My nephew poops his pants at school everyday. He is my sister's step-son and I feel that maybe he's doing this as a cry for help. His family situation is rocky. His pediatrician doesn't know what's going on with him. Any suggestions?

I have a 10-year-old nephew that has the same problem. He was a hard child to potty train, then his parents went through a bad divorce. I think it started off as emotional, but now he's messed up his system to the point where he can't control it.

A few weeks ago, I talked to a retired pediatrician that said it was a medical condition (although I don't remember the name of it.) The treatment would be to give him a good cleaning out, then add mineral oil to his diet. I passed this on to my sister (his mom), but I think she's afraid to confront the issue because of the things he went through during the divorce. (She's afraid it will be her fault.)

Who said that the ped doesn't know what's going on? Did your sister or her husband hear this come from the doctor or from the child's mother? If it came from the Mom, there is a chance that the doctor doesn't even know. If it did come from the doctor, ask for a referal to a specialist. Too much emotional damage is being done by not finding the root of the problem.