Potty Training Tips for Boys: 10 Real Moms Share Their Real Experiences
Looking for potty training tips for boys? Some parents will say that it’s definitely more challenging when it comes to potty training a boy and others . . . . not so much!
As a mom of a 3-year-old, I’ve learned every situation and child is different so seeking advice from moms that have ‘been there done that’ is PRICELESS! Whether it’s how to potty train overnight, what’s the best age to start potty training and all the other burning questions new parents have when potty training a boy.
Knowing when to potty train a child can be a little stressful for new parents but it really doesn’t have to be. . . Regardless of their age.
Having a different perspective from moms with different experiences may be just what you need to help you when potty training boys.
Each mom’s story is unique! These 10 super moms have all been through the trials and tribulations and were happy to share their experiences and potty training tips for boys.
And, this is what they’ve said . . .
Tamara Prosper @ Build Balance, Mom of 3
Tamara is an author, legacy builder, life balancer, problem solver and light seeker. She loves writing, reading, blogging, singing, gardening, learning, and growing @ www.BuildBalance.Home.Blog.
How long did it take you to potty train your sons?
About 2 to 4 weeks.
How did you potty train overnight?
We started with pull-ups. That took the longest. Day training took about a week. Night training took 2 or 3 times as long. At a certain point he wanted his big boy underwear at night. He loved The Hulk so most of his underwear had that character. He also knew that our daughters (each are 3 and 6 years older than him) didn’t wear pull-ups so he really didn’t want them. He only had a few accidents. We didn’t let him drink much after dinner, and my husband would check on him around midnight and bring him to the bathroom, then back to bed. It worked pretty well.
Do you feel boys are stubborn when it comes to potty training?
Mine wasn’t, but many of my friends and family members say their boys were very stubborn.
Did you use potty training books & videos at all?
No.
What’s the best age for potty training boys?
I’m not sure. I don’t think it’s good to generalize because children do things at different places. I think it’s a bad idea to try and force it before they’re ready. My son was about 2 years old. He started shortly before his birthday and was completely trained a few weeks later.
What is the one thing you would give a new mom that helped you and your little one with the potty training process?
A little potty chair to sit beside the toilet. All 3 of my children learned that way. They followed us or each other to the bathroom, sat on the potty and tried to do what we did.
Do you feel boys take longer to potty train than girls?
In my case, my son and 2 daughters were pretty much the same.
Any other tips & tricks you have for new mommies?
If you have floors that are easy to clean, just take the diaper off for a few days.
>> Related: Potty Training: Stress-Free & In 5 Easy Steps
Which potty training method should I choose when potty training a boy?
That is a great question however the answer will really vary depending on the child, you, your household, schedule, if your son has to be potty trained before going to school, etc.
There are 3 main methods that potty training fails into:
- Let your child train themselves method – This is my favorite potty training method and it seems to cause the less amount of stress for both you and your child. It basically allows your child to transition on their own terms.
- 3-day method – This method schedules a set time frame (2-3 days), you plan & prepare & there’s usually no use of Pulls or Diapers – even at night.
- The child-oriented (CO) method – This method was introduced by Dr. T Berry Brazelton. Similar to the 1st method listed however it involves waiting for certain signs and proceeding with certain steps based on what queues you get from your child.
You definitely want to start thinking about your options and just go for it! If it doesn’t work and/or you feel stressed . . . take a break and then start back at it a little later.
Side Note: If you wait for your child to be ready, the potty training process will be quicker and easier for sure!
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Megan Dahlman @ Strong Mommas, Mom of 2 boys
Megan is a mom podcaster, blogger, work-at-home mom, fitness trainer
and nutrition coach to moms @ Strong-Mommas.com.
How long did it take you to potty train your sons?
I have two sons and both were different! One was a self-starter and trained quickly (one intensive weekend and then a month of reinforcement), while my other one took more than a year to fully potty train!
How did you potty train overnight?
