Little boy potty training can be notoriously difficult. While potty training for boys can begin at the same time as girls, usually somewhere between eighteen and thirty months, boys often take two months longer on average according to research from the University of Michigan Health Service. Typically, it’s constructive to ask yourself a few questions about your child before beginning potty training. According to the Mayo Clinic, your child should be able to do most of the following: walk and sit on a toilet, pull down his pants and pull them back up again, stay dry for up to two hours, understand and follow basic instructions, communicate when he needs to go and have interest in the toilet. Here are some tips to make the process as smooth as possible
Patience: The process of potty training is not an easy one and will not occur overnight. Potty training, like any other skill, is learned and takes time to master. Be patient with your little one, provide with lots of support and give them time to learn the skill.
A Reward System: A way to increase motivation to begin potty training is using a reward system. This could mean providing a sweet trait, access to their favorite video, or extra play time for eliminating in the toilet. Of course, with something like this, it’s important to tailor it to your child’s needs. What’s their favorite snack or toy? Maybe give them a new one of those for a whole day gone on the toilet. Maybe something even bigger for a whole week gone on the toilet. This way they begin to feel positively motivated towards using the toilet.
Smart Reminders: Several products exist out there like the “Potty Watch” which through lights and music, reminds the child to use the bathroom every so often. This can be a great tool. Many other products like it exist too. A simple timer could work as well so that your child gets in the habit of going to the toilet every couple of hours or so as they would once they were potty trained.
Next Steps: If none of these tips help, it may be time to look for a potty training expert nearby. They can help you understand the methods and strategies that you may be missing to help train your toddler.