Deliberate soiling???!!!

[PhDMum]

Help!

My fully toilet trained DD just deliberately defecated in the middle of the living room carpet because she was jealous of her brother, who I was breastfeeding at the time.

We had been to the toilet 2mins previously, at her request, but she didn't do anything on the toilet as she changed her mind.

What can I do? She was put straight in bed - no bath no story. It didn't seem to bother her.

It is so frustrating. She has started doing this a lot, and giving her one-on-one attention does nothing to help. She is perfectly aware of what she is doing, and that there will be unpleasant consequences. Any suggestions?

[colditz]

Ignore it completely, to the point where you cease all eye contact as soon as she has done it, and ignore her entirely until it is all cleaned up and you are feeding her brother again.

Also, it's not unusual for a child to regress under stress and there is nothing more stressful than a new sibling.

[PhDMum]

thanks colditz. I think you may have the answer, as punishments certainly don't seem to make any difference (and I miss the bedtime story myself ). It is just so hard when I can see how deliberate she is with it - I suppose I just need to keep reminding myself how little she still is herself...

[diamondsandtiaras]

Ignore completely. Clean it up without saying anything other than "poos go in the toilet/potty". Also think about introducing some kind of reward for performances in the correct place (stickers or a small piece of chocolate for example).

[PhDMum]

rewards are a bit old-hat for her, I'm afraid. She can poo to order, and if you mention stickers she'll run to the toilet and perform - whilst still saving a nice pile for when she wants to grab my attention.

I think ignoring is the way to go...

[desperately crossing fingers and praying I can keep my temmper for the next incident]