Calling All Mommies!!

bttrthnb4 · 03-12-2008, 05:17 PM

Okie dokie. I need all the tips and ideas I can get on potty training a little boy. My nephew will be two years old this Friday and I think it's probably about time for us to start trying to teach him how not to crap his pants, lol. I was thinking about getting him a little potty chair for his birthday. I've been told I should take him outside when we take the dog out and tell him to pee on a stick....but we live in the middle of town and I'm afraid if we just tell him to pee on something then we'll come home and he'll have hosed the dog. LOL...I know this is going to be quite an adventure and need all the help I can get!!

gfundaro · 03-12-2008, 05:25 PM

Well I potty trained my little sister, but that was easy because she saw that 'big sister' did it, so she just volunteered. My parents waited WAY too long to potty train my little brother (he's almost 4 now) but used a point system with prizes and drew a chart on this big posterboard. He got like, 10 pts for peepee and 20 pts for poopoo, and when he reached 100, 200, and 300 pts etc., he'd get a larger toy each time, from a coloring book to a new game for his V-smile.

They also got the (terrible) idea of having him run around without a diaper, thinking he wouldn't poop on the floor.

He did.

kellarooni · 03-12-2008, 08:21 PM

I have a four year old myself and also have a 2 1/2 year old nephew and with both of them it was a matter of them deciding they were going to do it. For my son it was his 3rd birthday and he hasn't had pull=ups since. For my nephew it happened about a month ago. There are so many things that people will tell you but the truth is all you can do is keep on them to go to the potty (and the little potty of their own does help!) and give them positive encouragement and it will come! Most of all be consistent with taking them to the potty and be consistent with putting him in "big boy underwear"!! Sorry to ramble...hope this helps.

JoyP · 03-13-2008, 02:04 AM

I stuck a target in the toilet, like a little bullseye, made it a game, copying Dad also helped a lot, this worked a treat with both my boys!

Axemistress · 03-13-2008, 05:02 AM

A bit of a nudie run in the backyard never goes astray and although it's not much fun cleaning up poop it's better outdoors than in!
Timing is important. A little potty of his own does help, and if he's comfortable sitting on it then all the better. Some kids just don't like sitting on it.
Best thing to remember - what goes in must come out. My son always did a major movement right after breakfast, and right after dinner like clockwork. If you can establish when the regular occurrence is, then catching it can be easier. Then, when it goes in the right place for the first time, you make such a big deal of them doing a totally amazing job, give rewards, treats, whatever works for you, and they'll be eager to impress you again as they get the idea that poop/wee in potty = major praise. My youngest son was trained at 2, he seemed to get the idea quickly, but not all kids are ready at the same age. It's hard to be patient at times, especially when you're changing a whole set of wet/poopy clothes for the third time in one afternoon, but getting angry with them about it can really set back progress.
Sorry about the long post...hope it helps!!

bttrthnb4 · 03-14-2008, 06:19 PM

Thank you ladies so much for all the help! I did buy him a potty chair this evening for his birthday...I really hope he is able to catch on quickly, but I'm preparing myself for a long training period, lol. I'm not even going to attempt the running around naked thing...my husband has waaaay too many electrical thingies laying around here and I can't handle two whiny boys right now, LOL. I wish I could be with him more during the day so that I could get a good idea of when he does go, but I'm praying his mother will help me with this...but sadly I'm not going to expect it. I'm going to try to get my husband to take him to the bathroom with him also...maybe the example will help him.

A couple more questions: a. is there a certain point that you get to before you use the big boy underwear or do you just start with that and hope for the best and b. he's not circumcised either...any idea what I should do differently other than trying to get him to clean it really really well?

I know this sounds perverted and I'm sorry, but are there any instructional videos on how to get a kid to wash their "peewee"?

gfundaro · 03-14-2008, 06:37 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bttrthnb4

Thank you ladies so much for all the help! I did buy him a potty chair this evening for his birthday...I really hope he is able to catch on quickly, but I'm preparing myself for a long training period, lol. I'm not even going to attempt the running around naked thing...my husband has waaaay too many electrical thingies laying around here and I can't handle two whiny boys right now, LOL. I wish I could be with him more during the day so that I could get a good idea of when he does go, but I'm praying his mother will help me with this...but sadly I'm not going to expect it. I'm going to try to get my husband to take him to the bathroom with him also...maybe the example will help him.

A couple more questions: a. is there a certain point that you get to before you use the big boy underwear or do you just start with that and hope for the best and b. he's not circumcised either...any idea what I should do differently other than trying to get him to clean it really really well?

