Potty Training Boys

[cybrkitn]

My son still has accidents at night too. Hes a very heavy sleeper, and talks in his sleep. We figure that he may actually think that hes getting up and going, but hes really still sleeping. Oh, well.

That's cute

 

[drag n' fly]

Lots of great advice that I have also used. My 2 cents is when they get to the point of standing and using the big potty we used the cheerios to teach them to aim. I would say aim for the hole in the cheerio. Made for a lot less cleaning! Both our boys used the little potty until they were three and then the big potty after. My dd was a nightmare to train. All I can say is I am DONE and I hope to never see another diaper again until I am a Grandma!

 

[Sleepy]

When my son was ready for potty training, I had my dad build a small step box for my son to reach the toilet. We never used a potty chair. I find them unnecessary. They make seat inserts for children. They fit right on the regular toilet seat. My son sat on the seat for #2 but ALWAYS stood up to pee. It's how boys should be trained (IMO). Just chunk a few cheerios in the toilet and tell him to aim.

 

[tar heel]

As the mother of three boys, I can't wrap my mind around even the idea of toilet training one at 19 months. All of mine were 3 -- no way were they even close to ready at that age.

 

[powellrj]

with my 2 boys we found it easier to potty train them on the regular toilet by having them sit facing the tank. They would straddle the seat and face the tank. It works like a charm. There were no fountains that way and we didn't have to mess with a potty chair. Once they got the hang of it, we taught them the stand up method.

 

[Glinda64]

I really believe that you can not teach your children to toilet train. They have to kind of figure it out on their own. You can guide them on what to do, but they need to make the choice to be ready. There aren't many 19-month-olds, especially boys, who are ready for that. So, it could just be too early. Not saying it's impossible, but if he's not getting it, you may just have to wait until he does.

I agree.

 

[iloveboardwalk]

It's how boys should be trained (IMO).

Just curious, why?

My DS told me about 3 months ago he wanted to use the potty and we haven't had a single accident since. I figure the potty Gods were rewarding me for not killing my DD during the year and half it took to get her to learn.

 

[Glinda64]

As the mother of three boys, I can't wrap my mind around even the idea of toilet training one at 19 months. All of mine were 3 -- no way were they even close to ready at that age.

Me, too. Both of my boys were 4 before they were completely potty trained. It's just not possible to control another person's bodily functions...lol.

 

[disneyvacationmom]

I agree with the previous poster--Sit the boys facing the tank--we did that when I worked in day care and seemed to alleviate a lot of fears, My son was a breeze at 18 months--stickers worked for him--everytime he sat on the toilet he got a sticker--2 if he did something--my daughter on the other hand was 2 and stickers didn't cut it--smarties worked for her--I sound like a terrible mother using bribes but oh well, it worked--at 19 and 20 years old now they seem normal,lol

 

[iloveboardwalk]

I agree with the previous poster--Sit the boys facing the tank--we did that when I worked in day care and seemed to alleviate a lot of fears, My son was a breeze at 18 months--stickers worked for him--everytime he sat on the toilet he got a sticker--2 if he did something--my daughter on the other hand was 2 and stickers didn't cut it--smarties worked for her--I sound like a terrible mother using bribes but oh well, it worked--at 19 and 20 years old now they seem normal,lol

Don't worry, I think even the ones who won't admit to it have resorted to bribes at some point. Back when I was trying to potty train my daughter, there was a point when I would have gladly bought her a gold plated potty if she would just have used it.

 

[robinb]

Me, too. Both of my boys were 4 before they were completely potty trained. It's just not possible to control another person's bodily functions...lol.

Heck ... my DD wasn't pee trained until after 4 years old and she still had a couple of accidents in first grade when she was too busy to use the potty. She just wasn't that into using the potty, being wet didn't bother her and she had zero interest in making me happy, earning stickers, candy or treats. She is very independent and strong willed. It was her body and that was that. It was a nightmare. Thank goodness I only had one child, I don't think I could do that again! And I didn't even start at 19 months! She was well over 2 1/2 when we first started.

 

[va32h]

Actually, even anti-reward behaviorists will agree that using rewards to use the potty is the one good use of bribes.

My son was at least 3 when he was potty trained. Probably closer to 4. I think I am trying to block out that entire period, it was that traumatic for all of us!!

In the end I had "Spiderman" call him and tell him that if he wanted to be a superhero like Spidey, he had to wear underwear. Diapers are so bulky under one's tights, you know.

Anyway, I trained him sitting down, and he only started standing up when he went to school and saw other kids standing up. What can I say, he's still lazy!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

My youngest - I didn't rush it...I let him tell me when he was ready which was last year....he is 11 yrs old now..... Just kidding....I waited until he was about 2 1/2 yrs old and he didnt have a problem with bed wetting.

OMG, that had me laughing out loud.

