How do you teach a five year old to wipe his butt?

Question

We have a boy who is almost six and he fails to wipe himself after a major transaction. I've been told it's hard to teach boys the correct procedures in the bathroom, but this is ridiculous. He is not having accidents, he just chooses not to wipe and it's gross... Not to mention unhealthy and we've thrown away a lot of underwear.

Answer 1

My 4 yr old son uses the flushable wipes - but I need to be right outside the door to REMIND him to wipe, and wash his hands.  Maybe your son just forgets rather than refuses.  Go with him until he is more reliable, you don't need to do it for him, just remind him what he has to do!

Answer 2

Have you tried leaving wet wipes (the flushable kind, of course) in the bathroom?  That helped my son.  They work easier and you can see whether or not you need to keep wiping.  My son is also 5 and this has worked for him since he was 3.  It's a simple solution that just might help!  Good luck!

Answer 3

first...put on rubber gloves.

I have had this issue with my 3 year old nephew.

What I did is demostrate to him on how to make sure when you wipe to do it until you see no more brown. He might use alot of wipes but at least he cleans himself well now.

Answer 4

first you take a dump and have your 5 year old watching you then you make sure hes watching and wipe ur *** then he'll no wat to do

Answer 5

I would just follow him to the bathroom and watch to make sure he does wipe.  There's nothing to teach, you just need to tell him and keep telling him.  Like you said, it's a choice he's making.  

Buy the flushable wipes, sometimes kids don't want to wipe because they are afraid they will make a mess (ie. smear it all over their bum and not be able to get it off).  The wipes are easier for them to use.  Have you asked him why he doesn't wipe?

Answer 6

What about those "Kando" wipes? They are in the baby toddler aisle. They could be his special wipes and are softer than toilet paper.

Answer 7

What I would do is show him and make sure you do not leave him un supervised. Once he starts doing good leave a jar of candy in the bathroom and reward him everytime he does good. My son was potty trained by two and wiped his bottom very well by 3. Also I bought him wipes so it was easier for him :) Once my son did well in the potty he washed his hands and I have him a candy ( IT REALLY WORKS!)

Answer 8

Just show him how it's done or if not he's gonna be some nasty/ piggish boy in his future.

Answer 9

do it to urself and make him try it....that works.

Answer 10

I have the same issues with my son whom will be six in July.  Sorry to say it, but I am releived that my son is not the only one going through this.  I have found that buying him the Kandoo flushable wipes, or even the store brand flushable wipes help some.  Sometimes, he just gets stubborn and wants me to do it so I do.  I think it is better to help him, then to throw away all those underwear.  I started buying darker colored boxer breifs.  They tend to wash better than the regular white breifs.  Also try washing them with dish soap that has oxy or bleach in it.  This works better than laundry soap.

Answer 11

tell him he will end up with a tummy upset or worms.scare tactics work a treat on my kids!

Answer 12

I think that's awsome, your kid would be fun at parties!

Answer 13

i had this problem with my 6 year old daughter...she ruined a lot of underwear because she wasnt wiping. i just explained to her that she could get sick from not wiping and i told her that i was going to put her back in diapers until she learned. she didnt like that idea and so far so good...she is wiping.

Answer 14

let him take a dump thin scoot around on the carpet for a while on his bare @$$

Answer 15

Monitor him when he goes and assist him, if necessary, and reward him when he succeeds.