Potty training a boy

[hollyhobbie]

DS has been weeing on the toilet for a while now (he refused to use the potty because he wanted to be like his sister). He sits directly on the seat, but this means we have to take his nappy and trousers off each time.

How do you (or DH!?) teach boys to wee standing up, this would mean that he wouldn't have to take all his clothes off each time.

I've read things about a ping pong ball in the toilet for them to aim at.

Also, is it just going to be super-messy for a while?

Any tips appreciated.

hopeful bump?

i just get ds to take all his clothes off anyway. but tbh he's not keen on clothes so is usually wandering around in just pants anyway. short sleeved t shirts better too
i think it will be easier as weather gets warmer.
I don't find it messy in a "weeing on the seat" though - is that what you mean?

Make sure he can reach over the toilet rim, and stands close to the loo, so a step would be useful here. It is a good idea for dad or a young friend or cousin to demonstrate practically. You will need to supervise him for a while until he gets the hang of it, reminding him to watch what he's doing!! You can use a screwed up piece of loo roll or a cheerio in the loo for aiming practice instead of a ping pong ball.

Yes it can be messy when they aren't watching, and also if they don't point their willies down when sitting to wee. I just made sure the pants and trousers were pulled down to knee level, so they were shielded somewhat by the toilet as ds was standing close to it.

Thanks for this.
DS is 3 on Sunday and after that we'll be fully playing the 'big boy now' card. This will be the 3rd attempt at no nappies.
Got the stickers bought for the chart and everything

Hope it's going well.

I've got loads of PT problems but fortunately this is not one we are experiencing at present.

I personally prefer DS to know how to wee standing up so he wouldn't need to sit on public toilets. So I first tried DS standing up after one week of PT, but he was terrified as I stood him in front of a toilet and got stage fright each time. I just calmly told him not to worry and that we'll do it next time, before sitting him down for a wee. I managed to convince DH to show him a few times, to which he clapped and cheered, but still refused to do it himself. After going through this routine a week (made him stand up first - 'like daddy', if he refused, calmly said next time then sat him down), one day I got a little impatient and bribed him with chocolate. Yes, I know that is SO wrong... but as soon as he heard the word chocolate he immediately performed standing up! We've not had any problems since that incident.

HTH a bit. There are so many tips that I wish other mums have given me before I embarked in the PT journey, as so far all the ones I've spoken to have all mainly said "..we were lucky, DC was potty trained really quickly". So am trying to share as many of mine as possible.

I was very keen for DS to sit to wee all his life if possible...I HATE the mess that blokes make!!! But, alas, at about 3.3 he just did it himsilf - tthough I DO suspect DH was instrumental in showing him how to wee in the woods if he needed to go whilst out. (Try him weeing in puddles outside - he loves it...! Grrr)

But I must say that it was a long time before he just chose to stand rather than wee - more than a year. I think it was related to being able to actually comfortably reach as he was so tiny for his age. How gig is your DS - can he reach easily?

The balls - ping pong balls are cheaper than the official version. You can put faces or scres on them in permanent marker too. Cannot say how good they are - never used them.

DS has only ever stood up (but is v. tall); we bought a few of those potty training stickers that go on the inside of the bowl and change colour if he hits them....he is delighted by them! He will not yet sit on it though....

For little boys who are afraid to stand at the toilet, you can just hold a potty up to their willy to catch the wee, then they get used to weeing while standing and there is less mess!