Question for mothers of boys......

[kristavws]

My boys, ages 5 & 7, are experiencing some difficulty in aiming properly, if you know what I mean. Are my expectations too high that at this age they should be able to get it all in the bowl? Any suggestions for helping them to hit the bowl instead of the floor?

Thanks,
Krista

[JFS in IL]

Supervise as they clean up the mess each time.

[charlotteb]

Put cheerios in the toilet water and have them "aim"! I read this in a magazine, haven't tried it myself.

[King Alfred Academy]

Supervise as they clean up the mess each time.

This is what we do and my boys are also 5 & 7. Oh, and our 7 yo also "deep cleans" the bathroom once a week. Let's just way he has aimed a lot better since having to do this!

[dirty ethel rackham]

Yep. Tinkle targets work. I had some cute colored paper fish targets that we used in the beginning, but then we would put in a square of TP for them to aim at. I do have one son who is careless, so guess who gets to clean toilets?!

[abbeyej]

I don't think you're expecting too much -- but supervising them as they clean up any messes sounds like an effective ... motivation.

[KatieinMich]

I second the have them do the cleaning thought! My sons did the bathrooms for years..nothing like first hand experience cleaning it up to straighten out their aim.
And yes, I think 5 and 7 yr olds should be able to aim straight.

[kristavws]

This is what we do and my boys are also 5 & 7. Oh, and our 7 yo also "deep cleans" the bathroom once a week. Let's just way he has aimed a lot better since having to do this!

Well, I am glad to hear this, as this is what I have been thinking about doing. I mean how hard can it be - it's not like they are being asked to go in a coke bottle. It's a toilet - the opening is big!!

Thanks - Krista

[janainaz]

I have boys and while I know they try, they get distracted. I don't have time in my day to stand with cheerios every time they go. But, I sure make a big deal out it when it needs to be cleaned up!

[LizzyBee]

Are my expectations too high?

I told dh here's a post I can't help with (I only have girls), and he asked me what it is. I read it to him, but I stopped after "are my expectations too high?" His answer cracked me up!

He said, "No, but the toilet bowl may be too low."

:lol:

[milovaný]

SIT to pee? Well, at least I *think* they do, at least until about 7-8 years old.

[sweetbaby]

Yes, I made my sons clean after themselves each time. They had to make sure they raised the seat also. We treated the toilet like a basketball goal. Make the shot by aiming for the middle.;)

[Heidi @ Mt Hope]

My boys have much more trouble getting it in the bowl when they are sitting than when they are standing. I'd much rather have them stand. That may change as they get taller, though. :)

[4boys]

I taught my boys to sit. Never had any issues.

[Laura K (NC)]

I've got three boys, and I don't know the culprit, but when they were younger one of them got pee on the bathroom cabinet. What's amazing is that the bathroom cabinet faces the toilet, so the boy turned around 180 degrees in mid stream. You talk about your ADD! :eek:

I don't have much advice, except do what I did, and if you have carpets in your bathrooms when you move into a house, pull them up immediately and put in linoleum.

I also put "Pee in the potty" rules on the wall directly behind the pot, which would only work for a boy who is able to read. They included advice like "flush," "put seat down," and "wash hands," as well as "aim." We had a few family meetings in the bathroom too. One isn't enough.

They're better at aiming, but I still can't get them to put the seat down.:nopity:

[PariSarah]

When anybody goes to the bathroom in our house, you can hear everything.

:bigear:

So, if what we hear doesn't sound like good aim, somebody shouts, "AIM FOR THE WATER!!!!!!"

:D:D

Eventually, a kid gets to where he'd rather remember to aim than to hear his dad correct his peeing skills in front of company. :D

[FloridaLisa]

part of the problem is that the boys hold it too long and then they are wiggling and hopping and unzipping and . . . you get the picture. :D

Lisa

[WTMindy]

SIT to pee? Well, at least I *think* they do, at least until about 7-8 years old.

My son sits at home and stands everywhere else. And, if you want the truth.....so does my dh.

[RenayofRohan]

I realized a long time ago that one of my sons actually didn't have the "gun in his hand" if you KWIM. It just dangled there, so we had to remind him of the fuller meaning of "aim." :confused1:

Ditto the cheerios (or targets), and supervising them as they clean their own messes up.

[Camy]

...but they still will have a few slips :o).

I echo that they should clean it up.

Leave a spray bottle near the toilet w/ some paper towels *or* a package of cleaning wipes. Just mention to them, kindly and matter-of-factly, that they should spray and accidents and wipe them up. (BTW, I love nontoxic Biokleen's Bac Out...great stuff!)

Try not to show impatience or irritation (try...I know it is not easy). If you express your confidence in them, they may step up to the plate...I mean "toilet." LOL

Blessings,

Camy

[BusyMum]

part of the problem is that the boys hold it too long and then they are wiggling and hopping and unzipping and . . . you get the picture. :D

Lisa
I'd believe that!

I'm going to try teaching my oldest to put a piece of toilet paper in first and see if he can sink it.

As for Mr2 - I'm teaching him to sit to pee. But that means it splurts out the front so we aren't a lot further ahead. I am teaching him to point it down but that continues to have limited success as once he grabs it he won't let go and he squeezes so tight that nothing comes out! :w00t:

[KH_]

SIT to pee? Well, at least I *think* they do, at least until about 7-8 years old.

My ds and dh sit too (at least at home). We do not have any aiming issues, or pee outside of the toilet (most of the time - we had one mysterious puddle the other week that no one would fess up to, but besides that. . .:glare:)

[kristavws]

I also put "Pee in the potty" rules on the wall directly behind the pot, which would only work for a boy who is able to read. They included advice like "flush," "put seat down," and "wash hands," as well as "aim." We had a few family meetings in the bathroom too. One isn't enough.

They're better at aiming, but I still can't get them to put the seat down.:nopity:

I like this idea! I guess I could draw pictures of the rules for the youngest, who is just beginning to read :D

Krista

[Kalah]

My 8yo sits. The issues we had with my ds5 have gotten much better. And here's why.
Honestly, our problem was the fact that they are intact. I had to make sure that they were pulling the foreskin out first before they started going. I know, TMI. LOL But this may help others. My dh is circed so it never occured to him that this might be the problem. Now, we have very few bathroom messes to clean up.
HTH

[Raini]

Nope, sitters here as well.

[Kleine Hexe]

Supervise as they clean up the mess each time.

Yep, this did the trick for my boys. Even my 4 yr old aims better now that he has had to clean his messes.



My 8yo sits. The issues we had with my ds5 have gotten much better. And here's why.
Honestly, our problem was the fact that they are intact. I had to make sure that they were pulling the foreskin out first before they started going. I know, TMI. LOL But this may help others. My dh is circed so it never occured to him that this might be the problem. Now, we have very few bathroom messes to clean up.
HTH

:confused: I'm sorry. I don't get that at all. My boys are intact and they don't have to do anything with their foreskins to aim properly.