This column originally ran in 2023. <\/p>\n
Dear Annie: My grandson, \u201cBillie\u201d is 5 years old and still not potty trained. We have tried everything to get him to use the toilet — rewards, bribes, \u201cgentle threats,\u201d etc. We suspect he has encopresis — the repeated, involuntary passing of stool into the clothing. This can happen when impacted stool collects in the colon and rectum, while the more liquid stool involuntarily leaks out around the impacted stool.<\/p>\n
In our grandson\u2019s case, he has to wear a Pull-Up so that he doesn\u2019t soil his clothing with the liquid stool. He rarely has a regular bowel movement. And because he\u2019s wearing a Pull-Up, he also rarely pees in the toilet. We give him fiber gummies so that he\u2019s not constipated and try to encourage him to eat good food and drink plenty of water. But he\u2019s a 5-year-old boy, and he isn\u2019t too interested in what\u2019s good for him.<\/p>\n
Of course, the other kids tease him about this. He knows he should be using the toilet and is ashamed of himself. He says the problem is him, that there is something wrong with him. And of course, the more we try to help him, the more pressure is put on him.<\/p>\n
Is there anyone out there who has faced this problem and can give me some advice? It breaks our hearts to see him so ashamed. He\u2019s a very sweet kid, and no child should feel bad about themselves. — Pooped Out and Sad in the South<\/p>\n
Dear Pooped Out and Sad in the South: Before you suspect that your grandson has encopresis, I would seek the help of his pediatrician and get a firm diagnosis. The sooner you all seek the help of a trained professional pediatrician, the sooner you can get Billie treatment. <\/p>\n
You are correct that sometimes it\u2019s not the behavior itself but the social pressure or self-consciousness that your grandson feels different from his peers. If he does seem really embarrassed about it, while it is probably purely physical, there is a slight possibility that it is psychological. If that is the case, then it is important to find a good family therapist to get to the root of what is going on in Billie\u2019s life that might be causing him stress.<\/p>\n
Dear Annie: If you are invited to a wedding shower, should you always be invited to the wedding?<\/p>\n
I was invited to a good friend\u2019s shower for her daughter. I gave a generous gift. No wedding invitation ever came.<\/p>\n
I\u2019ve now found myself questioning this friendship in silence. No mention was ever made by either of us regarding what I consider a tacky insult.<\/p>\n
What are your thoughts? — Questioning<\/p>\n
Dear Questioning: My thoughts are with you. On the surface, it sure seems tacky, and it is certainly understandable that your feelings are hurt. That being said, maybe she just had a very small family wedding. Maybe it was the shower that was her big celebration. But until you find out the reason, you will remain hurt and angry. Communication with your friend will help clarify a great deal.<\/p>\n
Send your questions for Annie Lane to dearannie@creators.com<\/a>.<\/p>\n