Hi everyone,
My 2-year-old toddler is currently having a fear of going to the bathroom. Whenever I try to take him/her to the bathroom, he/she starts crying and gets scared. It seems like he/she is experiencing some sort of anxiety.
I'm not sure where this fear is coming from, but I'd like to know what I can do to help him/her overcome it. I've tried talking to him/her calmly and reassuringly, but it doesn't seem to be helping much.
Is there anything else that I can do to help my toddler overcome this fear and start feeling comfortable when going to the bathroom? Any tips or advice would be greatly appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Hi there,
I totally understand how you are feeling, as I had a similar experience with my toddler. She was absolutely terrified of using the toilet due to her prior experience with constipation and pain.
To tackle her fear, I started with a conversation about how every person uses the toilet and how it is a natural bodily function. I also used a children’s book about potty training to make it a fun storytime activity. We giggled about how funny it is to fart and poop, and she started to understand the concept of using a toilet.
One thing that also worked for us was distraction. I encouraged her to bring her favorite toy or book to the toilet, which not only distracted her from her fear but also made it a fun and interactive activity.
Another thing that helped us was maintaining a routine. I made sure that we established a fixed toilet time with incentives such as positive reinforcement when she is feeling comfortable enough to use it without being afraid.
Lastly, we talked about healthy food habits and how it’s essential to avoid foods that might lead to constipation, which also eased her fear of going to the restroom.
In conclusion, I hope that our experience might be helpful. It is important to remember that every child is different, but with a patient and positive approach towards potty training, it will become a breeze in no time!