almostsm]

What is the name of your state? MO

I used to post about this a while back, but eventually gave up.

I'll give a little history. I met these boys (twins) when they were 4. From the get-go, they have always left skid marks in their pants, and on a few occasions, they've blown out their drawers. Both boys have a medical history of constipation, one worse than the other.

The kids were living with us when they were 5- just before they started kindergarten. At that point we had just gotten them from their mother, who apparently hadn't taught them to wipe themselves, or do anything for their personal hygiene. Dad and I rigorously sat them on the toilet every single day at the same time, told them to "take a dump." Both did. After a while, 4 inch diameter logs turned into 1 to 2 inch logs (sorry for being tactless.) And the boys were wiping themselves regularly.

Then they got taken away because mom lied and said we "kidnapped" them. Long story to that, but that's another post. I'm here about the pooping.

Dad has talked to Mom about these "accidents," and Mom says it NEVER happens when they're with her, yet we've gotten the kids with the skid marks in their underwear. So that's a deaf ear.

I've done some research on this, and found that some children with a history of constipation can no longer control these muscles, which is why they "leak."

We can only do so much when the kids are with us... but then they go back to their mom who does nothing.

What else is there?

 

[stealth2]

This would qualify as a parenting issue, not a legal one. Dad may want to talk to their pediatrician. How old are they now?

 

[almostsm]

7

Dad thought this problem would clear up as they got a little older... you know, he doesn't have as much contact as he would like with them to help get them on that "regular" schedule.

 

[Inquiry123]

Ouch

4" diameter?! I'm dyin' over here. 4"?!

More than likely, this has less to do with personal hygiene and more to do with a psychological issue. Maybe a dietary issue.

Stealth is right...If mom is oblivious and uncooperative concerning this problem, document (pix if you have to) and get some professional help. If mom has sole custody, you will want to consider that before making any unilateral medical interventions.

I need a bowl of Raisin Bran.

 

[nagol818]

4" diameter?! I'm dyin' over here. 4"?!

document (pix if you have to) and get some professional help.

Now I'm dying over here! LOL

 

[stealth2]

I'm thinking this may be close to a physical impossibility and a bit of exaggeration.

 

[BethM]

Dad and I rigorously sat them on the toilet every single day at the same time, told them to "take a dump." Both did. After a while, 4 inch diameter logs turned into 1 to 2 inch logs (sorry for being tactless.) And the boys were wiping themselves regularly.

I'm not sure how this would take care of a "constipation" issue. In my opinion this tactic is a bit abusive. I darned sure wouldn't want someone bigger than me, with more authority than me, sitting me on the toilet at the same time every day and telling me to "take a dump."

Four year old children leave skid marks...even those who are regular. It's a fact of life with children, even those taught how to properly wipe themselves. Children get in a hurry, have better things to do and can tend to rush the process if you know what I mean.

If they have a true issue with constipation then the best thing to do is encourage proper diet and teach them to pay attention to the message their belly sends them.

Sitting a child down and forcing a bowel movement isn't productive and probably a bit disabling when it comes to them learning what they need to learn to stay regular. As for the skid marks, as they age, if they continue to not pay attention to cleaning themselves, making them wash their own underwear out will probably take care of that problem.