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Not sure where to post this...Our son is 4yrs. and we're having a problem with him using the toilet paper. I've taught him to take a piece and wipe instead of shaking when finished because I think it's cleaner (maybe it was a mistake, I'm sure he'll outgrow that) The problem is he's using ALOT. I see it on the roll and next time it's gone. I've put some sheets of it on the toilet tank and hid the roll, but I'm going to be a little upset if during the night I get out of bed and forget to grab the TP before I do anything. I know this sounds funny and not sure if this is even the place to ask but any solutions? I'd hate to have to escort him to the bathroom each time, he needs to be independent. TIA

Honestly, I raised 3 boys and this was neveer an issue. I'm not making light of your concerns, but I think it will all work out. Forget the TP there are bigger things to worry about. Boys will be boys and he he will work out what he needs to do. The last thing he needs is to be with other boys and get caught using TP- trust me on that one...

Thanks Beaky56, I was concerned more about him wasting it. TP is a bit expensive, and we try to get by on hubbys income so I can stay at home with the boys. I could by cheap TP until he learns to not waste. For crying out loud, why I didn't think of that before I posted this??? And I figure he'll outgrow the wiping anyhow when he realizes boys don't wipe

Just emphasize to use less.
Don't make a huge issue of it.
Buying cheaper may or may not work with anyone.

Child psychologists I read regularly are the people who say--be patient; no big deal; no big hoohaa. It's worth a try.
If, however, this continues, then other measures are called for. Right now this is his fascination. It should ebb.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: M-ma,

Yeah, they do seem to use more (or skip it!) when they are newly potty trained.

Sometimes cheaper isn't always better because you end up using more to get the same results as less of the better paper.

Raised a son-saw no need to wipe after peeing. He'll get the hang of things(no pun intended) as he gets older and his fine co- ordination improves. As Becky posted the last thing you want is for him to be embarrassed when he's with other boys and he has to ask for TP. If you've never been around boys much, just wait- why use bathroom if there's a tree, woods, the grass when they're busy out playing or out camping. Good luck.

I also raised a boy....who had a dog...a male dog...do I need to go further?
What the dog did, my son did...until he outgrew it. It didn't take long, maybe 2-3 mos. Fasination over!

Just make sure he knows how to clean "it" properly at bath time & don't worry so much about the rest of the time....unless there is a problem.

You mention trying to live on hubby's income so, I assume, there is an adult male available to teach your 4 year old son "by example" how to do certain things. At his age, it will be probably be easier for him to "learn by seeing" instead of you trying to explain it in words. Perhaps you can enlist hubby's help here?

In any event, I agree with others that this will probably be a short-lived situation as your son gains experience....

all the males here wipe after peeeing and they usually SIT to go. very little back spray.

They are certainly ABLE to use a urinal, but they prefer to be clean and dry.

I agree it will be easier to learn to regulate the use of TP. as he gets older and farther from pottty training. maybe teach him to use 4 squares at a time, or set out " HIS" own tp, I did that with the kids, they use the wet flushable wipes and it really cut down on the amount of TP used.

They are certainly ABLE to use a urinal, but they prefer to be clean and dry.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Kathy_in_wlsv,

I don't see anything wrong with wiping off that last little drip.

At 4 years old it would seem that he could understand that we don't waste toilet paper, or take too much. Practice how to tear on the lines, and how much to take. How to hold your hand on the roll to keep it from rolling too much off. It is all part of learning how to do the toilet thing.

Anyway, that was always my approach with my kids - talking and explaining why. Pretty much always worked.

My 38-year-old male coworker was taught to SIT DOWN to pee. Everyone laughs when we hear the toilet seat slam down in the men's employee restroom. Maybe his mom should have taught him to softly lower the seat so we wouldn't all know that he is in there sitting like a girl. :-) WHY he ever explained this to us is another story...

Forget the TP for a little boy tting. Just stress to wash hands at the first opportunity.

(Our wastefulness was with shampoo. I finally hit on the idea of a "dime-spot" of shampoo in his hand. A squirt bottle top helped tremendously!)

Tell you what, daciab, my son in law was taught to pee sitting down too. Laugh all you want, but my daughter NEVER has to wipe pee off of the walls and floor around the toilet. She never has to grumble about the toilet seat being left up. Her mother in law did her a big favor with that training!

How would anyone know the only thing a guy is doing when he's sitting is peeing? They HAVE to sit for #2 so what's the deal with the co workers?

Cleaner, nicer, easier. I NEVER fall in and don't have to wash down the walls.

I have to do this.

Those who sit. I hope not from Idaho with a "wide stance" in airport men's rooms.

It is funny because he slams the seat down. LOUD We should not be able to hear it from 3 rooms away but we can. If we are helping a customer they hear the loud bang, look at us and we have to keep on like we didn't hear it. I don't want to explain it. :-) We always know who is in there. He told everyone. I don't know why he would even talk about how he pees to his coworkers. This guy shares too much most of the time. When his mom taught him to sit, she should have also taught him to lay the seat down softly.

quote:

Originally posted by M-ma:
I have to do this.

Those who sit. I hope not from Idaho with a "wide stance" in airport men's rooms.

quote:

Originally posted by mamaspoon:
Raised a son-saw no need to wipe after peeing. He'll get the hang of things(no pun intended) as he gets older and his fine co- ordination improves. As Becky posted the last thing you want is for him to be embarrassed when he's with other boys and he has to ask for TP. If you've never been around boys much, just wait- why use bathroom if there's a tree, woods, the grass when they're busy out playing or out camping. Good luck.

I burst out laughing, my eyes are tearing. This is soooooo funny, OMG!!
Ahhhh, the joy of having a wonderful baby GIRL!!! This whole thread is a riot!!!!
Even my dog (back then) and my 2 cats now are females!!! Girls rock!!! LOL!

This message has been edited. Last edited by: Wavy,

I'd never have boys unless they were snipped (dog/cats that is) Oh yes, I've noticed a few things since school has started that he never did before...starts a stream then pinches it off, on, off, on.... The other day we were in the backyrd, I look around and he's whipping the jeans down, hands on the hips, and "watering" my plants. Butt-cheek smudges on the front LR windows (and they too little to be mine)...joys of parenthood, lol

Gotta love little boys! And it just gets better as they get older!

Once when mine were middle schoolers I opened the door to DS1's room where he, his 2 younger brothers, cousin and friend were. The smell sent me reeling. I asked what on earth it was....they were having a f@rt contest....

Son invited his BFF to go camping with us. I laid the law down to both about how small the bathroom in the camper was and that they had to sit for all bodily functions...an absolute NO SPLASH zone.

Before nightfall they were relegated to the campground bath house for the week.

Oye, funny! As one who constantly has to endure pee all around the potty, I wish my husband's mom would have taught him to sit. Or at least clean up after he was finished. Geez. It's common courtesy. You pee outside of the toilet, clean it up. How hard is that?

Ok, anyway, back to the OP, and using another's example, how about making pee time into a counting lesson time, too? Three or four squares, or whatever. 1-4 squares/pee.

Been keeping up with this thread...after raisning 3 boys and having DH too.....I can just imagine the reactions of all of them if I had insisted they not only use TP when they tinkled, but that they sit too! Oh, my!

Yeah, Becky, you'd need a whip, a gun, and a chair.

Even with only females in the house, toilet paper can be an issue. When I was growing up, my sister used Kleenex to make carnations (remember doing that with a bobby pin?) so my mother quit buying it. Naturally we started using tp to blow our noses, etc, so I doubt she saved any money! But when my daughter started using tp to excess, I started accusing her of making carnations with it. It was years before she demanded an explanation!