How to Potty Train Boys

There is very little difference between potty training for boys or for girl. Boys sometimes take longer to understand what's going on than girls do but the younger you start potty training your child the less this is evident. It's often easier to potty train younger boys sitting down rather than standing up because boys aged two and under often find it difficult to balance, aim and pee at the same time. Once your son is a little older and finds it easier to stand and pee then you may want to invent some aiming games. Inventing a game together is really a lot of fun and can often include a vessel of some sort to aim at. You'll not have to do this for long but you may want to do it once a week for fun and continued practice.

How to potty train boys

At the start of toilet training boys make sure he's sent or taken to the bathroom frequently because he'll wait till the very last minute before he asks to use the potty or toilet himself. He'll need to rush to the bathroom in desperation because his bladder is so full he won't be able to hold onto his pee until he can reach it.

At this early stage of toilet training for boys don't ask them if they need to use the bathroom because they'll nearly always answer in the negative. It's much better to tell him that it's time to use the bathroom, he won't think ahead and realise he needs to "go potty" thinking ahead is an adult's responsibility.

When you first start to potty train boys you'll need to be very vigilant. You have to notice quite a lot of things, when he last used the bathroom, what he's doing and how much he's had to drink. The thing that's easier when toilet training a boy rather than a girl is that boys can pee easily against a tree or in another quiet place.

Remember you're trying to educate him to be able recognize when he needs to use the bathroom. You're also wanting to change a habit and education him not to do something that he's have been doing since he was born. For the last year 15-36 months your child has gone to the bathroom in his diaper and this was OK.

Your goal now is to break this habit and instigate a new one of using a potty or toilet instead. Toilet training boys need not be difficult believe in yourself and your child and plan for success.

Article by Maureen Lawrence.
Maureen, aka, the English Nanny, Parenting and Potty Training Expert has over 30 years of experience of potty training boys and girls.

Posted in: Toddler Taming