When is it time to let your kid start wiping independently?
Categories: Toddlers, Development
Okay, so maybe that's not the best question to broadcast in bold type across the Internet, but it is something I'm currently debating. Bean has been potty trained since he was about 24 months old, and he's been accident free at night for the past month or two... but he doesn't strike me as being ready, yet, to wipe independently.
Although he'd like to think he is.
If I'm not swift enough, I'll catch him stuffing a half a yard of toilet paper down behind him. He does a fair job of actually wiping himself--but his aim isn't superb, and let's just say there is a circumference clearly marked after he's through--on the toilet seat, etc. Yuck.
But at some point, I'm guessing he's gonna have to try and fail, and try and fail again in order to eventually succeed and become independent with this task. He's 34 months old. When is it reasonable to let him attempt this whole process by himself?
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
ame s 12-15-2007 @ 6:17PM
I would say let him try, with supervision. Two words for you: Flushable Wipes! lol Once he gets the hang of it, one flushable wipe will do the job, and much better than the ole t.p.
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Jill 12-16-2007 @ 11:30AM
Starting at age three I made my kids try. Then I'd follow up with a flushable wipe. Honestly, they didn't do a good job until around kindergarten. When I didn't follow up they'd end up with a diaper rash basically. I think their little arms just don't reach well. Like everything else about parenting, they don't tell you about this part. You think that when they're potty trained, you're done dealing with poop. Not so.
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LS 12-16-2007 @ 11:38AM
I found that the toilet paper that Cottonelle makes for kids - with the pictures of the dog and little paw prints on it - helps with the "stuffing of the toilet paper". The prints go for about four squares, and then there's a picture of the dog. My son will repeat over and over, "Just up to the dog", as he takes the right amount of toilet paper. After the first few tries, we haven't had any trouble. And believe me, I'd know.... we have a septic tank, and if you use too much of ANYTHING, it tells you....
The flushable wipes have also been very helpful, and reduce waste for the entire family.
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BigGUM 12-16-2007 @ 12:18PM
It was kindergarten before we got any real independence in this area. Even now, in first grade, he'll still sometimes ask for help if he's home and things are, well, extra messy. We do provide flushable wipes and that helps a lot; so do washable cloth wipes if that's ok to you.
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Jan Bay 12-16-2007 @ 12:35PM
I like the Cottonelle tp tip given by L S, but my plumber doesn't recommend any tissue but Scott. It's something about the way it breaks down and doesn't clog the pipes or something.
Anyway back to the baby booty wiping thing, I have a friend who teaches 1st grade and she says she spends the first month or so of each school year teaching FIRST GRADERS how to wipe properly. When I asked was that part of her job description, she said that it was not but that she got tired of seeing uncomfortable, itchy children that couldn't sit still.
Jan from http://www.unique-baby-gear-ideas.com
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