Potty training causes anxiety for many parents, yet spending money on diapers adds up quickly. While some potty training principles apply to both genders, boys have some special considerations that impact your potty training tactics. Customizing your approach to fit your son's personality and physical features increases the chances of success.
Timing
Seeing other parents with potty trained children by the age of 2 or even younger may make you feel that your son is behind. All children develop at different rates. Some children may not be ready for potty training until after their third birthday or later. Boys tend to potty train at a later age so stay patient and watch for signs of readiness in your son. Signs may include predictable bowel movements, long dry periods, ability to pull up pants, interest in the bathroom, notices when he is wet or dirty, follows basic instructions and can sit still for a few minutes. Forcing your son into potty training when he isn't ready will likely cause frustration for both of you and take him longer to become fully trained.
Modeling
Watching adults perform various tasks offers an effective way for toddlers to learn. Seeing how his father urinates in comparison to his mother helps a toddler boy understand the process. He gets a glimpse of how he will use the bathroom once he learns the basics. He also may see the difference in private parts. Baby Center recommends using the word "penis" to avoid creating a sense of embarrassment about the body part.
Potty Chair Selection
A child-sized potty chair gives your son his own special place to potty train. The smaller chair also helps a toddler feel more secure and allows him to get on it easily by himself. Baby Center recommends choosing a potty chair with a removable splash guard. The guard can get in the way, causing your son to bump his penis and cause pain. Some potty chairs have a removable top that doubles as a child seat on a regular toilet. This offers more flexibility, allowing your son to try out both options to see which one he prefers.
Technique
Boys run the risk of spraying all over the bathroom when they urinate. Teaching your son to aim his penis down into the toilet prevents some messes. Throwing a few Cheerios into the toilet gives your son a target to aim at when urinating. Teach your child to urinate while sitting down first, then transition to standing up. He may reference the way he saw his father urinate when it is time to teach him to go standing up.
