How do I teach my five year old ds......

[SheBear]

...too wipe his own ??

Gah! It is so frustrating! His 3.5 year old sister does a better job! I had been determined to leave it up to dh to teach him....on the merits that I'd already changed 3 years worth of diapers, and now it ought to be a guy thing. But 2 years later, dh has not been able to impart the necessary skill, and I am clueless.

I provide him with regular toilet paper and moist, flushable wipes (I know, the waste....but gosh, I want him to succeed!). Should I give him a hand mirror?

Sheesh, it's just about to drive me batty, and I don't want to make it a source of shame or frustration for him. I do get frustrated when he tries and makes an even bigger mess, but I try to deal with it kindly. Dh doesn't mean to be, but he tends to be more harsh than I like.

Any advice from moms that have BTDT? TIA

[Mommy&Will]

Well, I was going to tell you to try the flushable wipes. My 5 year old ds did use those for awhile but then reverted back to me wiping. I think mainly it was because I switched to Tushies' flushable wipes and quite frankly they suck.

So I still wipe, but I am celebrating because most days now he uses the big potty rather than his little potty to poop. I'm so tired of cleaning that out!

[Embee]

Originally Posted by SheBear

on the merits that I'd already changed 3 years worth of diapers, and now it ought to be a guy thing.

Now why didn't I think of that?

Well, I'm not sure you'll be able to use this post but, my 6 1/2 year old still calls for help. He just can't seem to get the job done thoroughly enough by himself and he's well aware of his "sensitive bottom" and what the inevitable (and uncomfortable) consequences are for not having gotten the job all the way done. He'd rather avoid that at this point, and call for help.

So, I'm still hearing, "I NEED YOU!" on a regular basis and really, I just try not to think or worry about it much. I know like with every other thing, he'll get to a point where it's important to do it himself. In the last year I see that he's become more modest in general. I'm confident the wiping thing will kick in as well. DS has always been the type to avoid things until he can do them well: (didn't try to walk until he could walk across the room, etc.)

And... I can see why it's hard for him, having to reach back there, not really see, and try to do a good job. I think there's a certain coordination required that he just hasn't quite mastered yet. All kids master things at different ages/developmental levels. DS is amazing in so many ways (art, music, verbal ability), and yet sometimes it's the "little things" that he takes more time to master.

This too shall pass?

The best,
Em

[grisandole]

The flushable wipes help ds2 quite a bit.

[SheBear]

Thanks, Mamas! That actually does help, in that I needed the reminder that this is just a fleeting thing, and in the big picture, it's okay for him to not be independant on this issue yet.

I just need to keep in mind that someday, there's a good chance that he'll be helping me and dh do this same job when we aren't able to manage it alone anymore, huh?

I have to say though.....while i was actually joking, the idea of a hand mirror is starting to seem like a not-bad idea.....hmmm!

[Embee]

Originally Posted by SheBear

I just need to keep in mind that someday, there's a good chance that he'll be helping me and dh do this same job when we aren't able to manage it alone anymore, huh?

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