Overnight…haha! Nope! But “Naked weekend” definitely worked! Pick an entire weekend to stay home and have him wear only a t-shirt. No diapers, no undies, no training pants. Put the little potty in the middle of the living room if you need to, and encourage them to “just try” every hour. And celebrate like crazy every time they go!
Do you feel boys are stubborn when it comes to potty training?
Totally depends on the personality! But yes, they certainly can be really stubborn about it!
Did you use potty training books & videos at all?
No we didn’t. Just good ol’ fashioned mom advice!
What’s the best age for potty training boys?
As late as possible…around 3 years old or later. Boys just haven’t a clue about it when they’re younger. It will take you so much longer from start to finish if you force it earlier.
What is the one thing you would give a new mom that helped you and your little one with the potty training process?
Be patient. It’s easy to want the entire episode to happen very quickly and to be a mom that can say “he learned in just one day!”. But that’s so rare, so don’t place those expectations on yourself. Hold off on it as long as you can, and expect many great days and many, many not so great days with lots of accidents. Just remember, they won’t be wearing diapers in Kindergarten! They’ll figure it out.
Do you feel boys take longer to potty train than girls?
Not necessarily, especially if you can hold off for as long as possible. I have a niece that refused to potty train until she was well over three!
Any other tips & tricks you have for new mommies?
Definitely try “naked weekend”…it helps get the ball rolling. Make sure to always carry lots and lots of extra clothes in every purse, diaper bag and car that you own. And then be mentally prepared that either the “pee” or the “poo” might click with your little, but rarely both click simultaneously…and that’s totally normal!
Will you be potty training your son? . . . Save this for later!
Toni-Ann Mayembe @ Real Happy Mom, Mom of 2 boys
Toni-Ann is a mom with a passion to help other moms with this journey called motherhood through her blog and podcast, Real Happy Mom. She is also a dentist in Jacksonville, Florida and a huge WWE fan.
How long did it take you to potty train your sons?
2 weeks.
How did you potty train overnight?
This took time. We limited drinks after a certain time and made sure that we had extra sheets and a mattress cover for back up. I tried waking my son up to go to the potty a few hours after going to sleep because he would always wet the bed at a certain time. But I found this harder on me and eventually he figured it out. We still have accidents, but nearly as much as he used to.
Do you feel boys are stubborn when it comes to potty training?
Yes.
Did you use potty training books & videos at all?
No. I learn what motivated my son and used this to my advantage.
What’s the best age for potty training boys?
At age 3. I think that they could be trained earlier, but they understand and can communicate better at 3.
What is the one thing you would give a new mom that helped you and your little one with the potty training process?
Be patient. Don’t give up.
DO YOU FEEL BOYS TAKE LONGER TO POTTY TRAIN THAN GIRLS?
I think the same. I don’t have girls to compare to, but based on what other moms tell me I think it is about the same.
Any other tips & tricks you have for new mommies?
My secret is figuring out what motivates your child to get them to go to the potty. I am a dentist and don’t like fruit snacks, but my son loves them. When I figured out he would do anything for a fruit snack, I would let him have fruit snacks if he successfully went to the potty. Soon he was going on his on because he was ready for more fruit snacks.
Potty Training Tips for Boys
How do I know my son is ready to potty train?
This will vary depending on the child but there are certain signs you will see as it gets closer to that time. The things to look for are:
- hide behind something or go off to themselves to relieve themselves
- sitting on the potty by themselves (granted you’ve already bought them one and have it in an area of your home they can access easily)
- they may signal to you that they have to relieve themselves
- showing independence (ex. saying things like ‘I can do it myself!”, can undress themselves, etc.)
- being able to stay dry for 2 more hours at a time
Do boys potty train sitting or standing?
First learning to pee and poop sitting down is ideal. Then once he’s mastered that you can then move on trying standing up.
