Potting Training - Wise,VA

N.,
I had the same problem with my son. What worked for us was using the Kandoo wipes and hand soap. My son loved having his own "Big Boy Bathroom" stuff and it looks fun. I pointed it out a couple of times at the store before buying it until he got to the point that he really wanted the Kandoo stuff. Then we took a special trip to buy it, but the only way we would get it is if he would wipe his own bottom. When we got home, we made a big production of getting rid of the baby wipes (which didn't get used on him, but rather by me as make-up removers, but it made him feel good) and setting out his stuff in his bathroom. He only asked me to come in and do it once afterwards but I told him that if I did it, then we would have to get rid of all of his big boy stuff - he didn't want that!

That was 6 months ago and we have been good ever since.

Hope that helps.

B.

N.,
I had a brother-in-law, who by the way is 20 years younger than me and only 3 years older than my son, he would not wipe his own butt either, he had this thing with germs, and a mother that would continue to wipe his butt for him, I was watching him over night one time and he yelled for me to wipe his butt, I told him that I would not wipe his butt that he was not a baby, that only babies got their butt wiped by mommies, I was kind of teasing him, but telling the truth a little also, well in the long run, I refused to wipe his butt and he got so mad he did it himself, and did it from that time on. His mother was so happy, I know it kind of sounds a little childish what I did, but sometimes in raising kids you have to turn the table on them and act like them, it shocks them. Take a stand Mom and just refuse to wipe his butt, he will yell and cry, but in the end either he will wipe his own butt or he won't and just sit there. I'm sure he won't sit there long. Hope this will help you!!!

M.

Try the flushable wipes. Toilet paper can stick to their bottoms sometimes and he probably doesn't feel clean, but maybe the flushable wipes might help!! I think they are called Kadoo and they are great!!! They even have the foamy soap for them to wash their hands with afterwards!! Hope this help!! Good luck!

N.
I would just come out and tell him big boys wipe their on bottoms. Tell him if he tries to be a big boy for a week he can pick out a small surprise. Reassure him if he has trouble you will be there, but he really needs to try himself. Tell him that other 5 yr old children do this all by themselves and he should be proud to acheive this goal. You could try those new wipes with the frog on the cover cant remember the name but they seem to be easy to use. Im sure he will catch on soon GOOD LUCK Have a great day.

I agree- start out with the *flushable* wipes. Make a BIG deal out of him being able to do it himself.

And then realize that just as with washing their hands or brushing their teeth, it takes time and repition for them to do a good job. I told my daughter that I would "check" after she was done just to be sure because if there was any poo-poo left on her bottom, it would get sore. She was happy with that for a while and after a few times of her doing a good job wiping, I just told her from the other room that she was big enough to do it herself and that she has been doing a GREAT job!

Good Luck!

PS- I remember an episode of The Nanny where one little boy was something like 9 or 10 and still called for his mom to wipe him. When only his dad was around, he never called for help, but when his mom was home, he called for her. Just something to think about.... Kids are pretty smart!