 

[Desnik]

DS will be 4 in March and is not potty trained. He really could care less! I've tried everything. He'll go if I put him on it, but no way will he poop in it and he rarely tells me he has to go. He was a preemie and has been delayed with all the normal stuff kids do like crawling, walking, etc... He really has just learned how to talk, he's had speech and OT therapies for about 2 years now. Because of all this I really haven't pushed the issue. Everyone in my family really gets on me bad that I haven't pushed the issue harder with him. I just don't want to turn him off to it.
I really don't know what to do. A friend of mine told me not to worry, he won't go to college wearing a diaper LOL, but still if I want to put him in pre school he has to be trained.

DD was 2 and a half and fully potty trained and never had an accident at night!! She was just ready. I just got her her own potty, no bribes, she just did it. I was so lucky!

 

[kejoda]

DS will be 4 in March and is not potty trained. He really could care less! I've tried everything. He'll go if I put him on it, but no way will he poop in it and he rarely tells me he has to go. He was a preemie and has been delayed with all the normal stuff kids do like crawling, walking, etc... He really has just learned how to talk, he's had speech and OT therapies for about 2 years now. Because of all this I really haven't pushed the issue. Everyone in my family really gets on me bad that I haven't pushed the issue harder with him. I just don't want to turn him off to it.
I really don't know what to do. A friend of mine told me not to worry, he won't go to college wearing a diaper LOL, but still if I want to put him in pre school he has to be trained.

DD was 2 and a half and fully potty trained and never had an accident at night!! She was just ready. I just got her her own potty, no bribes, she just did it. I was so lucky!

Does your son go to Early Childhood Special Ed classes through the school system? Our middle son is developmentally delayed and went there. We didn't have to worry about getting him pottied train since they were equipped to handle it. He was almost 5 before he was day timed trained and about 51/2 little older for overnites.

 

[Southern4sure]

OMG, that had me laughing out loud.

I was beginning to wonder if anyone would catch that.............

 

[#1Disfan]

Well, my $0.02 is that you can't train your kids-- they just train you! I also feel that potty training isn't complete until they can do all (or most) of the job themselves.

My DD was 2 when DT (also b/g) were born. She was (probably) ready to train when they were born, but with regression being so common, I didn't want to push my luck! Right after her 3rd BD she was done, and by 3 1/2, dry at night as well. I can count accidents on one hand, mostly through operator error (mine).
My twins (3) are teetering on the edge of wearing undies full time, but I don't think pull ups are much different than diapers, so I just avoid them. DD3 is very close, Mommy just needs to focus more. DS is getting there, but still needs a little more time.
IMHO, it's also a LOT different when there are 2 obstinate toddlers, as well. Either they cheer each other on, or they distract each other... makes for many damp floors!

Good luck! esp coming from someone who has been changing diapers consecutively for 5 years and 2 months (and counting down the days!!)


Elin

I have to admit...your post made me laugh!!!

I am not really forcing either one to try and go potty. We have the potty chairs in the bathroom and when we change diapers, both usually tell me "potty" so we go in and try (mostly play for my daughter). My son will usually go potty though, but of course standing. Maybe I will try some of the tricks listed...thanks for all your help!

 

[mla2177]

I started training my son at 23 months and he was done in three weeks. I listened to my Granny who always said once you take the diaper off don't ever put it back on. She said if they can tell you when the are hungry and thirsty then they can tell you when they need to use the bathroom. She was right!!!! I never used pull ups or diapers at night either. I am a SAHM which is mandatory IMO to try this method. I had three weeks of pure he**, but I'd rather have that than a year of training!!! At my son's 2 yr well visit his pediatrician gave me a hug when she saw him in Big boy underwear. She said that is the method she recommends to mothers that ask her, but with so many working moms nowadays, it's hard to stay in the house for weeks with them. I know that is how my entire generation was trained, and you hardly ever saw 4 yr olds in diapers!!!!!!!! You didn't give them the option, you just told them this is what we are going to do!!!!!

I am always told, well you just got lucky, your next one may not be that easy. Well, everyone of my siblings and cousins have trained the same way, and not one has gone past a month!!!!!!!

 

[ChrisnSteph]

Good luck. I started around DS's 2nd birthday and so far, haven't had much success. My mom keeps telling me I need to just move him right into big boy underwear,but I'm not sure I'm ready for that yet.

TOV

This really does work! I did it with both of my boys, and within a week or two they were trained. They hated soiling themselves, and it got messy at times, but eventually they realized it was way less gross if they just went on the potty. My 4 year old is a very heavy sleeper and still has to wear pull ups at night. I'd give it a shot for a day or two and see how it goes! I also helped them when they were at the potty buy running the water to motivate them to go. Potty training girls is so much easier!

 

[Pooh_Friend#1]

Potty training girls is so much easier!

I have heard that and while working in the 2 year old room for 6 years at a daycare, I can definitely agree with that statement.