10 Tips for Potty Training Boys
Summary: New parents often share a few concerns about potty training. The most common concern new parents have when potty training boys, is whether to teach them to sit or stand when first learning to use the potty.

New parents often share a few concerns about potty training. The most common concern new parents have when potty training boys, is whether to teach them to sit or stand when first learning to use the potty. Although either method could be used, teaching your little guy to sit while urinating will help make the process easier and less messy. The American Academy of Pediatrics (AAP) recommends teaching boys to sit until they have full control and are accident free. Once they are fully potty trained, then you can teach them to stand while urinating. This method offers little boys a chance to grasp the potty training concepts before worrying about how to handle each type of training separately.

Potty training your little guy doesn’t have to be a difficult process. Follow these ten tips for potty training boys, and your child will be trained sooner than you thought possible.

1. Keep it simple. By teaching your little guy to sit down for bowel movements and urination, he will only have to grasp one concept. Teaching two separate methods, standing for urinating and sitting for bowel movements, can cause confusion and delay successful potty training.

2. Teach potty training when your child is ready to learn. Wait until he shows signs of readiness, before trying to teach your child to use the potty. If he is not ready, then the process will become difficult and frustrating for everyone involved.

Your child will exhibit specific signs when he is ready to learn potty training. Signs of readiness include: expressing an interest in the bathroom, imitating older siblings, wanting to be changed immediately after dirtying his diaper, long periods of dry diapers, has predictable bowel movements, and can understand basic instructions.

A few fine motor skills will help the process as well. Your child should be able to pull his pants and underwear up and down by himself. He should be able to dress himself with the exception of difficult buttons or ties. Boys are usually ready to learn how to use the potty at about two years old.

3. Once you begin the potty training process, stick with it. Switch to underwear during the day –every day. Use pull-up training pants at night. Do not put him back in diapers, because this causes confusion.

4. Make potty training fun. Keep a small collection of books by the potty. Encourage your child to look at the books while trying to use the potty. Read to your child while he is sitting on the potty; potty training books can be especially helpful.

5. Be positive. A positive outlook will help both of you through this process. When you are optimistic, it shows your child that you have confidence in them.

6. Expect some accidents. Accidents are fine; they are part of the learning process. If you get mad at your child when he has an accident, then he may try not to use the potty at all. This will lead to more accidents, and more frustration for both of you.

7. Reward him for a job well done. Potty training is a big deal. When your child learns to use the potty, they gain some independence. Reward him when he successfully uses the potty, as well as when he tries to use the potty.

Rewards should be something small and simple. You could try using any of the following for rewards: stickers, extra play-time, stories, or even television time. Some parents use M&M candies as a reward. Use whatever makes you feel comfortable; it does not have to be something edible or television/game time. Every household is different; choose something appropriate for your family.

8. Stay consistent. Develop a potty training routine, and adhere to it. Any diversions from the regular routine can delay the learning process. Do not stop potty training once you begin, unless you determine that your child is too young. If you switch back and forth between diapers and underwear, potty training and not potty training, your child will become confused and frustrated. He will not understand what he is supposed to do, or what you expect him to do. Once you start potty training, you must keep the process in tact to have a successful outcome.

9. Gather all of the supplies that you need to teach potty training, before you begin teaching your child. Be sure to have a good supply of underwear on hand. You want to have enough underwear, so that you can always grab a clean pair after an accident. Other supplies may include: a basket of books for the bathroom, small prizes to use as rewards, a reward chart, and a potty training chair.

10. Teach personal hygiene. Incorporate washing your child’s hands into their potty training routine. Teaching your child to wash his hands now will help him to create a good, healthy habit.

You are ready to use your newfound potty training knowledge. Choose a time to potty train that you will be able to devote much of your attention to the process for a full day or two; a weekend often works best for most people. Start the morning off with a trip to the bathroom and explanation of how to use the potty. Continue to make trips to the potty every thirty minutes throughout the day. This is tedious, but a methodical routine will help your little guy learn how to use the potty in no time. Remember to limit liquid intake starting in the early evening to avoid nighttime accidents.