“When a child is learning, you want to keep the number of variables that he needs to think about to a minimum. Deciding whether to sit or stand can cause him to hesitate a few seconds—and those seconds can be crucial.” – Dr. Maureen O’Brien, Ph.D., director of parenting and child development at The First Years.
Side note: If you decide, to buy a training potty be careful with the urinal guards that come with them. Urinal guards are meant to help keep urine from spraying on the floor but they sometimes scrape against the child – which can be somewhat painful for your son.
The are usually removable but make sure with the one you choose to get. You want to keep pee from hitting the floor however you don’t want your son to associate pain with going to the potty.
Jaymi @ The Salty Mamas, Mom of 3
Jaymi, along with her best friend Christine, are parenting bloggers and potty training experts at TheSaltyMamas.com.
How long did it take you to potty train your son?
It felt like 100 years, but in truth, it was probably about 9 months. But once he was actually ready to potty training? About a month.
How did you potty train overnight?
I’ll let you know when we finally get around to it! I’m still recovering from the trauma of potty training during the day.
Do you feel boys are stubborn when it comes to potty training?
That was not the case for us.
Did you use potty training books & videos at all?
We lived and breathed potty training, including dedicating some of our reading and screen time to it. Our favorite book was “Potty” by Leslie Patricelli, and our favorite video was the Potty Song by Sesame Street.
What’s the best age for potty training boys?
2 and ½. My first son was not ready until closer to 3, but my twins were ready by 2 and ½.
What is the one thing you would give a new mom that helped you and your little one with the potty training process?
Keep track of your progress- otherwise, it might seem like you aren’t actually making any. But if you keep notes in a dedicated planner, you’ll be able to see that things are getting easier, even when they don’t seem like it.
Do You Feel Boys Take Longer To Potty Train Than Girls?
In my case, my son took MUCH longer to potty train than my daughter.
Any other tips & tricks you have for new mommies?
Get some Clorox wipes and a tub of jelly beans. You’re gonna need LOTS of both (And a little wine for you won’t hurt either).
Felicia Tucker @ Ford Girls, Mom of 3
She’s a wife and mom of 3 (includes a set of twins). My world consists of fostering a healthy marriage and nurturing my children while integrating that into my career. It is never a dull moment! I am learning how to enjoy the small moments, not sweat the small stuff and go to sleep with the toys strewn over the living room floor. Get to know Felicia at Ford Girls.
How long did it take you to potty train your sons?
Matthew who is six. We started potty training him at age 3 and it took us about 6 months for him to be completely trained. Ethan who is three…..he is a different story. We have tried multiple times and he is very resistant. We did have a breakthrough yesterday at daycare and he actually used the bathroom on his own. After that one time……that was it for the day!
How do you potty train overnight?
I didn’t train my boys overnight. I believe it takes time to train your body to do new things. You know, just like learning a new exercise or a new skill as adults. Kids are no different.
Do you feel boys are stubborn when it comes to potty training?
I don’t know if boys are more stubborn than girls. I only have boys. But I think it’s unique to each child, not gender. I would say that if your child is being stubborn, then he or she may not be ready to train yet.
Did you use potty training books & videos at all?
Nope, I didn’t use any potty training books or videos. I am the oldest of four and did a lot of babysitting growing up, and ran a daycare for a few years as well. So I felt pretty capable.
What’s the best age for potty training boys?
Personally, l think the best age is two. Because two-year-olds are becoming more in tune to and in charge of their own bodies, plus they are still young enough to pretty much do what you ask them to. But it’s even better to train your child when your child is ready, not by a specific age.
What is the one thing you would give a new mom that helped you and your little one with the potty training process?
The one thing that helped me? If I had to choose just one, I’d say train yourself first. That’s what my first blog post in my series is all about. You have to be committed to the process. It’s going to interrupt your day-to-day lifestyle for a bit, and you have to be ok with that and stick it out. The other things that really helped me were: training when my kids were ready, using underwear instead of pull-ups, and being extremely patient, supportive and not shaming or humiliating my children when they had accidents. Using a timer was also helpful for me. And making it fun. ??
