Although experts are not sure why, boys usually take longer to potty train than girls, according to BabyCenter.com. This can make parents of boys nervous, especially if they are uncomfortable with the potty training process or unsure of how to successfully potty train a boy. The process is not easy, but it can usually be accomplished with just a few steps.
Step 1
Look for signs of readiness. Although most boys potty train between the ages of 2 and 4, KidsHealth.org recommends looking for cues other than age that the boy is ready to potty train. Physical signs of readiness include him staying dry for two hours or longer, being able to undress himself and being able to communicate about the potty training process. Mental signs of readiness include being able to reason and listen, a desire for independence, a desire to please, recognizing when he urinates or has a bowel movement, showing an interest in using the toilet or wanting to wear underpants.
Step 2
Plan ahead. The process may be easier if you begin in summer, as he will have less clothes to bother with, but any time there is no stress involved and both boy and trainer are ready is a good time to start. However, it is not a good idea to start potty training if there is any sort of major change that will be going on in the boy's life at the same time. A birth of a new sibling, moving to a new house, after a divorce or during an illness are all times when potty training should be avoided.
Step 3
Do the prep work. Instead of jumping straight into the actual process of using the toilet, you need to lay the groundwork. Begin by allowing him to see others use the potty, talking about what the urge to go to the bathroom feels like, praising him whenever he recognizes that he urinated or had a bowel movement and allowing him to sit on the potty without any pressure of actually using it. Talking about how big boys use the potty and wear big boy underwear may also help.
Step 4
Encourage him to sit on the potty frequently. Keep him on the potty as long as possible, but do not force him to sit there if he doesn't want to, as this could lead to opposition and make the entire process much more difficult, according to the University of Michigan Health System. Reading books, playing games or doing puzzles are some examples of things that may encourage him to sit on the potty longer.
Step 5
Make a big deal out of it whenever he sits on the potty. Even if he doesn't yet actually go in the potty, praise him for making the attempt. This will provide the encouragement he needs to continue with the process. Sticker charts can be useful, but plain old hugs and kisses or heartfelt verbal praise can work as well.
Step 6
Make an even bigger deal out of it when he does go to the bathroom on the potty. The more thrilled and excited you are about it, the better. Even if you feel silly or think you may be going overboard, he will feel a sense of pride and accomplishment by seeing how happy it made you and this will motivate him to want to recreate that experience.
Step 7
Stay positive and consistent. Accidents are part of the learning process, so expect them to happen and do not show anger or frustration when they do. Instead, stay encouraging, supportive and consistent in your approach and trust that the boy will be potty trained soon.
Tips and Warnings
- It is easier and less messy to potty train by having the boy sit down to urinate. When he masters the actual process, then you can show him how to urinate into the toilet standing up. Allowing the boy to watch a male stand while urinating into a toilet can be an effective way to help teach this skill.
- Most boys will be able to successfully stay dry during the day months or even years before they are able to stay dry overnight, according to the Mayo Clinic.
