6 yr old fear of going to toilet

[Gigondas]

I don't know if anyone else has experience or advice to offer about my 6 yr old dd.

Dd has a fear of going to toilet -it's about toilet itself rather than inability to go. She doesn't like the flush noise and is scared it might overflow.

This started about 2 years ago and comes and goes . She is usual,t worse of tired, sick etc. Yesterday is an example as picked her up from summer day camp and she was having a toddler style meltdown in the loo about being too scared to go and afraid of flush.

Problem is that she is holding on to avoid going ( not great) and these scenes aren't brilliant. It doesn't help that my dh gets very annoyed about them.

I have talked thru whether there is a deeper issue with both her and my psychotherapist.

Any advice gratefully received as bribes, stern talking to and ignoring not helping. I know you can't help having things you dislike ,especially as a kid, but this is getting a bit ott.

[DontstepontheMomeRaths]

I don't think this is a long term answer but can't you flush the toilet once she's left for now?

Did she watch a film that scared her about loos?

I think you need to take the fear away for now, and then gradually work up to her flushing it again. In the meantime you do it for her once she's left.

Also could you maybe visit a sewage treatment plant, or learn about them, watch a documentary. Talk it all through. Knowledge is power.

[CarCiKoTab]

Can't you open up the toilet system and explain how the ball valve works and let her flush the toilet and watch the water only rise to a certain point etc?

[Gigondas]

Those are really good ideas . Thanks- she has been fine last few days , even went to camp so i am not sure what drives it.