Q: My 5-year-old son has many times got up at night and urinated either in the bedroom, closet or hallway. Is this common or unusual? Several family members think this is rather odd. Do I have to worry about this?

A:Children are usually completely toilet-trained by the age of 5 years. But there are individual differences. Try to identify the reason for this behaviour, as it could be due to a variety of reasons. Is the problem happening because he is not able to reach the toilet on time? As parents are you ensuring that he relives himself before going to bed? Is he trying to show some kind of rebellion through this behaviour? Is there any insecurity in his mind? Is he subjected to severe scolding or criticism regarding toilet habits or any other matter? Is there any change in the household, such as a new sibling?If you are able to identify any such psychological reason, you can then take steps to rectify the situation. The best way to deal with this problem is to get him checked by a paediatrician to rule out any medical problem. In any case, be patient and do not criticize or belittle him. Explain to him that it is not desirable and needs to be stopped. Encourage him and praise him when the episode does not happen. Show him that he is loved unconditionally even though this problem needs to be rectified.