Poop and GD

[canadiannancy]

My DD1and DD2 who are 3 years old and 2 years old have been "painting" with poop for a good while. I would say it has been for about 6 monthes.

Basically I will go to their room and get them either in the morning, or after nap and they are covered with poop, and so is:

The furniture
The floor(carpet)
The walls
The doors
The window
The mirror
Toys
Blankies(special ones they each have that they need for naps/bedtimes)

And anything else. I have tried calmly telling them it is unacceptable. We poo in the potty preferably or diaper if we must but not on the floor and not to touch it. It is yucky. It could make them sick. It means we cannot go out to play if we were going to because it takes Mommy a long time to clean up. I have had them help me clean up a bit, the bath post poop is never a fun bath but a quick just wash up to make sure they are decontaminated. Today they helped wash the blocks so they were clean. My mom suggested having them help clean up But I have a hard time doing it. It is hard dirty work! It takes hours to scrub all walls furniture door window and carpet clean the floor And as I am talking to the girls I have gotten so angry. Which works with my grandma saying she thinks I am going to have give in and just smack them. They know what happens and still do it at least a couple of times a month! What should I do? It is not fun for anyone and it is driving me up the walls!

[BellinghamCrunchie]

I think prevention at this age is probably your best bet. I would put DD in a onesie or footie pajamas, or non-footie pajamas (backwards so the zipper is in back) if I wasn't able to supervise. But usually I would have a good idea when she was about to poop and supervise really closely then.

In addition to prevention, you might try to meet their sensory needs by having a tub of homemade playdoh by their bedsides for when they wake up (homemade playdoh is softer and has a more pooplike consistency than regular Playdoh), bathtime fingerpaints, etc.

[canadiannancy]

Unfortunately she is a frequent pooper, ans often poops during the night and doesn't say boo, just starts painting.

Never made homemade playdoh will have to see if I cana find a recipe for things I have on hand. They love bathtime and I try to have them have a "fun" bath every day since they enjoy it so much, never tried bathtime fingerpaints before...very good ideas thanks... As far as prevention by clothing....Z is the most adept streaker she can undress from anything in seconds and prefers to be naked...we have to work on that.

[mamaduck]

My sister (who is 12 years younger than I am) did this. It was awful. My mom and I would clean up together -- one of us would do the room and the other would give my sis a bath. It was very hard to stay calm sometimes.

We eventually got a handle on it (for the most part) by using disposable diapers at naptime and duct taping them (around the waist line, not on her skin.) We also put a baby moniter in her room and got very good at responding the *tiniest* sounds of stirring -- whisking her out of her room before she had a chance to start with the art work.

[Xoe]

I second the duct tape on the diaper, and using the head to toe pajamas. If they figure out how to unzip the pajamas, then you can find pajamas online that zip in the back. Cover-alls might also prevent them from accessing their own diapers. Sheesh. Two poop-smearing toddlers? You really have my sympathy. Sigh.

xoe

[NicaG]

No advice, but much sympathy. That must be really rough.

[rockportmama]

Does it only happen in their room? Any way to move them into your room so you know when they're up? Sounds like a really, really rough situation!

[canadiannancy]

My goodness. Nope. Room 99% of the time, but for example this morning I was making DD3s naptime bottle in the kitchen, was gone about 2 minutes(microwave he water for 80 seconds and a few more) came into the living room and DD2 had painted her baby sister and herself and the wall and floor. In 2 minutes! Worse was that I had a visit from CPS this afternoon so I had to work like a crazy woman to get everyone and everything fixed in 45 minutes.

I am tempted to get duct tape. for the diapers. It is insane. I am also definitely planning to make some changes so her sensory needs are met but holy poop. literally. I am sooooooo getting sick of it.

[Ruthla]

Along the lines of the duct tape on disposable diapers, diaper pins are pretty "toddler proof" for cloth diapers.

I've even used diaper pins to keep kids from unzipping their pjs.

[daniellebluetoo]

I second the diaper pins

AND you can try the sleep sac thing put on backwards. this has the benefit of them not being able to climb things/escape very well while wearing it!

I had to have one custom made for my DS when he was little because he was huge and they didn't make that size and to put the kind of fastners I wanted on it.

[Mimi]

Originally Posted by BellinghamCrunchie

I think prevention at this age is probably your best bet. I would put DD in a onesie or footie pajamas, or non-footie pajamas (backwards so the zipper is in back)

we do that , too , after a few "painting" incidents..

[redsfree]

No advice here but felt the need to post. Here's sending you some : that your DC will get past this stage quick!!

[canadiannancy]

Thanks I am very very greatfull dd1 never did this...and hoping dd2 stops soon.

[weliveintheforest]

Homemade playdough -
•1 cup flour
•2 Tbsp cream of tartar
•½ cup salt
•1 to 2 Tbsp cooking oil
•1 cup water
•food coloring (or koolaid, or turmeric for yellow)
Mix flour, cream of tartar, and salt in a pan. Mix desired coloring with water, add with oil to dry mixture. Cook over medium heat until thick. You will see a difference, and it will get quite stiff. After you are finished cooking, knead it a few times then let it cool. Keeps for a while, especially if you put it in the fridge. If you don't have cream of tartar, just leave it out. Maybe use a bit of cornstarch in it's place.

[canadiannancy]

Thanks so much for the recipe, I have everything but oil and colouring, will have to see what I can improvise for this afternoon....2 times in a week is enough.

[Fuamami]

Originally Posted by BellinghamCrunchie

In addition to prevention, you might try to meet their sensory needs by having a tub of homemade playdoh by their bedsides for when they wake up (homemade playdoh is softer and has a more pooplike consistency than regular Playdoh), bathtime fingerpaints, etc.

In their bedroom?!? I thought the goal was less mess!

I think this is a great idea, actually, but I would never allow my 2 or 3 yo to have playdough anywhere but at the kitchen table.

[canadiannancy]

Yeah...definitely going to try to do more activities like playdoh, making some tomorrow, but NOT in their rooms.....I imagine scraping playdoh off of rugs and doors and walls etc wouldn't be much more fun then poop(except the smell...OMG the smell). No mess today...especially good since I am fighting a wicked migraine and want it to go away for trick or treating soon. We coloured and built castles and DD2 spent a good portion of her day piggyback riding me....but no poop today...means good day Fingers crossed.

[canadiannancy]

Wow. Does it say something that I am extemely grateful that my girls haven't "painted" for two weeks!

We have been working with playdoh(homemade, colourless, but still works) and did some painting in the tub and trying to do whatever for the sensory parts of it...and....dd2 who seems to be the biggest painter has been piggybacked to me almost constantly for the last couple of weeks. So I think a combination of more stimulation and lack of opportunity has led to at least a temporary reprieve for my carpet cleaner and my sanity. I just wanted to post and thank for the ideas and support. It was a topic that I don't and didn't want to bring up with most people IRL, absent Dh is not GD and wanted corporal punishment for "painting" and he wasn't the only one to suggest it. I am so so glad that I prefer to try to meet their needs instead!:

[AllisonK]

I would be wary of putting the playdough in their room unsupervised. Homemade playdough has a lot of salt in it and should not be eaten. My DD (2) unfortunately loves the taste so its not like all kids think its yucky. I have to really watch her otherwise she will just sit and munch on a ball of dough. EWWW.

[canadiannancy]

Yup...not doing the crafts unsupervised since one of the things i am trying to avaoid is messy cleanup and other is sick babes.