Is it harder to potty train boys than girls?
Some say “Yes”, I say “No, not really”.
I’m only adding the “not really” part because potty training kids takes a bit more preparation just because parents have a few more decisions to make before they start (which I’ll discuss next). But the basic approach is exactly the same for potty training boys and girls.
So despite what you may have heard, the following “myths” are not true:
1. Boys are more stubborn and less motivated than girls and therefore more difficult to potty train.
2. Potty training boys is a much longer process than potty training girls.
3. Children are less motivated and therefore less cooperative during potty training.
4. Children cannot be potty trained until they are three years old.
If you believe any of the above statements, the first thing you should do is erase them from your memory bank, because they are just a bunch of nonsense, and if you believe any of them, you are harming your child and your wallet. a great detriment.
So let me make things clear. If your child is a normal, healthy child, he should be ready for potty training around 18 months (average), although some children are ready earlier or later, between 12 and 27 months.
Children who are ready to be potty trained often begin to imitate their parents or siblings (it’s as if they realize gender differences) and may even begin to stand on the potty like them (even if they don’t have idea of what to do once there). !). And once the potty training process begins, they can also ask to use the bathroom like them. If so, go for it!
If your son wants to be like his dad or like his older brother and insists, of course, let him stand! Power struggles are big no-no’s in the world of potty training…
So what’s the biggest difference between potty-teaching boys and potty-teaching girls? In my opinion, the only significant variation between the two is that parents should decide ahead of time whether to teach their children to urinate standing up or sitting down, so they know what kind of equipment they will need.
My advice? Teach children to urinate and defecate sitting down. Period. (By the way, the American Academy of Pediatrics endorses this advice.)
This is why:
1. You will need less equipment. You can start training using only a potty, without the need for stools, urinals and the like.
2. They will learn “potty basics” faster. Remember, your child is learning a new skill, one that requires his and your full concentration and cooperation. So why complicate the process by entering too many things at once? Once your child has learned to use the potty, the big learning curve is over and it’s relatively easy to teach him to urinate standing up, when the time is right.
3. Potties are much more “friendly” when children are sitting on them. Consider this…potties are lower to the ground (on purpose, so toddlers can easily get on and off them), less “dense,” and have much smaller openings than traditional toilets. Therefore, when children urinate standing up, there is likely to be a great deal of splashing. The alternative is a urinal to pee and a potty or toilet to poop; a toilet for both; or a potty for both. If you choose to use a toilet, you’ll need to make sure you have a stool (so your child can get on and off the toilet on their own) and you should consider purchasing a seat reducer (or else there’s a better chance that even your child be scared by the big opening – a very common fear).
4. You will have less clutter. Bottom line, potty training kids is just tricky, because toddlers are notoriously bad targets, even with the best of intentions, so you can expect a lot of dripping on the potty, on the seat, and yes, all over the floors and walls. It just comes with the territory.
5. Urinals are more flexible. One of the best things about potties is their portability. That’s right… you can carry them and take them with you, and your child can pee or poop on the go (no pun intended :>). Trust me, this will be very, very helpful during your potty training journey. For whatever reason, you’ll find that your child suddenly has to pee (and I mean, “really, really badly”) at the most inopportune times, and your portable potty chair will be a godsend. Yes, toddlers can pee in a standing potty, but you’ll need to bring plenty of wipes!
Please also keep in mind that regardless of whether you’re potty training boys or girls, consistency is king (in fact, this is one of the core principles of our potty training system)! So make sure that whatever method you use is reinforced by all other adults who are in regular contact with your child.
This is especially true if your child is enrolled in preschool, daycare, or has a babysitter or babysitter. In fact, some organizations have very specific rules regarding potty training, especially when it comes to potty training children. So it’s a good idea to check with your child care providers beforehand, so everyone is on the same page.
Once again, I hope my advice on potty training has been helpful and that you will take the time to check out my other potty training articles.
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