What method of potty training worked best for your boy?

1. 68

   Mama Kim 8posted 13 years ago

   What method of potty training worked best for your boy?
   
   My son has some OCDs so having him go naked bottom worked instantly. Granted I didn't even try potty training him until after he turned 2.

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2. 36

   ChristinSposted 13 years ago

   I wish I knew the answer to this question - when I figure it out with my current little one I"M going to write a book on it lol.  He is almost 4 and still refuses.  My oldest son just sort of made up his mind he wanted to do it when the time was right, he was just under 3.  He had lots of oopsies, but I didn't harp on it or get down on him for it and so he felt confident and continued to try.  I think confidence/fear is a big factor in it.  If they feel a sense of accomplishment and supported they will keep doing it once they actually start.
   
   With my current not so little guy it has been a battle of wills I tell you.  I have tried sticker rewards, potty movies, books, being naked (he'll just pee on the floor) - pullups, regular underpants, ignoring the issue, etc.  Right now we have a calendar and his birthday is in August and we told him you have to go potty by your birthday or your big boy presents are going to be put away until you do.  You can't have a big boy birthday until you are going potty like a big boy.  I am crossing fingers this is going to work.... I'm at the end of ideas and patience lol.

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   1. 68

      Mama Kim 8posted 13 years agoin reply to this

      Aww don't worry, I'm sure he'll get there. My little brother... well not so little anymore (6ft 15year old) didn't potty train until just after 4 years. I've heard boys are a lot harder than girls to potty train.

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3. 79

   calynbanaposted 13 years ago

   The easiest method of potty training for boys is to have them watch dad, or another comfortable male figure in their life. I know it sounds really awkward to the men but this would be who the boys are looking up to. They want to be them, and they will try to imitate them.
   
   Try to avoid rewards. Going to the washroom is not supposed to be a big deal, it should be a "good for you" moment. Not a "My child is amazing I must reward this amazing accomplishment" moment. Also when the rewards cease, or is forgotten the child may become very upset, confused, they may refuse to continue the positive behavior or even resort to negative behavior.
   
   When it comes time for them to learn to differentiate between the times to sit and the times to stand things become more difficult. Explain the process, expect some times where you have to clean up, teach them to tuck, and wait. They will realize on their own faster if you enforce regular toilet trips but do not make the toilet trips into a huge deal.
   
   I work in a school with kids between 18 months and 5. All of our kids are potty trained (Usually before they turn two). It just took patience, and they learned in about a month or two max. No rewards, no praise, just a simple "You did it!" was sufficient.

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   1. 68

      Mama Kim 8posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      Kids do get hooked on rewards sometimes! A simple praise worked well enough for us as well.
      I agree with watching dad but I think it works with mom too.

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   2. 79

      calynbanaposted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I think watching mom confuses boys. Mom just sits down, boys need to think about sitting or standing, as well as aiming. Seeing a woman do it does not really teach them anything beyond that mom uses a toilet.

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   3. 68

      Mama Kim 8posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I haven't taught my boy to stand yet. He's fully out of diapers but sits for everything. My husband and I decided we would introduce standing after he had mastered basic potty training . So I'm sure we'll start that soon.

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4. 60

   Steadman11posted 12 years ago

   I went through the same thing Christin did, to an extent. My eldest would have #2 accidents daily, but would ALWAYS go #1 where he was supposed to. We tried many of the same techniques with him and none seemed to work. My youngest is less than 2 years younger and it was coming up time for him to start potty training. It was about 2 months before his 2nd birthday and a few weeks before my oldest's 4th. I showed him what to do, told him to watch his brother and do what he did. (Their father was TDY at the time) He caught on almost immediatly. When my oldest realized that his younger brother was going to do something 'better' than he, the accidents almost immediatly came to a halt. By the time my husband returned 3 weeks later, we were accident free from both of them. So for me, what calynbana said worked....they taught one another.
   
   For Christin, I tried the whole "take away the birthday" thing, but for us it was telling him he wouldn't be able to start school. I think that worked as well as the competetion. I know people say to only use positive reinforcement, but I am not a believer in that. I think that if you let him know your disappointed, it might work too. Boys love to make mommy happy, and if he see's he's not, then he might try next time. Also, regular potty breaks to get him in the habit. Kids get so excited while playing and forget they need to go. Stop him every hour or so and have him go. And DONT GIVE IN! Have him sit there until he goes. Eventually, he will understand that he HAS to and will do it. It'll happen eventually!

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   1. 68

      Mama Kim 8posted 12 years agoin reply to this

      I totally agree, using only positive reinforcement with children is silly. They need to know when they do something wrong just as much as when they do something good.

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