Advice on a Strange New Interest.

My daughter is almost 2 and 1/2 and we are trying to potty train but have been pretty unsuccessful so she the majority of the time still wears her huggies. However she will tell us she poops then when we change her diaper she proceeds to pull her legs past her head and try to grab it. I guess they are just amazed that "poop" comes out of thier bodies. I just tell her move your hands please and eww that is dirty poopy...and they she just says dirty poopy. Its completely normal.

I think she is fascinated with the texture of the poop and the fact that she made it herself. My girls use to put their hands in the jelly jar, and a number of other mushy things. I would introduce her to playdough or clay. There are play kits available were she can make different things. I would also invest in a good hand sanitizer to reduce her risk for infection. Keep me posted.

Maybe you've tried this, but I would research and then purchase for her a few different types of "substances" that are similar in consistency to poop while being appropriate to handle, such as play dough, fake snot and the like. I know for a fact that they have kits with which you can create fake snot, for I have worked with one with my ten year old daughter. You two could make the snot together and play with it together - just read the box for age appropriateness.

I would then be very firm in forbidding her from partaking in her present activities and give her consequences that she will understand, such as time out or, taking away a toy, so she understands that it is not acceptable in your household. or mine! :) Having created some alternatives, this shouldn't be quite as difficult. Then I would monitor her "on the low" and give her an opportunity to demonstrate that she will adhere to your expectations.

Finally, I might see if there is a science museum or program (maybe zoo program) that deals with feces on a scientific level with gloves and containers and disinfectant. Exposing her to it in that way may help her to classify her activities differently (with direction from you) and to understand time and place. You could create an environment at home similar to the one at the museum and allow her to explore the items you purchase that way.

These may seem like crazy ideas, but hey, I'm a crazy mom.

When my oldest was little, if he went to the toilet in the middle of the night when we were asleep, it was a strong possibility that the shampoo toothpaste, tiolet paper, or any kind of liquid mess he could climb up to would end up somewhere it didn't belong, and sometimes, not to be vulgar, but you wouldn't find it until the morning while doing your daily routine,(sitting down on the toilet to find yourself stuck to a toothpaste covered seat is a rude awakening.) He did draw with his poop on the bathroom wall one evening. That was foul. I made him help clean it up. He was not allowed to leave my side until I told him it was good enough, then he got hosed down outside and put in the shower, not the tub. No bath for the poop covered child. (I didn't want him sitting in fecal-water.)He was genuinely upset that he couldn't leave my side and by the shower and he never did it again. I don't know if that would work for you, but it won't hurt to try it. Good luck.
T.