I know this sounds perverted and I'm sorry, but are there any instructional videos on how to get a kid to wash their "peewee"?

My little brother isn't circumcised either...cleaning is a shower thing though, not really an every-urination thing; changing him wasn't different either. You can tell him to dab it with some TP after a tinkle, and when he gets older he can decide whether he wants to shake or not I suppose hehe

. I donno about instructional videos. But I know that they have to pull the foreskin back to be able to clean underneath it when they bathe because they do get smegma built up in there, and rinse well so there's no soap residue because it can irritate the skin. My parents bought my little bro pull-ups the first time he peed in the toilet. Then they got him some real undies when he went in on his own one day and did it standing up haha...he put one foot on the rim and actually aimed, we were all impressed.

almos2003 · 03-15-2008, 12:01 PM

LOL my son potty trained peeing on a tree he thought it was great! My 2 yr old likes to have the potty seat that fits in our toilet so he feels like a big boy. He hates the littler seats. So if the little seat doesn't work try that. And last but not least make sure to let him tell you he is ready, if there was one thing I learned is if you push them at all it can go the wrong way. Good Luck!

bttrthnb4 · 03-15-2008, 05:14 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfundaro

My little brother isn't circumcised either...cleaning is a shower thing though, not really an every-urination thing; changing him wasn't different either. You can tell him to dab it with some TP after a tinkle, and when he gets older he can decide whether he wants to shake or not I suppose hehe

. I donno about instructional videos. But I know that they have to pull the foreskin back to be able to clean underneath it when they bathe because they do get smegma built up in there, and rinse well so there's no soap residue because it can irritate the skin. My parents bought my little bro pull-ups the first time he peed in the toilet. Then they got him some real undies when he went in on his own one day and did it standing up haha...he put one foot on the rim and actually aimed, we were all impressed.

Okay...I don't know what my sister has been doing with him as far as bathtime cleaning of said peewee, but he fights me alot, so I've been making sure I clean it well when we change him..that's definitely going to be a challenge I think....

Quote:

Originally Posted by almos2003

LOL my son potty trained peeing on a tree he thought it was great! My 2 yr old likes to have the potty seat that fits in our toilet so he feels like a big boy. He hates the littler seats. So if the little seat doesn't work try that. And last but not least make sure to let him tell you he is ready, if there was one thing I learned is if you push them at all it can go the wrong way. Good Luck!

Thank you!! I made sure the one I bought him had the removable "transition" seat, just in case

gfundaro · 03-15-2008, 05:29 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bttrthnb4

Okay...I don't know what my sister has been doing with him as far as bathtime cleaning of said peewee, but he fights me alot, so I've been making sure I clean it well when we change him..that's definitely going to be a challenge I think....

Well the area under the foreskin is extremely sensitive, much more than the same area on a circumsized male. It is probably somewhat uncomfortable for him, especially if it's cleaned after every potty. Urine isn't going to get under there when he urinates at the toilet, and smegma isn't dangerous, so once-daily cleaning would be sufficient unless he has a really bad diaper-mess. Women actually produce much more smegma than males do, and there's no need to go in and flush that out (I'm very anti-douching).

bttrthnb4 · 03-15-2008, 06:00 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gfundaro

Well the area under the foreskin is extremely sensitive, much more than the same area on a circumsized male. It is probably somewhat uncomfortable for him, especially if it's cleaned after every potty. Urine isn't going to get under there when he urinates at the toilet, and smegma isn't dangerous, so once-daily cleaning would be sufficient unless he has a really bad diaper-mess. Women actually produce much more smegma than males do, and there's no need to go in and flush that out (I'm very anti-douching).

I don't know that's its uncomfortable that's the reason he won't let me get to it in the bath, he doesn't resist when I change him...he actually laughs at me (amazing how embarrassing a two year old's laughter can be, lol) He just won't let me down there...

And yeah, I preached to my mom when I found out she douched, LOL...she doesn't anymore!

gfundaro · 03-15-2008, 06:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by bttrthnb4

I don't know that's its uncomfortable that's the reason he won't let me get to it in the bath, he doesn't resist when I change him...he actually laughs at me (amazing how embarrassing a two year old's laughter can be, lol) He just won't let me down there...

And yeah, I preached to my mom when I found out she douched, LOL...she doesn't anymore!

Haha...yea...my little brother got a...'you know'...once when I was changing him and I made my stepmom finish, I was just mortified!

My mom did it too, and tried to talk me into...no way! They put vinegar in there sometimes, ew!!

