Feel like a failure/potty probs

[B03B09]

My wonderful, caring, smart 5 1/2 yo kindergarten daughter is wetting her pants almost everyday, as has been here and there since being potty trained. I feel like I've tried everything, rewards, encouragement, making her wash her pants, punishment . . .The Dr. said there was nothing wrong with her, I think she hols it as long as she can as to not interrupt her activities and by the time she tries to go it's too late. I'm in tears & hate feeling angry with her. We also have a new baby on the way and the stress is really taking it's toll on me. I'm totally desperately lost. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

[eniese]

Don't forget, kindergarten and a sibling on the way are a lot of stress for a 5 yo too. Some of it may be a reaction to all the change in her life. If the problem is mostly at home, maybe you can have some set "potty times" where she has to stop whatever she's doing and at least try to go. Start with every 30 mins and increase as she does better with not having accidents. Punishment tends to make it into a power struggle, so unless she's deliberately, defiantly wetting herself, I'd avoid it. Keep up with having her help clean up-she's definitely old enough, and it might provide a little extra incentive to pay attention. Also, make sure she's not drinking too much. Try to keep most of her drinking at mealtimes, since then she'll need to go at more regular times.

[groomden]

Have you visited the school restrooms? My son was terrified of automatic flushing toilets at his school so he really, really didn't want to go at school. Needless to say we spent a couple days at school together practicing using the toilets. It was a slow process, but he is going at school now.