So we’re going to get serious here. My 3 and 5 year old boys are definitely different in the bathroom department. Andrew – our 5 year old mess fearing child– potty trained ‘naked’, and Ethan – our 3 year old independent kid – seemingly decided one day that he was ready and caught on super fast. They’re both generally still reliant on us in that one department though – in which we hear daily: ‘Mommmyyyyy will you wipe my butt??’ from one child…. and the other one just chooses not to announce he’s pooping, and ends up with a sore itchy bum because he doesn’t bother wiping.
For the longest time we have helped our oldest wipe, and chased our youngest to the bathroom to try catching him before he finishes up! But now with Andrew starting KINDERGARTEN (Ahhh!!!!) in two short months, and Ethan starting Preschool in three short months: I’m trying to let them be a little more independent, and responsible – and learn the art of wiping. First, I needed to get some great tips on helping them become independent in this area. I’ve compiled the list of the most helpful things in our situation.
Teaching your Kids to Wipe
Gather your supplies
Teaching kids to wipe can be frustrating enough – be sure that you have the right supplies to make the transition as easy as possible!
A strong and effective Toilet Paper: like Cottonelle Clean Care Toilet Paper is a great choice: The bumpy surface allows their fingers to tell the difference when they’re touching paper vs. touching skin (or poop!). Cottonelle also has a tuggable, huggable softness – so a little bit goes a long way!
An insurance policy: Not real insurance of course – but the Cottonelle Fresh Care Flushable Cleansing Cloths – now also available in convenient On-The-Go Soft Packs – are a perfect second step to the toilet paper – the wet+dry combination ensures that you are getting the most effective clean in the shortest amount of time. They are alcohol free, sewer and septic safe, and oh-so-gentle!
At home We love the Fresh Care Flushable Cleansing Cloths with the dispenser- but I love the On-The-Go Soft Packs packs for my purse – so when we’re at the park or out to eat, we still can keep them wiping their own bottoms with confidence!
Explain the Basics
First things first: You’ll want to explain to them the importance of wiping. My oldest son doesn’t like to be dirty, so he already knows the importance: but my youngest definitely needs the lesson!
Give them Examples
Show them how they should wipe. Yes, please keep your pants on! Specifically talking through how much toilet paper to grab, how to fold it so their fingers don’t get messy – and the basic action from front to back – and of course: a stopping point so they don’t smear up their back! A big thing to point out is to always use clean spots of their TP. So, if they’ve wiped, they need to fold it over or get a new piece.
Practice makes Perfect!
A friend mentioned a brilliant idea: Using a bowl: smear a small amount of peanut butter on it, and have them practice removing the peanut butter with the toilet paper and wipes while attempting to keep their hands clean. It’s really hard to get that coordination down of keeping their fingers behind the paper: so this is a great activity – and even fun!
They had fun licking their hands, but I had to explain again and again that we’re pretending that the peanut butter is POOP! Never eating poop or licking their fingers after wiping – super important lesson! 
Trial and Error
My youngest went right for trying to wipe, My oldest had us watch him and make sure it was all gone. I’ve got to say, they really did a better job after this!!
Rewards!
Just like we did with our potty training charts: when they wipe, flush, and wash: they get a star! When they’ve got 25 stars (21 to make a habit – 25 to make it square.) then they can pick out a prize!!
If you’re interested in trying out the Cottonelle Flushing Cleansing Cloths On-The-Go Soft packs, and Clean Care Toilet Paper – Be sure to click here to find a location to purchase. You can also check out Cherry Healey talking about Bums in her hilarious youtube videos on the site. You can interact with Cherry and Cottonelle by using the hashtag #LetsTalkBums
Thanks to Cottonelle for sponsoring today’s discussion
ha! Fun post… I hear WIPE ME!!! screamed from the bathroom every day.. my oldest is independent… but the three year old could use this lesson!!
Thanks for sharing this info. I was wondering at what age and what tips I should teach my son about wiping himself. The peanut butter demonstration was quite helpful.
I never thought about making it an activity to get the to wipe something and see how well they do. Also having a reward for doing it well is a great idea.
This is something we struggle with too! Our only is going to Kindergarten in the fall too, and I keep asking everyone, “how do you teach them to wipe their bum?” and no one has answers!! You’ve given some great tips 🙂 Thank You
Okay…not the thing I still have to worry about, thank goodness. But I do have a niece that is getting ready to go through this and I think the peanut butter idea is awesome. I wish they had wipes when my son was little, it would have things a lot easier! Great tips m’dear…not ifs and or butts about it! 🙂
This is great! Thank you so much! I have a six year old autistic son who is pretty much potty trained. Anyone who has an autistic child knows this is a feat in it’s self! Wiping is a whole different ballgame! He can’t move into an integrated classroom at school until he masters this so I have been reading everything I can get my hands on about the subject of wiping one’s butt 😉 So far your tips are the ONLY ones that have been helpful! I have never thought about the peanut butter. I think I may actually try Neutella, looks more like real poop!
Fanny Wipes or Etiquette is a new product that allows you to use a spray a moisturizer onto your TP. This is cost effective and great for clean pipes so you won’t have backed up toilets. The environment thanks you too!
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