When you’re dealing with boys and potty training, you need to accept that you’re actually going to have to go through the process twice. This isn’t because boys don’t catch on quickly or are less interested than girls. It’s more that, even though many of the same experiences and methods apply to both, boys have two separate functions to learn. To toilet train a boy, you’ll need to teach him to sit down for bowel movements, and then he’ll have to learn to stand up for urination.
General potty training advice seems to be that it’s wisest to start the boy sitting down for both functions. This has nothing to do with his being a “sissy” or learning to “pee like a girl,” and should never be thought of that way. Remember that the entire process of learning to use the toilet is already a big thing for boys, and potty training only becomes more complicated if they have to learn too much at once. Learning to sit for bowel movements and then stand up and aim for urination may simply be too many new tasks to absorb at the same time.
Remember also that a bowel movement will often occur simultaneously with urination, so the basic initial toilet training can be mastered for both functions first. Once that is learned, then the extra task can be taught. For boys and potty training, it may be advisable to use a toilet seat reducer from the start, with accompanying step stool, because you’ll need to use the toilet itself once the child starts standing up to pee. A potty on the floor would probably involve too much splashing. Or you might use the alternative of a small urinal in a stand, or one that attaches to the side of the toilet bowl.
Whatever you choose, it’s clear that boys and potty training will involve a few more steps than training for girls. Girls are unlikely to face quite so many logistical issues; sitting versus standing, toilet versus potty, and so on. Another thing to consider if your child is in day care is whether they potty train a child the same way you do. If your boy gets mixed messages or methods, then he may have a difficult time. All these considerations are things you need to work out, preferably in advance, so your child’s potty training adventure can proceed as smoothly and successfully as possible.
Beth Kaminski is the co-author of Curing Your Anxiety And Panic Attacks which detailed treating panic disorder as well as tips on the various anxiety disorder medications available at www.anxietydisordercure.com.
