Tuesday, August 29, 2006

Pee Coach

I posted this over at the Blogfathers last week.

My oldest son, Max, is two and half. We have been slowly introducing him to potty training. Right now he is afraid of the toddler training potty and refuses to go near it unless he wants to stand on it to reach the sink. He is, however, fascinated with the regular toilet. As part of his basic potty training it has now fallen on me to “show” him how daddy goes.

Every time I have to pee, I invite him into the bathroom to show him how daddy pees. At first, like most kids his age, he was only interested in flushing. Each time we would go in to the bathroom he would run over to the toilet and grab the handle so he would be the one who would get to flush. He was very protective of the handle. After a few demonstrations, he realized that I would let him flush and he became more interested in the actual act of urination. Without the distraction of having both his hands around the toilet handle he felt it would be okay to try and break my stream.

“Don’t touch” and “No” were not working so I finally told him that the stream was “Hot”. He understands hot.

Now that he has a better understanding of the process as well as some basic language skills, he now feels the need to commentate on what is going on. I don’t know about the rest of you fathers out there but I am not used to having someone give me the play by play as I pee. But my son, every time, gives it his best. The following is his two-year-old coverage of daddy peeing.
“Reddee, set, GO!….Is hot daddee. Is hot… Bubbles? Lellow Bubbles. Hot lellow bubbles daddee. All done? All done.” He then flushes and follows up with, “Bye Bye bubbles. Yay Daddee”

I have not been able to give him the finer points of aiming because I am usually laughing so hard at his play by play that my aim is a little off. He also misses the whole “shake” part with his commentary but that is because he is so into the bubbles.

I know there are tons of books, videos, blogs and what-have-you on this subject, from leaving M&M’s on the tank to using Cheerios for aiming practice but do you think example is the best way to teach?

25 comments:

ladybug said...

oh please at least audio-tape this for blackmail when he is a teenager or college kid and there are girlfriends looming!!!

that kid is too cute!

Effie said...

example is a good way--now encourage him to be a big boy next time he has to go....maybe he could make his OWN hot lellow bubbles!

Anonymous said...

Have you seen the Peter Potty Flushable urinal being sold at Target? It would give you some time to work on his aim.

http://www.target.com/gp/detail.html/sr=1-1/qid=1156856307/ref=sr_1_1/602-0505326-6060641?%5Fencoding=UTF8&asin=B000C22J2S

Anonymous said...

I think example works best. It seemed to help my boys, after I tried and tried to get them to go. DH just showed them, and they got it.

Although I still wonder why my youngest taps himself on the edge of the toilet instead of 'shaking it off' like a normal kid.

ieatcrayonz said...

Bubble fixation, huh?

Sounds like somebody's been watching too much "Finding Nemo."

Unknown said...

OMG the play by play is awesome. We introduced the toddler potty early to get him used to sitting on it, but now he will only sit for a second and then hop up. I can't keep him down long enough to get the idea. I think the kid doesn't get the parallel between the big potty and the little potty. Now I have to convince my husband to let my son watch him pee.

Unknown said...
This comment has been removed by a blog administrator.
Anonymous said...

Hahaha!!! That's totally hilarious, Bill. I love the play-by-play. It's like Howard Cosell is narrating your bowel movements!

Kami said...

I don't know how to teach aim, as I have no penis. BUT, we taught Nik to pee sitting first. And yes, it's your job, because you have the same parts. :) Some put Cheerios in the toilet water to have to kid try to hit them.

GOOD LUCK!

Lynilu said...

I've been lurking off and on for a few weeks, but this post is just simply too funny to pass by!! I love the description of his "encouragement" to you!! LOL

As far as advice . . . whatever works!! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

Big boys wear underwear. Babies wear diapers. Pull ups are for little boys who are learning to be big boys.

It seems that my son does best when hes not being rewarded for it. Its kindof good, but see I tried a new system with giving candy this week to see if he would go more, but no. He doesnt like rewards, because now he wont use the potty at all. Mine just turned 3. Its a long hard process

Lois Lane said...

That is so funny! When he is ready and asks to go with you, don't cross the streams. Remember what happened in Ghostbusters? LOL!
Lois Lane

Anonymous said...

By any chance were you training him to pee at the Lawnwhisper's house a few months back...you mention trouble with aim...I don't remember the culprit ever being caught!

Anonymous said...

Thats a shame Maxfield doesn't have much to work with as far as an example is concerned.

sari said...

Funny story! At our house, even the dog likes to watch everyone pee, which just freaks me out. How embarrassing, having to close the door because of the dog, but you know, I do have a line, and I draw it there.

The worst is when we're out in public and my two boys want to get into detailed discussions about the differences in private parts and why boys pee one way and girls another - sitting vs. standing and...oh, I ramble.

Lowa said...

Example is best. What you are doing sounds GREAT!

The shaking thing is great. One of my sons used to tell me when he was about two, "Look...Daddeeee show me do dis. You shake your's penis like dis...see?? shake shake, like dat, and shake dat pee off!!!!"

Your mom potty trained 8 boys, right?? I bet SHE knows!

The best I found was not using pull-ups. They are the same as diapers and cost too much. I used cloth diapers or cloth training pants. Then the kids are damp and it is uncomfy, so they are more likely to get trained. My oldest was in undies 24/7 at two years three months of age. The second at a few months younger than Max is and the third took a month or so longer. Maybe cause I had less time to devote to it?? Don't force it, though, or it will backfire on you. I had friends who had kids in diapers still at four years old. To me, that is gross! LOL

One of my sons sat to pee until he was about five. I was starting to freak out, and encouraged him to watch his Dad and older brothers more. He was just more comfy sitting. He is 7 now and finally stands but still refuses to lift the seat first, so I have to wipe the seat all the time before I sit.

*sigh*

eclectic said...

What? No pictures? How can we comment on... oh, nevermind.

;)

Anonymous said...

Awesome post...I really enjoy reading your blog. After a crappy day of work, I needed a good laugh. Keep up the good work!

Nature Girl said...

hilarious...my boys always liked to turn the blue water green. Whatever works for you and Maxfield! I missed the stories while I was on vacation...I'll have to go catch up now.
Stacie

Anonymous said...

I so enjoy listening to the stories of my sons being real life Dads! It gives me great pleasure and brings a smile to my face. The Circle of Life! (and this time it's the toilet seat) Good job, William! He'll catch on before you know it! Then he'll be chasing you out of the bathroom and saying,"Daddy, I can do it all by myself". Seize the moment.

Dollymama said...

Do everybody a favor and teach him to pee sitting down!

Ern said...

When my brother was being potty trained, my mom got these floating targets. Very creepy.

Anonymous said...

That's ok. My daughter is about the same age and will NOT use the potty. However she MUST be in the room with me when I go and she congratulates me. "Good job Mama. Go pee pee on the potty. High five". Nice huh! Good luck!

Anonymous said...

I think example is good but I hear little boys learn by sitting down first? I'm just worried about that little splash guard catching his lil' guys when he tries to sit down. He'll only do #2 on the potty. Then he stands there saying "Yuck! Blech! Eck!"

Good luck!

Melanie said...

OMG. This post almost made me spit my drink out everywhere. Our son can't quite talk that well, but he too is fascinated by the whole thing. I agree, I think that example is a great way to go.