Mastering Potty Training Part 1 – My Story Potty Training Boys

I never pressured any of our boys into potty training.  That was one great tip of advice I was given.  Once I began to see signs they were ready I jumped right in and tried it.  If they weren’t ready, I waited a month or two and tried again.  I purchased a seat that you place over your actually toilet seat and also a kid’s stepping stool.  Why?  Our pediatrician suggested buying them versus the small cute potty chairs you place on the floor.  The idea behind this is, that you only have to potty train them once.  You don’t have worry about to having to transition them the the big boy/girl toilet.

We began potty training when my two older boys were about 2 1/2 and our third son pretty much trained himself right after he turned 2.  I personally wouldn’t suggest using pull-ups throughout the day as a trying tool.  Use them only for naptime, for long car rides in the beginning stages, and bedtime only.  Pull-ups still feel very similar to diapers and seem to confuse many children.

I was still working when we began the whole potty training process.  I decided it would be smart to start when I knew I could put a few days aside to work with him.  I talked with him about starting to use the big boy potty and made wearing big boy underwear a really big deal.  Using advice from a friend, I went to the store and bought at least 12 pair of underwear to start with.  Initially it takes time for children to learn and understand what the sensation of having to pee feels like.  I was told that the first few days kids tend to pee in them a lot and it would be best to have many backups on hand.

It was officially D-day.   CJ had his big boy undies on, and the potty training began.  I regularly ask him if he had to go.  I even sat him on the toilet after he had drank quite a bit.  Well, the advice I received was more than true.  I think CJ peed in every single pair of underwear the first day or two.  For us wearing underwear didn’t seem to be working.  It was like he was still wearing a diaper.

Thank goodness I was lucky because I started potty training during the summer.   I decided to just let CJ run around naked.  I can still remember when he peed for the first time and looked down like what the hell is  going on down there.  After only a couple times, all of a sudden it all clicked and he understood.  I set a timer for 30 minutes and regularly had him try to go.  When he peed I went wild.  Acting like a complete crazy women jumping up for joy.  A little positive reinforcement goes a long way.   I also started to give him a special treat every time he went. I chose gummies with CJ and M&M’s with Parker and Jake. They only got them when they peep or pooped on the potty.  It probably took four or five days total before my first son was trained.  I only took two days with my second.  Jake, my third, was the easiest.  He started training at 2 years old on his own.  One day he literally just asked if he could go potty on the toilet and that was it.  I think my second son caught on quickly after seeing his big brother go and then encouraged him.  Once they were regularly going on the toilet I started putting underwear on them.  It did take several months before they would go days without having an accident.   But that’s to be expected.  After a couple months, it was just occasional and mainly because they were to busy and waited too long.

Potty training at night is alot different.  Currently, my oldest CJ, now seven, is still having bed wetting issues at night.  We have tried everything under the sun to try to stop it.  We have limited drinking and even woke him up in the middle of the night.  Nothing has regularly stopped the issue.  I have talked extensively with our pediatrician regarding this issue and have found it can be common, especially among boys.  Every child is different.  Parker, 5, is completely trained both during the day and at night.  He wakes at night if he needs to go.  Jake, 3, is improving but still has accidents.

A child can be completely trained during the day and still urinate at night.  It is typical for many children (especially boys) under the age of 5, to have accidents at night.  This should be dealt with differently than during the day.  When a child is urinating at night is involuntary.  Their little bodies are growing at a fast rate and can be difficult for  their bladders to keep up.

Bed wetting is something different. It is typically children over the age of 5 up to 13 years old who have wetting accidents during the night.  This also is more common in boys versus girls.  If you having issues at night or are concerned talk with your pediatrician.

Mastering Potty Training Part 2 – Tips & Tricks tomorrow 3/22.

While you’re patiently waiting check out these two great posts…

Is Your Child Ready To Begin Potty Training

Potty Training Help – Mama Insight Q & A

Good Luck!