After months of preparations, numerous pep talks, multiple readings of engaging lift-the-flap books with amusing flushing sounds, countless incentives, and a plethora of both intentional and unintentional accidents, it appears my son may finally be progressing in his toilet training journey.
While I remain cautiously optimistic, I believe we have grasped the critical concept of “urge = big boy chair.” He promptly heads to the bathroom when he feels the need and follows the expected behavioral steps of independent toileting. However, we are currently facing challenges with technique and consistency. Imagine the perfect free-throw form in a high-stakes game, yet our reality is far from that—there’s no perfect form, nor are we winning any games.
Regrettably, my son insists on emulating the “stand-up routine” he observes from his father. While it’s endearing, his short stature and inability to maintain balance make success elusive. It would certainly be more efficient if he would utilize the chair specifically designed to prevent mishaps, which set me back forty dollars. Despite glowing reviews on various platforms, it remains clean and unused beside the toilet—ironically, the only item in the bathroom that isn’t a target of my son’s erratic aim.
As a female, I find it challenging to teach a boy how to aim accurately. Our method of sitting down tends to be more straightforward, albeit messy at times. Standing to urinate is a complicated process, often resulting in less-than-ideal outcomes. I would prefer that the men in my household seek out a tree in the yard instead of requiring me to repeatedly reach for my rubber gloves and disinfecting wipes.
We have explored various strategies, and my husband introduced an engaging idea: “target practice.” The concept involves throwing an object into the bowl and enthusiastically encouraging, “Hit it!” with anything that floats, such as a marshmallow or a piece of toilet paper. Unfortunately, my son struggles with this approach, resulting in a chaotic spray reminiscent of a fire hose without a fireman to direct it. While he may not become a fireman, perhaps he could channel his creativity into abstract art, throwing paint from a distance.
Ultimately, I will support my son in whatever path he chooses, as long as he learns to respect the bathroom space by cleaning up afterward. If he grows up to be one of those individuals who neglects to lift the seat and clean up after himself, then we may have a problem.
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In summary, toilet training can be a challenging and often messy endeavor. As parents, we navigate the ups and downs, learning alongside our children. Encouragement, patience, and a sense of humor are essential in making this process a little easier.