Potty training your boy can be challenging for parents and the child, but ultimately is rewarding for everyone. The process for training boys is basically the same as for girls except that boys tend to lag behind girls somewhat in their acquisition of potty skills, and, unlike girls, boys eventually learn how to urinate while standing up.
When to Start
Boys develop at different rates from each other, so while some boys may be ready to start potty training around 18 to 24 months of age, other boys will not be ready until age 3 or so. Boys and girls can start around the same age, but boys tend to take a couple months longer than girls to become potty trained, according to the University of Michigan Health System. It may be that boys lag behind girls developmentally or psychologically, but there is no consensus as to why boys take longer.
Don't start training your son until he shows signs of readiness including: he tells you or shows signs of physical discomfort when his diaper is soiled or wet; he shows interest in the potty chair or toilet, and he verbalizes interest and shows he has some awareness that his bladder is full and needs to be emptied by grabbing himself between his legs, jumping up and down or by rocking his hips back and forth. Also, your son should be able to follow basic instructions and should be able to stay dry for periods of a couple of hours.
Sitting versus Standing
It is best for boys to learn how to use the toilet sitting down before learning how to use it standing up. Your son is just learning how to recognize the physiological cues that signal when he needs to use the toilet. It is easier to not have to differentiate between bowel and bladder pressure during these early months of learning. Also, bowel movements and urine often come at the same time, so it is simpler to sit for both bowel movements and urination. Once your son has mastered peeing sitting down he can learn to pee standing up.
Prepare For Training
Start preparing your son for using the potty early--at least a couple of weeks before his first potty day. Talk with him about how he is a big kid, and how big kids use the potty chair. Allow your son to be in the bathroom when siblings, mother or father use the toilet. Have your son flush the toilet after others have used it. By the age of two or three boys begin to understand gender differences, and they pay greater attention to male role models. If possible, have dad talk with and mentor your son on potty use.
Training
Have dad play a significant role throughout the training process, if possible. Set a day to begin using the potty seat when hopefully both parents are available. Have your son sit on the potty shortly after awaking, and then again every two hours or so, and shortly after every meal, snack or drink. Keep vigilant for signs your son needs to urinate. Use praise liberally whenever he sits on the potty chair, and especially when he goes to the bathroom in the potty chair.
Coordinate with Childcare
If your son spends time with grandparents, with a babysitter or at daycare, make sure you are all on the same page regarding potty routines, and whether your son is to sit or stand when urinating. If your son is learning to pee while sitting you don't want grandpa to confuse things by trying to have him pee standing up.
Length of Training
The University of Michigan Health System reports that on average boys are trained for daytime potty use by 31 months of age and 98 percent are trained by 36 months of age. It can take as long as 6 to 8 months for your son to become potty trained during the day, according to The Family Doctor. Most boys stay dry throughout the night by age 6.
