So what is it about pooping on the potty that has these kids so confounded?

It seems like everyone I talk to- in real life, and on here- has the same issue.
Their DC's will be potty trained for pee, but refuse to poop on the potty.
Even the daycare teachers say it's super common.
Why do you think that is?
Is pooping more traumatic than peeing?
Does it hurt? Are they scared?
But why can they do it with no problem in a diaper, a pull up, their underwear?
What is it about sitting down on the toilet or potty that makes them freeze up?

The other day DD screamed- I have to go poopy! I raced her to the bathroom , got her underwear and shorts down and she sat on the potty- for less than 3 seconds! She shot straight up and said- OK I'm done.
5 minutes later she was yelling about poopy again. I went to take her to the bathroom again and there was a HUGE poop in her underwear
So she knew she had to go- told me- got to the potty and freaked out. Then proceeded to cr@p her pants.


Why do you think this pooping thing is so hard to get down?

So what is it about pooping on the potty that has these kids so confounded?

I don't know, but I'm dreading potty training!

Re: So what is it about pooping on the potty that has these kids so confounded?

I wish I knew!!! DS just will not do it - he's been essentially potty trained for over a year - night time even for at least 7+ months. But will not poop in a potty. (well, he did it about 4 times. And it was never a complete poop sorry TMI.)
He won't poop in his underwear but always asks for or just grabs a pull up and goes. Anytime we have tried to take them away, he will hold it for days until he is leaving skid marks on his underpants and crying from being in pain. It's awful!!!

Re: So what is it about pooping on the potty that has these kids so confounded?

When I worked in daycare I always saw this. There were some kids who were potty trained for months going pee but only pooped in a pull up. I don't get it either. I think sometimes it's a control issue and sometimes it's a fear issue. Good news is eventually they grow out of it.