[workingclassryan]

we have a 2 year old foster baby who plays with her poop. she does it while shes supposed to be asleep and will sneak off to do it. shes so quick and sneeky about it we have a hard time catching her before she does it. she is not quite ready to be potty trained so i know that is not the problem. we have been told this might be a sign she was sexually abuse before we got her. has anyone heard or experienced this before?

[Barksum]

Some kids just do this with no adverse history or anything. It is just interesting to do. Sometimes, during this exploratory period of their lives, they even get gourmet about it. (that is, eat what they find) Where's the barfing smilie?

We have also been told that it can be due to anger/frustration, sex abuse, or other trauma. It is something that the cw should be advised of, as well as the CASA or GAL. Talk with the pediatrician and see what s/he suggests as well.

[qs mom]

My son is an International adoptee. On my pick up trip, at the Embassy waiting for my appointment, I looked down and he had pulled his fingers out of his diaper and was licking them. (I agree - need a barfing smilie) After bringing him home, he would play too. I didn't know this until I found poop fingerprints and smears on his bedroom furniture, furniture in the enclosed front porch, etc.

I think it was a security thing for him. As he became more attached and secure in our home, he stopped.

Has she been with you long? Long enough to trust you? I really don't know what you can do to stop her, but I would follow Barki's advice and advise those in 'the system'.

[workingclassryan]

she has been with us for a year. we have been talking to or case workers and to a group called soonercare that works with dhs in making sure that the child is developing ok. she has done this since we got her. we have two little boys of our own and we have experience the whole "exploratory period" both one of them but he only did it once or twice. we will probably need to consult a psycologist since this is getting unbearable. most would agree, you cant watch a 2 year old 24 hours a day or say they never do things they arent supposed to.

[lyssie]

I don't think the playing with thte poop is so strange as a few of my bio's who I know the history on did it but, the sneaking and not wanting to give 4it up may be concerning. One of my ds did this repeatedly and took several experiences before he finally gave it up. Are there other concerning behaviors to go with this one???