It’s not unusual for a child to peer into the toilet and watch the water swirl down the hole to the sound of the loud flush and become confused or fearful about the noise or the hole. They all get past this fear in time, but there are a number of ways to help him overcome his apprehension:

 
·          For a while, wait until he leaves the room and flush for him. After a few days or a week casually flush while in the middle of talking, singing or playing. Don’t make it a big deal.

·          Chat about what happens when the toilet flushes. Get a book or two from the library about plumbing or visit a plumbing fixture showroom and do some exploring. (Just watch him carefully so he doesn’t use a model toilet!)

·          Play a game: Stand a foot or so from the toilet. Take turns tossing Cheerios or Froot Loops into the toilet, and then flushing and watching them swirl away.

·          If he has a cousin or friend who’s relaxed about flushing let the other child flush while your son is in the room.

·          Play music in the bathroom to mask the loud flushing sound.

·           Be very relaxed; this is a normal fear and usually passes quickly.