5 yo and potty power struggles

[dharmama]

My daughter is about to turn five and for the most part handles all her own pottying needs independently.

But there are times -- like this morning -- when I want her to go to the bathroom before we leave the house and she absolutely refuses to even try.

It is 9 a.m. and she has been awake for over an hour and has not yet gone. We are about to get in the car to spend the morning at a farm where we will not have access to bathroom.

I just told her she has to go outside and play while I tidy up (hoping the cool air will send her running back in) but she's been out there for a good 10 minutes and says she's fine.

I'm seeing a bunch of ways I could adapt our morning....plan a stop on the way at a coffee shop that has a restroom....bring a portable potty....bring a change of clothes just in case....but I'm also feeling like geeze...why does this have to be such an issue??????

Argh.

Any thoughts/ideas????

[jojojojojo]

Do you go to the bathroom before leaving the house? Maybe you can make it something that just gets done, where EVERYONE tries to go potty before leaving, whether or not they need it.

[Marsupialmom]

I agree the rule is every one tried before you leave. I would also wonder if she needs more water/fluids through out the day.

[library lady]

We have a routine where everyone goes to the potty before we leave. I try to time it so that my almost 5 yo is on the potty while I am washing my hands so she will hear the running water.

[dharmama]

thanks for the great ideas!

she ended up holding it until early this afternoon. turns out she needed to have a bm and it was hurting her so she was trying to avoid going to the bathroom this morning.