Do You Feel Boys Take Longer To Potty Train Than Girls?
I don’t know if boys take longer to potty train than girls. My bet is that it’s child-specific, not gender-specific. I have some boys who took longer than the others.
Any other tips & tricks you have for new mommies?
Incentives worked well with Matthew. We used a portable potty and that seems to work and be less intimidating.
Potty training your little one? . . . Don’t stress, and don’t push them. They will get it on their own time. Stressing and pushing just makes it harder for everyone.
Shannon Lambert Making Mommas, Mom of 6 boys
Shannon is a work-at-home mom & wife. Find her at www.MakingMommas.com.
How long did it take you to potty train your sons?
I really don’t remember. I think the twins were about a month. The majority of them were around that. My second oldest and my seven-year-old were probably about a week. They were super quick.
How did you potty train?
I didn’t train my boys overnight. I believe it takes time to train your body to do new things. You know, just like learning a new exercise or a new skill as adults. Kids are no different.
Do you feel boys are stubborn when it comes to potty training?
I don’t know if boys are more stubborn than girls. I only have boys. But I think it’s unique to each child, not gender. I would say that if your child is being stubborn, then he or she may not be ready to train yet.
Did you use potty training books & videos at all?
Nope, I didn’t use any potty training books or videos. I am the oldest of four and did a lot of babysitting growing up, and ran a daycare for a few years as well. So I felt pretty capable.
What’s the best age for potty training boys?
Personally, l think the best age is two. Because two-year-olds are becoming more in tune to and in charge of their own bodies, plus they are still young enough to pretty much do what you ask them to. But it’s even better to train your child when your child is ready, not by a specific age.
What is the one thing you would give a new mom that helped you and your little one with the potty training process?
The one thing that helped me? ? If I had to choose just one, I’d say train yourself first. That’s what my first blog post in my series is all about. You have to be committed to the process. It’s going to interrupt your day to day lifestyle for a bit, and you have to be ok with that and stick it out. The other things that really helped me were: training when my kids were ready, using underwear instead of pull-ups, and being extremely patient, supportive and not shaming or humiliating my children when they had accidents. Using a timer was also helpful for me. And making it fun.
Do You Feel Boys Take Longer To Potty Train Than Girls?
I don’t know if boys take longer to potty train than girls. My bet is that it’s child-specific, not gender-specific. I have some boys who took longer than the others.
Thinking about trying the ‘Oh Crap! Potty Training Book?
Some parents rave about Oh Crap! Potty Training by Jamie Glowacki! Check out this funny video showing how it works.
Mary Rohrer @ Mama Rohrers Pride, Mom of 2 boys
I’m Mary Rohrer (pronounced “roar” like a lion), mom blogger at MamaRohrersPride.com. I have worked with children for over 15 years as a preschool teacher. I love sharing ideas that help you teach your children right at home. I’m a stay-at-home mom of two beautiful boys and love every minute of it.
Do you feel boys are stubborn when it comes to potty training?
As a preschool teacher (for over 15 years) who has potty trained many boys & girls, I know for a fact that boys are more stubborn then girls when it comes to potty training.
What good potty training books & videos are recommended?
We love the potty books . . . The Potty Train by David C. Hockman & Ruth Kennison and Pirate Potty by Samantha Berger (includes pirate hat and stickers). Also, toys like Potty Time Elmo helps.
Do you feel boys are stubborn when it comes to potty training?
As a preschool teacher (for over 15 years) who has potty trained many boys & girls, I know for a fact that boys are more stubborn than girls when it comes to potty training.
Did you use potty training books & videos at all?
We love the potty books . . . The Potty Train by David C. Hockman & Ruth Kennison and Pirate Potty by Samantha Berger (includes pirate hat and stickers). Also, toys like Potty Time Elmo helps.
