Well it’s no secret that I am a boymom to 3, but what you may not know is I was an early childhood educator for many years as well. My favourite age group to teach was the Toddlers for their curiousity, emerging personalities and eagerness to please, but working with toddlers also meant always, always, always being in the throws of potty training. It’s safe to say that I’ve trained my fair share of little boys in my life time.
This is a little trick I picked up on my very first college work placement and it has been quite useful over the years, including at home with my own boys. At first, I couldn’t figure out why on earth the day care staff had the boys sitting on the toilets backwards! It looked pretty bizarre, but it didn’t take me long to realize that it was actually pure genius!
My #1 Tip for Potty Training Boys – Put your boys on the potty backwards.
Pros –
This works well for a few reasons
~ The front part of the toilet is smaller, so boys can set their little tushies here without using their hands to hold themselves up.
~ Now they have more independence and no fear of falling in.
~ The back of the toilet is larger and their legs are naturally apart giving little boys lots of room to aim and shoot.
~ No more trying to tuck their little ‘noodle’ in to point down making for far less mess.
~ There’s no need for special plastic potties you have to clean or seats you have to attach to the toilet. The standard toilet is all you need which means kids can do this anytime, anywhere. You won’t need to cart potty seats to friends and relatives houses.
~ Less touching of the germy potties in public. See below for cons on public places, but this method does have it’s plus for your child not holding the seat or you breaking your back holding the child on the seat. If you lift the child and set him on the toilet he can go pee with his hands up or resting on this own legs and you can lift him right back off.
Cons-
The downside to this procedure is that the pants have to come off. And for the pants to come off, the shoes have to come off too, so this is more difficult when you are popping into a public restroom. You can make do with just one leg out of the pants, but it’s still a little more time consuming especially in a tight space. Not undoable, I’ve done it many times with my own boys, but not as easy as at home where boys can quickly throw themselves up on the potty, do their business and hop off.
If you are in the midst of training your son or about to start, I encourage you to give this way a try. I’ve been using it with success for years. Obviously, little boys can’t go poop in the same fashion, this is strictly for peeing but it works great and it really does prevent many messes. I think we can all agree that boys are full of those.
My boys loved their independence in the bathroom, they rarely needed my help once they learned this way, and were able to get on and off and flush all on their own. Boys will use this way for only a short season, once they are tall enough to stand like a big boy, they usually stick with that.
Thanks for those great tips !
Great tip! I remember the fun we had when my nephew was potty training. Let’s say a few times I think more pee got outside the toilet then in it.
What a fantastic idea, now why didn’t I even think of that whilst potty training my boys? It certainly would have saved some messes that’s for sure 🙂
what a great tip!
Could have used these tips a few years ago!
Great tips I will pass them on to my sister for my nephew
I’ve never thought of putting my little guy on the potty backwards! He is going pee pee by himself sometimes in the potty (at least once a day) but not poo yet. He’s 2.5 years old. I’m so happy that he’s starting to train himself. 🙂 He also go into his big brother’s underwear drawer and tries on his underwear!
sounds like he’s almost there!
So now my little guy will pee pee in the potty by himself but won’t poop in the potty. At least he will pee pee.
It’s a start!
My little guy is still only making pee pee in the potty. I really want him out of diapers. What’s with the poopy? ARGH!
Fantastic, wish I’d thought of having my boys sit like that on the toilet, brilliant
years ago we use to throw a cheerio in the toilet and have our little guy aim for it
I never thought of this but it makes sense!
Good tips to keep in mind
i have an 18 month old boy who seems ready for potty training, thanks for the tips!
I shared these tips on FB for my friend,i hope these work for her !
Well now, this is a way I never even thought of. Like you said it would be more easy at home since having to remove the pants but once done and learned the child would get used to and it is only for a short time till they grow taller. My son is now grown, but I do have small grand kids that now their mommy has to teach. I am going to pass this tip onto them. thanks for info. 🙂
It really is only for a short time, boys love to stand as soon as they can!
Great tips – never thought of sitting backwards when I was training mine.
My grandson is just beginning to potty train ,sharing this with his mama
I think you just gave us all a wonderful tip. I have never heard of this tip before and I have heard lots of them. It is sensible and works with the boy’s anatomy. Thank you so much for sharing.