When did you trust your child to properly clean herself after using the toilet? My DD is 3, and while she is completely independent to go potty I still insist that she calls me in to wipe her butt if she poops. Even when she potties I usually stand outside the bathroom and watch every time, just to make sure she is still wiping the way I taught her. (Every once in a while she will try to wipe back to front, and I have to remind her to go the other way.)
Lately she has been in one of those "I can do it myself" moods, and gets frustrated that I won't let her clean her butt yet. I'm wondering if it is time to let her start... Opinions?
I have to say...let HER do it.
Girls (in my experience) become pretty proficient after being shown a few 'tread marks'.
Boys (in my experience)...not so much! I will NOT share what I have seen with respect to laundry brought home on breaks from college.
Just saying!
lol
best luck!
let her do it, just double check sometimes, and scrub 'er good at bath time.
if you find skidmarks in her drawers, you can show them to her and say 'this is why you've got to wipe really well, sweetie!'
do you provide damp wipes for her? they are so much kinder and more efficient that plain tp.
:) khairete
S.
My daughter couldn't reach at 3. It wasnt until her growth spurt at 4 that her arms were long enough, and my daughter is tall--90%. So let her try, just be aware of arm length. Also, expect to spend a bit of time double checking.
I teach my kids (daycare kids too) to wipe their own butts from day one of pottying, but I "check" them after pooping, to make sure they are actually clean. I praise them when I wipe clean and let them know when there's still poop. I give them freedom to be by themselves once they are proficient pottiers, open door, nearby but out of sight, verbally checking in and reminding them of the next step (How you doing? Are you done? Did you go poop or just pee? Ok, wipe front first, then in back and I'll come check you butt in a second.)
My 4 year old has been an excellent wiper since before her 3rd birthday. My 2 year old is just starting, but he's already pretty good at actually getting himself clean.
Give her a bit of freedom, let het do it herself and then just check her with a wipe of your own. She'll be empowered and feel more independent and you'll still get the chance to make sure she's clean.
It's a good time to let her do it. I remind dd to wipe front to back (challenging), then tell her I'll "check her job." About 80% of the time no additional wiping is necessary. As long as your daughter is happy and not feeling anything squishy back there, all is well.
Yep, definitely time to let her start trying. If she isn't doing it correctly, you will literally see it in her underwear and can address it. Keep in mind that she will be starting kindergarten in 2 years and they do NOT help with potty at all. Kids are expected to be completely self-sufficient in this by the time they start school.
With my daughter I let her do it herself while I supervised to make sure she did it properly. When she pooped I still let her try first even if she had to contort herself silly because she couldn't reach very well, then I'd come in with a wipe to "check her work" and always praised her for a job well done if she managed to get it all.
And everybody always washes their hands after wiping! It's the right thing to do!
Lucky woman! Yes, let her do it!
Do they ever learn this skill? We are still working on it, and mine are 8 and 6.
I would show her how, see how she does, and encourage her when she does a good job. My DD does a pretty good job, but now and then we have to follow up. She is almost 5 and this past year has been in preschool where she needs to do it herself. Whenever my DD gets into "I'm doing it myself!" I let her go first.
6 year old still needs help unless I want to wash undies with poop smears on them.
9 year old girl does okay.
Let her do it how else will she learn. A few times of itchy sore butt will let her know that shes not wiping well enough
