Toileting, aiming for boys

All mothers and carers of boys will understand the importance of teaching your child to aim properly.  This is an important skill both from a social acceptance perspective as well as from a hygiene point of view! 

It is important to reinforce this skill from the start.  Try to encourage good habits, so if your child is watching Dad empty his bladder remind Dad not to make this a play opportunity. 

Hints and tips

• It is possible to purchase toilet training stickers for boys that are designed to stick inside the toilet bowl.  This provides a visual target for them to aim at.
• If you don’t like the idea of having a sticker permanently on display, try using a single ‘Cheerio’ or other puffed breakfast cereal of a reasonable size.  Place this in the bowl to act as a target, as this will flush away when he is finished.
• Make sure he directs his penis downwards, particularly first thing in the morning!
• Remember if your child isn’t tall, his legs may be too short to enable him to aim in a downward direction.  In this case use a step.
• Encourage your child to take responsibility from the start so if there are any near misses or little dribbles get him to wipe them up with toilet paper.
• The only fool proof method is to make him sit on the toilet to urinate.