Trying to teach your kid to wipe their bum is not so easy. We’ve got a lot going on here. We’ve got to worry about germs, about cleanliness so they don’t wind up with sore butts, clogging the toilet with what they believe is reasonable to use, and then there is the whole wash your hands the right way thing.
Thankfully my college kid doesn’t read this blog or he might murder me because he was THE HARDEST kid to teach. My daughter on the other hand? A little easier.
Here are some things you can try to take the aggravation out of teaching your kid to wipe their bum. If you have tips your own, please share!
Teach Your Kid to Wipe His Bum
1. I know your preschool is probably telling you they have to wipe themselves. I totally get that. But, some sources say a preschooler doesn’t have the dexterity to actually do it – properly, at least. (source) And guess what? Shaming a kiddo for not being able to wipe their bum or for not doing it correctly can cause some serious issues (they’ll refuse to poop, or they’ll hide their accidents, and lots more.)
2. Teach your little one to count out the number of toilet paper squares you have decided are best for use. Why? Because otherwise you’re getting the kid who uses one square or the one who has made it his mission to flush ALL the toilet paper.
4. The wet wipes are a dream to help kids really do a better job wiping their bum. Keep some close by for them. Maybe put some colorful stickers on them so they are reminded.
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5. Explain why it’s so important to be clean in their private areas. They can feel sore or itchy or both. At bath time please remember it’s not enough to just have the kiddo sit in a tub to get clean. Teach them how to bathe their privates properly. (Just imagine if all you did to keep clean was sit in a tub of water every day. Umm…no!)
6. Hand-washing is a priority here. Soap they like should be within reach of the sink in the bathroom. Teach them to sing Happy Birthday to Germs while they wash their hands so that they don’t go to quickly.
7. Watch for signs they are having some trouble. You’ll probably see some dirty undies, or your kids will start to pull and scratch at their bottoms.
8. Be cool about this. Seriously. Don’t freak out. Don’t insult. Don’t be short-tempered. This is something we all had to learn and it can be challenging for kiddos. If your otherwise healthy 40 year-old still needs you to clean his bottom, then we can talk panic.
Trouble down there: 7 common reasons for your kid’s discomfort
What tips do you have? What challenges have you faced and how did you overcome them?
Sher Bailey is a writer in the Midwest who believes the power of humor, Mod Podge, and grandkids can fix most problems in life. You can find her at SherBailey.com.
Bernice says
When my son was a baby he was allergic to all baby wipes so I would bath him clean after every dirty diaper. It was a two person job until he could stand then it was easier. Then when he potty trained he couldn’t use toilet paper so I bought him wet wipes and have been using them ever since. Lifesaver let me tell you. 🙂
Cassandra says
My son was allergic to the wipes too but I would rinse them and then us them it was better.
Kristi says
My second child is going to start kindergarten this fall and he still yells for us to come wipe him after he poops (in the toilet). I have hesitated teaching him to wipe himself because his poopies are REALLY soft. I guess that means he’s eating a well balanced diet, but it also means that it is always a mess down there after he goes number 2. I don’t remember how I taught our oldest to wipe himself but I know he didn’t have this problem – or non problem, depending how you look at it. We are using the flushable wet wipes, which I agree, are a lifesaver! Only other moms can find their kids poop this interesting, or perplexing.
Phoenixchick says
My daughter is EIGHT and she has ADHD. She either doesn’t care or she forgets to wipe and it drives me CRAZY.
Robin says
That is super common in kids with ADHD, ASD, etc. Once the poop is out, they are done– there mind has completely moved on to something else :-). I don’t have a solution for you, I had the same struggle. One thing that helped tough, was that I got superhero soap and towels and explained to my son that his germs were being transferred to me, and it was giving me diarrhea. Which was, sadly enough, true!! I needed him to be my hero and keep us clean and healthy. It wasn’t a perfect solution but it helped a lot. He is 9 now and USUALLY cleans up without reminding 🙂
Robin says
*Their
OMG, grammar fail
Kate says
We taught our little guys to wipe their bum while sitting on the toilet (instead of while standing). They sit frog-legged on the seat – soles of their feet together on the front of the toilet seat – which gives them easy access to their rears.
Kelly says
After wiping my daughter with ‘hands on the floor, bum in the air’ technique getting her to do it herself has proven tricky. But this method works and we use wipes. Easy life finally! (Although I still get the 6.3am call ‘mummy, can you check my bum for poo!!!’
Ellafancy says
Our city had been sending out messages on their Facebook page and in the utility bills not to use the flushable wipes because they’re clogging up the system and causing all kinds of plumbing issues for individuals and the city. They are saying that even though thec wipes say they are septic safe and flushable the don’t break down and disintegrate over time. I’m struggling to finding a good method to teach my son how to wipe without wipes. Wipes would be so easy.
Dawn says
WHere is that wipes hanger from?? THat is awesome!
Michelle says
That’s what I want to know too!
maghen says
amazon! Just click on the picture and it will take you to the link. 🙂
Sara says
The one square wipe was a problem for me. The flushable wet ones are wonderful for #2. I had a problem with getting frustrated with her when she would go potty, then just as I sat down ask to go again. (we have one bathroom on the 2nd floor) I thought maybe I was helping teacher her how to hold it in but have decided that just agreeing is worth any accidents. But it can be tough when we are out in a public place going over and over again
Jenn M. says
Hmmmm. Five kids and I’ve never thought about this. Oh well, they all made it to adulthood with clean butts, so I guess we’re good.
millie says
What is that sprayer by the toilet? If it is whqt I think it is where can I buy one? Does this wash the bum?
Emma says
What are your thoughts on motivating them to wipe their bums? My daughter’s both can wipe they just simply don’t want to. I’ve tried sticker charts and a few other methods but nothing seems to work. I’m sick of wiping their bums please help!
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