How to Potty Train a Boy
There are a number of reasons that when you potty train boys it is different to potty training a girl. Firstly, there is the obvious physical difference in anatomy, and secondly there is the difference in the rate of maturity.
To sit first or to stand is a dilemma when you toilet train boys. It is recommended that you train your son to sit initially, and then, when you are comfortable that he has the necessary control move on to teaching him to stand. A male role model will ideally show him how it is done and provide the necessary tips in aim, safety and consideration.
With regard to safety, either remove the splashguards from potties and toilet adaptors or pay very close attention when your son’s getting on and off potties and toilets. Splashguards are considered by some to be dangerous and have a high risk of trapping or scraping private parts.
Boys tend to show signs of readiness later than girls. Therefore, because girls tend to start their training earlier they finish earlier at around 2.5 years old on average. Boys tend to finish around 3 years old. In addition, more boys than girls have difficulty with bedwetting. By understanding that boys mature at a difference rate to girls, you be in a better position to be patient with your son.
Here are some potty training tips for boys:
1. Male modeling – a same sex parent or sibling is the ideal person to show your son how boys use the toilet. Some experts believe that one of the reasons boys finish training later than girls is because most primary potty trainers are the mother or another female caregiver. The lower exposure to a same sex role model for toileting is thought to be responsible for some of the delay.
2. Toilet seat safety – as with the splashguard, the toilet seat on the ‘big’ toilet is a trapping hazard. Take extra time to teach your son how to lift and replace the toilet seat safely.
3. Target practice – to help your boy’s urinating aim, try putting cherrios or screwed up balls of paper into the bowl. Another option to try to encourage your son to urinate into the bowl is to add a couple of drops of red or blue food color to the bowl water. Watching the color change from red to orange or from blue to green will appeal to your boy’s sense of fun.
4. Hold down penis – when teaching your son to urinate sitting down, teach him to hold his penis down to ensure that the stream goes into the potty or toilet. Also train him to give his penis a couple of shakes upon completion to remove any excess urine.
5. Cleaning up – from early on, ensure that your son is made responsible for cleaning up any splashes. Have some antibacterial wipes handy to make this as easy as possible. It is never too early to teach consideration for others.
6. Seat down afterwards! – another lesson in consideration that is never too early to impart.
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If you are looking for easy, inexpensive activity ideas to do with your toddlers and preschoolers, check out my other website Doing Stuff With Kids.