What’s the best age for potty training boys?
Maybe 2 and a half.
What is the one thing you would give a new mom that helped you and your little one with the potty training process?
Staying consistent is the most important tip I can give anyone.
Do You Feel Boys Take Longer To Potty Train Than Girls?
Staying consistent is the most important tip I can give anyone.
Tips for Potty Training Boys
Don’t Rush It! . . . Wait Until Your Son is Ready
This is probably the best potty training tip . . . EVER! Every child is different and it’s common for some parents to start wondering when it’s time to start potty training. Trust me . . . Potty training your son doesn’t have to be stressful!
Stock Up on Supplies
Stocking up in supplies is definitely a MUST! I don’t know about you but the thought of poop and pee all over the place gives me anxiety.
I recommend stocking up with a training potty or training seat, cleaning supplies, depending on which method you choose – pull-ups (cloth or disposable), toddler underwear with their favorite characters, moist wipes (flushable or non-flushable) and maybe large absorbent mats (disposable or reusable).
Some moms wonder if buying a training potty really necessary. . . Of course, it’s not an absolute must but it definitely helps with the potty training process. It’s really great for your little one to have a potty of their own.
Not only does this allow you to take the potty to the different areas that you spend most of your time but it also makes it super comfortable for them. You want them to be able to lean forward and be able to touch the floor with their feet. The alternative to this is using a potty training seat that has a ladder attached. They could use the steps on the little ladder to rest their feet when they’re on the potty.
Teach by Example
You will be amazed at how much kids learn by watching others. Visual learning is the ultimate way to learn to go to the potty. Having a sibling and/or their dad helps when potty training boys!
Overnight Potty Training
Learning to potty train a boy overnight is a whole different situation. To control your bladder when you sleep takes much longer than daytime potty training. It could take months or even years before boys [and girls] are completely potty-trained at night. There are certain things that you can look for when it comes to deciding if it’s time to potty train at night.
Things to keep in mind when your lil man is ready for overnight potty training:
- Is he using the potty consistently in the daytime?
- Make sure he uses the bathroom before naps and at bedtime at night. If you find the pull-up is dry most of the time, then you want to give it start training at night.
- There will be accidents ,so try not to lose it! . . .You know exactly what I’m talkin’ about!?
- Depending on you and your little man, you may even want to get him up in the middle of the night and have him go to the potty. Just know that this doesn’t work for all kids . . . Some of them will wake all the way up and won’t go right back to sleep.?
Accidents Will Happen
So, you should know there WILL be accidents. Try not to lose it when they happen! I’m not here to tell you what to do with your child . . . just keep in mind punishing or scolding him will more than likely delay the process.
One of the things you want to look out for (when you want to minimize accidents) is when your little one is distracted playing and/or watching TV. They get so caught up in what they are doing that they don’t stop to go to the potty, which usually results in an accident.
Set Aside Commando Time
This is fun for kids! They love running around in the nude anyway! So, during the time you are home and looking to get them to use the potty, this is a great way to encourage them to do so. This is where having their own training potty comes in handy. You place it in the areas of the home where you guys spend most of your time. Eventually, you want to keep it in the bathroom so that he gets used to using the potty in the bathroom – not everywhere else. Some moms use puppy pads to keep the kids from soiling the couch and/or floor.
Reward and Praise Them
I’m personally all for giving rewards and/or praises to the little ones. It’s great to encourage them and let them know they are doing a good job. Plus, it’s an incentive to do something they might not do without one!
Meghan Mayer, @ The Mega Mom, Mom of 4
Meghan is a stay-at-home mom & wife with 1 girl and 3 boys (includes a set of twins) at The Mega Mom.
How long did it take you to potty train your sons?
It took 7 days.
How did you potty train overnight?
I’ll let you know when we finally get around to it! I’m still recovering from the trauma of potty training during the day.
Do you feel boys are stubborn when it comes to potty training?
