Hi. Thanks for your query. Noted the history and understood your concerns. Irregular bowel movement in your stepson or your husband indicate that there is most probably lack of proper bowel training. Yes, this can be due to hard stool impaction or even due to fecolith formation or some sort of neurogenic problems. Hence I would advise both the following although there is a age difference between the two. Get an X-ray of the abdomen as this usually shows any fecolith, the condition of large bowel and so on. Get started on different types of stool softeners or laxatives and evacuators. Something out of these may be most useful and may give early morning urge at the proper time. It may be needed to give soap-water enema in conventional ways. Also identify the foods and beverages that are known to give constipation or hard stools and stop these altogether. Help with proper foods helps evacuation. I may also be needed t have colonoscopy and biopsy to find if there is any neurological problem causing the symptoms.