Potty Training Boys - Physical Signs

When your potty training boys it's important that you know how to recognize that your son is ready to begin potty training.

Does your toddler have regular bowel movements throughout the day?

Some children go potty two or three times each day, while others may go two or three days at a time. As you can see, there's a wide range when it comes to predictable bowel movements. It's important for you to know your child's schedule, so that you'll be able to see any changes that might signal a problem while potty training.

Sometimes, a child will hold in their bowel movements when they begin potty training. Either out of fear of using the potty, or just plain nervousness. This can lead to the child becoming constipated which will make potty training even more difficult. By knowing their schedule, you'll see if there's a change in your child's schedule - which will help you prevent them from becoming constipated.

Does your son stay dry for two or more hours throughout the day?

This is an important sign to take notice of. When you start potty training you're going to be making a lot of trips to the potty, but your son needs to show some type of control by being able to stay dry for a few hours at a time. And he'll need to be able to communicate that he needs to go, so it's important that he understands the signs.

When the little man wakes up from his nap, is he dry?

Again, this shows some control on your son's part. You're going to want your toddler to be able to communicate the need to potty. After a child wakes up from a nap or a night's sleep, you want to place them on their potty seat first thing, as they'll most likely be ready to go.

By following these early signs - you'll be able to make your experience with potty training boys that much easier.

When Potty Training Boys Treat Accidents Lightly

When potty training boys, you need to remember to keep your cool. It's so important that you don't embarrass the child if they have an accident, or make them feel bad because it's only going to make them scared to potty train.

Self confidence is really built with a positive potty training process. But you can really hurt a child's self-image if you punish or react negatively to situations and problems brought up during potty training.

And when you're potty training boys, you're going to be cleaning up accidents. You're going to be seeing them - it'd be great if there were no accidents during potty training, but then it's not always supposed to be easy right?

HarpersDad

Potty Training Boys Using A Rewards System

I’ve seen so many different ways that people have come up with rewarding the kids when they’re potty training boys.

The idea is simple - reward successful trips to the potty and positively reinforce the behavior. You can do this in a number of ways. The most popular way seems to be to create a potty prize bag.

Fill a bag or bucket with a number of small toys or stickers or something similar that you’re child will like. When they have a successful trip to the potty - they get to pull a prize out of the potty prize bag.

I haven’t talked to anybody that has used this method of potty training boys - but I see it all over when I’m doing research on the subject. So my guess is that it has some success associated with it.

I imagine that it’s important to only use the potty prize bag for the potty. Don’t start mixing it with other tasks that you want to reward the child for - otherwise it will lose it’s value when you need it for potty training.

You can also try this - place a calendar (preferably one with characters the child likes) in a conspicuous place. Everyday that the child doesn't have an accident let the child place a sticker (a star, or a favorite cartoon character) on that day. Keep this up till the child has a full month with no accidents.

Like I’ve said before - potty training boys doesn’t have to be difficult, there are so many resources out there to use - or you can be creative and come up with a system like this for yourself. Good luck!

HarpersDad

When Potty Training Boys - Look for these signs of readiness

I came across an interesting article in Seacoastonline.com that gave a nice list of things to look for when potty training boys.

The list was such a good list - I just wanted to give it to you hear as I saw it:

Physical signs:

* Remains dry for at least two hours at a time during the day.
* Dry after nap time.
* Regular and predictable bowel movements. (Some children move their bowels two to three times a day, others may go two to three days without a bowel movement.)
* Has learned to walk and possibly run.

Behavioral signs:

* Seems uncomfortable with soiled or wet diapers.
* Seems interested in the toilet or potty chair.
* Has asked to wear "grown-up" underwear.
* Able to sit down and play quietly for about five minutes.
* Able to help dress and undress self.

Cognitive signs:

* Wants to put toys and other possessions where they belong.
* Able to understand and follow simple directions.
* Takes pride in accomplishments.
* Not in a period of negativism.
* Aware of the process of elimination and the physical signs that it is time to go.
* Understands and uses words for elimination.

If you’re wondering if you should start potty training - this is a good way to tell if your child is ready. I’ve said before - when potty training boys it’s best not to start to early - if the child is not ready, it’s not going to go well. This list should give you a good idea!

HarpersDad

Potty Training Boys - It’s a Potty Party!

I just read a review of a new children’s book about potty training boys. It’s called “Island Potty Party.” How great is that?