Potty training my son was SO different than potty training my daughter. I had to find a reason why he needed to potty train- in order to attend a Vacation Bible School with his friends- in order to really get him on board.
Did you use potty training books & videos at all?
I did not.
What’s the best age for potty training boys?
Every child is likely to be different, but I would guess that close to three years old is a safer bet than starting younger. We tried at two, and all we got was frustrated!
What is the one thing you would give a new mom that helped you and your little one with the potty training process?
Patience. Lots and lots of patience. It’s a frustrating time for everyone. So take the pressure off you and your little one, they will get it eventually, I promise. Stressing out will only have a negative impact on the whole process.
Do You Feel Boys Take Longer To Potty Train Than Girls?
In my case, my son took MUCH longer to potty train than my daughter.
Charlie Alexander @ Paper Scissors Craft, Mom of 2
Charlie blogs at PaperScissorsCraft.com, a kids craft and activities blog. She’s a mom to two crazy kiddos, and has a passion for crafts, that she loves sharing with her kids. Learn quick, easy, and cheap crafts and activities at her little craft corner.
How long did it take you to potty train your son?
He was difficult, so from the time we started easing into it and then to full potty training was about 6 weeks. From the time he caught on to full potty training, a week.
How did you potty train overnight?
I didn’t. I wish I could, but I didn’t. haha
Do you feel boys are stubborn when it comes to potty training?
Yes, but my girl was too!
Did you use potty training books & videos at all?
We used a potty training sticker book. It helped a little. We watched Daniel Tiger Potty YouTube videos, and I read a few different blogs, actually, about different strategies.
What’s the best age for potty training boys?
2.5-3 years old.
What is the one thing you would give a new mom that helped you and your little one with the potty training process?
Easing into it. We started by sitting his little potty in front of the TV with some juice until he peed. Once he got okay with that we had him get up and down from the potty. Then we had him wear underwear getting up and down. Then we moved to the big potty. He got peeing down, then we had to do poop. We had him change into a diaper just to poop and then change back to underwear. We slowly transitioned to the potty by asking him every time to try when he pooped.
Do You Feel Boys Take Longer To Potty Train Than Girls?
Yes, my boy took longer than my girl.
Any other tips & tricks you have for new mommies?
Don’t stress, and don’t push them. They will get it on their own time. Stressing and pushing just makes it harder for everyone.
Mommin’ ain’t easy!
Rachel, Mom of 1
Rachel is a nurse, a MUA, world traveler, loves to cook/bake and a busy single mom on the go.
How long did it take you to potty train your son?
It took about a year for me to fully train him.
How did you potty train overnight?
I didn’t. It took a year and incorporate ideas from other moms and the pediatrician. My son’s father also help by teaching by example.
Do you feel your son was stubborn when it comes to potty training?
Yes, he definitely gave me a hard time. The more frustrated I got the more resistant he became.
Did you use potty training books & videos at all?
Daniel Tiger & Everybody Poops helped us.
What’s the best age for potty training boys?
I think 2 years old is a perfect time for you to start.
What is the one thing you would give a new mom that helped you and your little one with the potty training process?
Patience.
Do You Feel Boys Take Longer To Potty Train Than Girls?
Umm . . . It hard for me to give an unbiased opinion because I only have 1 and he’s a boy.
Any other tips & tricks you have for new mommies?
If you can get help . . . Get help! Whoever is willing to help you with the process, be open and appreciate any help that you can get.
Final Thoughts
Potty training boys isn’t so bad! As you can see from other moms . . . it really boils down to your child and your situation. Every child is different so that means being potty trained will come at different ages. Don’t feel any kinda way if your child is taking longer than you expected.
Don’t rush it! As moms, we sometimes tend to try to compare out child to the next. . . Don’t do it!! Your lil man will go when he’s ready and . . . that’s it!
Use these potty training tips for boys as a guide to help your little one transition and help take the stress out of it.