DeannaOnlyne · 03-16-2008, 03:27 PM

I had a tough time with my son, but I tried to start him too early. He was 18 months the first time I tried. He ended up being trained by 2.5 years. But I had to stop and start when he was ready. Some people start around 3 and don't have as much trouble. There are lots of potty books. I got Bear and the Big Blue house Potty Video. It had lots of fun songs... I couldn't quite bring myself to singing in the potty though. Sometimes in the toy stores I hear mommies singing their potty song with their little one! LOL What ever works!!!

The first thing you should teach him is to get his pants on and off. If he can do that, then the toilet part is easier. It makes them more aware of their bodies. Until they care about their messes and body parts, they really don't "get it". And "getting it" was the final solution to my son's success.

Oh, and if he is into something like Thomas or Spiderman the big boy undies can play a part in the training.

Just a thought I had about your sister situation... If his training isn't consistant it's going to mess with his head.

Good luck. I hope it all goes smoothly for you!

Julie5150 · 03-16-2008, 09:52 PM

A few things that I've found are key for all my boys (I have 3 - we're potty training our 3rd now)

The right seat can make a big difference - the real-looking potty chairs are cute, but if there's a potty lid that they have to lift up and keep up/behind them while sitting it can be a distraction and a danger.

Pee guards are great for YOU but can be very bad for BOYS - try not to use them, put the potty seat on an easy-clean mess-matt (sold for use under high-chairs) These things are awesome!

Make a big deal out of your boy's efforts to use the potty - take pictures if you have too. Sing silly songs and all that goofy stuff. The more encouragement the better...the more fun YOU make it out to be the more that he'll take to the idea.

Sweatpants/shorts are great! Easy up - easy down...if they're hard for him to pull up/down then he'll get frustrated and it will make things more difficult. Try teaching him how to pull up/down without involving the potty part at all, too. Makes the potty-time a lot easier.

Naming body parts is important - choose your names and stick to them so he/she won't get confused.

Be frank about your potty habits: flushing, wiping, washing - Kids don't have filters and they learn, largely, by example. If he/she sees you doing it then they'll be comfortable with the idea and familiar with the steps.

When they're really young (18 months, 2 years, etc) they get spoiled with bribes or don't understand the bribe system (poop = candy, etc) so avoid them. Treat them with fun, praise and happiness, not tooth decay.

There - that's all I can think of for right now...some is probably redundant. LOL

sunsetbeauty · 03-17-2008, 04:20 PM

I have two boys and they were both about 3 before they were totally potty trained. And let me tell you, I tried to "train" my first son when I thought it was time and it was way more hassel than it should have been. Despite all of my bribery, begging and pleading, it did not happen until he understood. And once he did not a single accident. So, I treated my second differently and he basically potty trained himself, a few weeks before his 3rd birthday. Honestly, make it easy on yourself and him, let him take the lead. I think 2 is too young for most children, especially boys. Just my 2 cents. Good luck, hope it goes well!

p0dunk · 03-17-2008, 10:04 PM

I remember when I potty trained my son. I had no clue whatsoever on how to do it or when so a little after he turned 2 I just bought a pottychair and some pullups. I took him to "the chair" every hour. The poor little thing would just sit there and look at me, not knowing what on earth I wanted him to do lol. In between visits I tried to watch and see if he even attempted to make that cute little face...the one where they're starting to grunt and would run him back to the chair and hope I wasn't too late. We spent alot of time in the bathroom.

It took a while but he finally used it and I whooped and hollered, clapped, praised him and did a little dance lol. Kept doing that everytime he would go potty in it. Somehow we did it and he would start going on his own. I was proud of not only him but me to because I really had no idea how to even start him off. He's 18 now though so not my little boy I can teach new things to like back then

Well, he'll always be my little boy hehe.

bttrthnb4 · 03-20-2008, 08:27 PM

Thank you so much for all the advice!! His father is going to be cooperative at least with us, so we know he'll have the encouragement at least 3/4 of the time...hopefully after our little "intervention" with his mommy this past week (concerning her lack of apparent desire to be or develop mommy skills) she'll be alot more cooperative as well. Jamie (my hubby) has also agreed to letting our nephew tag along when he goes to wee-wee, lol.

Again, thanks so much ladies!!

mamakurl · 03-22-2008, 08:44 PM

Okay, this is really time consuming at first, but it works! Set a timer for every 15 minutes. When the timer goes off, put him on the potty. After a day or two, increase the time to 30 minutes and do the same thing. If he stays dry, increase the time to every 45 minutes and so on until he starts to tell you when he has to potty. I got my son to trained in two weeks doing this. He still needed pull-ups at night for awhile, but during the day he would stay dry. Good luck!