What am I going to do with him??

[lizardz]

Wow, so many ways to go here, all of which should be considered. The medical route should always be the first; make sure nothing is going on there. Next, I would consider the emotional route - has anything in your life changed recently? Have you moved, separated/divorced, are you pregnant or recently had a baby, did someone move in or out of your home, any kind of stressor (job loss, health issues, etc)? Some children are very sensitive to change and the smallest thing can have them set off balance and acting out. Another thing to think about although none of us really want to go there - is it possible he's been molested? Children who have been molested often exhibit bladder/bowel issues. Most likely, though, it's the "Hey, I'm a boy and I can pee anywhere and on anything" issue! My son went through a brief (thankfully) period of this when he was about four - peed in my flower pots, the tub, on the cat, etc. We solved it by talking with him about how it really wasn't okay to pee anywhere except in the toilet, then tried to make it fun by placing a bowl of cheerios in the bathroom so he could target practice as he went (made it clear they were only for target practice, not eating!). Good luck - I hope it's the latter and is over for you soon.
Liz

 

[mom'sfolly]

Sounds to me like he might be experimenting. What happens if I pee in the vent? Will a plant grow with my wee, wee?

These and the other things people mentioned should all be considered.

 

[arabookworm]

we have this problem with my lil bro. if we are in the middle of nowhere, no toilets, and he needs to go, it takes forever to convince him that its okay to pee on a bush. after finally learning this lesson, he then takes it to mean taht he should pee on plants whenever he is outside

once while at the park (where there were clean public toilets galore) he decided to pee in the middle of a field where a bunch of college kids were having a game of frisbee.

the look on their faces was priceless.

 

[chickaddict]

How old is he???

Maybe it would stop if he had to clean it up.

 

[cassie]

Make him clean it up and take him to the doctor in that order.

 

[Amyable]

Quote:
As I've been potty training our son this summer, this has become more acceptable than putting it in his pants.

Glad to hear I'm not the only one with a stubborn boy when it comes to pottying.

 

[debilorrah]

I may be way outta line here, but it almost sounds like he found his ding-a-ling and is seeing what all it can do. However, don't rule out wanting your attention or a bladder infection. My son did that at 3 1/2 for about a month. I realized what was up when he came running downstairs au natural and um wagging at me - MOMMY LOOK!!!!!

 

[shelleyd2008]

Sorry, I've been busy today.

My son will be 5 in about 2 weeks. I've tried the Cheerios thing, making him clean it up, sitting down to go, threatening him with all-day long diapers, you name it. I haven't taken him to the doctor over it, that never crossed my mind. I'll definitely be looking into that. I honestly think he's just acting out, but I'll wait and see what the doctor says about it.

Like I said, he's been potty-trained for about 3 years, and I've never had any trouble out of him until the past few months. One thing I noticed is that he doesn't 'hold onto it' when he does go in the toilet, but that doesn't explain the stinky vent, or wet garbage can. Everywhere he goes (unless he is outside) is in the bathroom, so I don't think it's because he can't hold it, he just goes wherever.

I guess in a way, it's good to know that this is somewhat 'normal'. I have 2 older boys, and never had any problems with them intentionally missing. Of course the taller they grew, the more adjustments they had to make, so there were times when they would miss. But this is just nasty

I told my sister the other day that I was going to get him a tube or hose to put 'it' in when he went to the bathroom, at least then he wouldn't have to worry about aiming

I most likely won't do that, but you never know, I like to breathe when I'm in my home

 

[ILOVEFRIZZLES]

This has nothing to do with pee on thing but boys will be boy my nephews once had egg on the trampoline and said they were playing crack the egg. But maybe making him clean it up will help. My husband will pee in the yard before walking two feet into the house, says he is saving water yea want ever

 

[Sonoran Silkies]

From your description it does NOT sound like normal "what boys do" behavior. I think there is either a physical or emotional issue. I didn't specifically mention the idea of molestation in my earlier post, but I was definitely thinking about it as I wrote.

He needs a checkup, and you need to candidly tell his doctor about his behavior so that it too can be evaluated.