I like how all the kids are lined up for the bathroom in the picture!

I might have to order this book from Amazon - it looks pretty amusing. So if it amuses me and helps with the potty training - you can’t beat that.

The idea of the book is to entertain the child but also teach them the process of going to the potty. Now I know with the difficulty in potty training boys - something like this might really help. It’ll give the child some confidence as well as entertain them.

Apparently the book also comes with a cd of music that the child can dance to - perhaps learning the potty dance isn’t such a bad thing!

I’ve got so many potty training boys books - but I don’t actually have any children’s books about potty training. Might have to give this one a good look at.

HarpersDad

When Potty Training Boys Standing Is Better Than Sitting

In a recent study that looked at potty training boys, it was determined that boys who are potty trained standing up, are potty trained on average 2 months faster than a boy who is trained sitting down.

They also found that boys showed more interest in potty training when given the option of standing. The article that I read this info in also suggested that when potty training boys you should take advantage of one of the new potty training urinals to facilitate the boys standing. I would have thought you could have just used a stool for them to stand on - but the researchers pointed out that stability is a key component to successfully toilet training boys, and a stool undermines some of that stability.

I’ve read that on average that boys are finished potty training 4 months later than girls - usually after their third birthday. So by training them standing up - you might cut the difference between boys and girls down significantly. Again - potty training boys is a little different than potty training a girl - so make sure you study up if you had a girl first, because it's going to be different this time around.

HarpersDad

Potty Training Boys With Elimination Communication

I was just reading an article about potty training boys on PioneerLocal.com. It was talking about an idea called elimination communication.

This is the first time I’ve seen this theory on potty training. You can do this for potty training boys or girls really. The idea behind it is that children usually give off some sort of cue that they are about to go potty (eliminate - I like that word, I think I might start asking Harper if he has to eliminate). Anyways - they’ll either make a certain face or sound prior to having to go.

When you see the cue - you take them to the toilet and hold them over it. They’re talking about doing this with 1 year olds and younger! Interesting - I’d like to see more on this, but this was all I could find on it at this moment. It might be an interesting way to start potty training boys - but it does sound like some work too - as you’ll always be running to the bathroom with the child.

I haven’t tried this method of potty training boys - but it’s interesting and I’ll definitely have to look up more info on it.

HarpersDad

When Should You Start Potty Training Boys?

What signs should you look for when potty training boys? Well first, it’s important that your toddler express some sort of interest in toilet training. Without their interest, you might as well be trying to teach them calculus.

Another big factor is “the feeling.” Can your boy tell you when he needs to go? Is he showing signs of bladder control? This is huge in deciding when to start because let’s face it, if he can’t tell you when he needs to go it’s going to be hard to get there on time. Potty training boys doesn't have to be difficult.

Most boys can begin telling you this they're having "the feeling" between 18 months and two years - though it does vary with each child. Around this time is a good time to begin thinking about potty training. With a little bit of info you can make potty training boys a lot easier on boy yourself and your toddler.

HarperDad

Consistency is the Key When Potty Training Boys

Here's another great tip for potty training boys in that article in the Asbury Park Press that I read.

Though it might be a big milestone - potty training boys can also be a trying time in both you and your toddler’s lives. But that’s why every little detail counts, every little tip can make the process that much easier.

Consistency is a big factor. You and your husband might be working really hard at home and on family outings in your toilet training efforts. But what about the times when your toddler isn’t with you? Is grandma helping? His preschool teacher? Is he seeing that this is a process everywhere, and not just with mommy and daddy?

Enlisting the help of grandma and aunts and uncles can be a big help to your efforts when potty training boys. And don’t forget older siblings - are they helping and showing a good example? Usually, children with older siblings finish potty training earlier than children without older siblings.

HarpersDad

When Potty Training Boys Let Them Get Used To The Potty

Here's a tip for potty training boys that you might not have seen. I found this one in the Asbury Park Press.

Potty training is a big step in a child’s development, and when potty training boys most parents can use all the tips they can get.

Familiarize your toddler with the portable potty. Keep it in different rooms. Bring it along with you on trips. Keep it in view. If he wants to play with it and use it as storage for his toys, let him - but make sure you explain what it’s real function is. Soon, the portable potty will become just another piece of furniture in your house.

So when you’re potty training boys, help your little one get over his fear of the potty. A lot of fear is based on the unknown - and by following these little steps your toilet training efforts might go a little bit easier.

HarpersDad