My kindergardener scared of the school potties...HELP!!

[MoMofTWOkiddos]

My soon to be 5 year old is scared of the automatic flush toilets. In no way shape or form, will she use them! Since school started Thursday of last week, the school has called me 3 times each day to let me know my daughter has had an accident and to bring clothes up. On Friday, after the third call, they tried telling me my daughter had a bladder infection. I take her to the doctor after leaving the school. The doctor tested some things and well, it come back she has a UTI!
So, not only does she now have a UTI but she has this fear of no auto flush toilets. I was just made aware yesterday that the school has the auto flush toilets.

My question is this: how do you help a child with their fear of no flush toilets when they are not exposed to them at home?? I'm really at a loss on this.

[PinkParadox]

My youngest was scared of them for the longest time, because one flushed while she was still on it...and they're really loud...lol. you can try taking her places that have them, so you're there to reassure her and she gets use to it. Wish I had better advice :(. Here's a bump anyway.

[mommaFruFru]

Is it because they are loud? Uf so seebif her covering her ears before she stands, while its flushing, then pullung up her pants afterwards

[Tracys2]

Why would a school do that? Even my 7 year old doesn't like them.

For mine, it's the factor of surprise, like any second it could go off, and they don't know when. Kind of like when you watch a horror movie and you don't know when the bad guy is going to jump out of the woods.

If she doesn't take too long on the potty, you could show her what usually sets them off and kind of teach her how to be still on there so it's less likely to go off unexpectedly.

[mommatothree01]

Is there any way she could put a post it note over the auto flush part of it?  I know my kids were afraid of them too for awhile and I would do that when we were out together.  It was never an issue at school though, so I'm not sure how well that would go over.  Definitely get her teacher involved though and see if there are any toilets in the school that aren't auto flush.  If it's bad enough she's getting uti's from not going, there needs to be a change until she can outgrow the fear. 

[JulesFairy]

I agree with maybe the blocking of the sensor, and getting the school involved. Also maybe you can go in with her to the school bathroom after school or before school and see if you can help to acclimate her to atleast that specific one. I feel so bad for her.

[knagsmom]

Have her keep alittle package of post its in her pocket or tissue. Depending on where the sensor is she can cover it

Quoting mommatothree01:

Is there any way she could put a post it note over the auto flush part of it?  I know my kids were afraid of them too for awhile and I would do that when we were out together.  It was never an issue at school though, so I'm not sure how well that would go over.  Definitely get her teacher involved though and see if there are any toilets in the school that aren't auto flush.  If it's bad enough she's getting uti's from not going, there needs to be a change until she can outgrow the fear. 

[nomadbrat83]

Oldest dd is the same way. I pray that her school doesn't have them. She also starts kindergarten next week. She has SPD among other issues and freaks with the sound and feel of auto toilets.

[sunflowers12]

Just go in there use it show her its not going hurt her ... What other options are there?

[StudentofLife]

Take her to a bunch of other public restrooms and show her there is nothing to be scared of?

I am very germaphobic so that sounds like a last resort to me, but for others I'm sure that is a logical solution.

[SahmTam]

 My oldest has PDD-NOS and is very sensitive to sounds. He HATED those toilets. The good thing is that when we were there for orientation he heard it flush from out in the classroom and not when he was right there in the bathroom and the teacher mentioned the toilets were auto-flush. So, he had time to prepare his mind. He's a boy, though, and they don't have to sit like a girl (he made sure to hold his poop until later lol), so that would be scarier for a girl! He also only had 1/2 day K, so he could even often hold his pee. Sorry, I have no advice, but the teacher should be able to come up with some solution- I would think your daughter isn't the first kindergartener she's ever had to be afraid of them since they are pretty loud and unpredictable!