help!! My 5 1/2 year old is fixated with the toilet!?

Question

I need advice on how to keep my 5 1/2 year old from constantly flushing "unflushable" items down the toilet. He's clogged it too many times, causing my husband to have to take the whole toilet off each and everytime. We've had to call an emergency plumber more than once (cost us $150 each time) and we've even had to purchase a new toilet - my husband cracked it while banging on it, hoping to get out a tennis ball that was stuck. His fixation seem to have started from around 11mths, my husband was watching him while I was out and found him standing "in" the toilet bowl. Thought it would pass with time, but turning 6 in June and no end seems to be in sight. Any advice? Please!

Answer 1

Keep the bathroom door CLOSED and put one of those child safety lock thing on the door knob. That should take care of the problem. Other than that every time he throws something into the toilet or FLUSHES it for that matter punish him. He is no longer allowed to flush the toilet. If he does he is punished. Between the two one if not BOTH should fix the problem. He has to learn to listen to you and do as he is told. And at 51/2 he is old enough to know what NO means.

Answer 2

As silly as it sounds keep the door shut, install a KEY lock on it. anytime he ha to use the rest room unlock it. This mayy seem kinda inconvient, but it will save you money. Also expalin to him that if he flushes anything other than ya know then there will be consequences. Such as if he causes it to overflow, he will have to clwean up the mess..

Answer 3

Whenever he gets something stuck, take it away once it is out. Also, get him some kind of toy that involves water. Kids love to play with water and the toilet might be his toy.

Answer 4

lock the DOOR! hell soon realize he cant do that anymore so he'll find something else to start doing