Whether you have a toddler trying their hand at using the potty or a lazy teenager who just can’t quite keep it inside the toilet, getting your child to aim properly when using the toilet can be a bit of a nightmare. Things can get messy all too quickly, and what’s worse than having to wipe up pee – especially when it’s not your own?
Never fear, there are quite a few methods to help you teach little (and not so little) ones how to aim in the toilet and give your kids a lesson in toilet etiquette. From toilet targets to rewards, your days of begging your little ones to please aim for the toilet will soon be a thing of the past.
Ways to improve their aim
When boys graduate to the toilet and start to stand up instead of sitting down, one thing they need to be taught is how to aim. Oddly, many teenage boys don’t seem to have learned this skill, so they can sit in on this lesson too.
Toilet training aiming balls
Designed to bring fun to toilet time, while teaching little ones how to aim properly, toilet training balls stick to the toilet of the toilet and are used like targets. You can get versions that float on top of the water, too. Go for toilet training aim balls that are eco-friendly, biodegradable and won’t damage your septic tank.
Toilet training aiming stickers
Available in fun colours and designs, toilet training stickers are similar to the training balls in how they’re used. However, they’re reusable and should last a few flushes. Make sure you use protective gloves and then pop them deep inside the toilet, so no pee splashes up.
Reward tactics
Younger kids often learn best when a reward is involved, giving them an incentive to do what they’re being asked and providing positive reinforcement. Consider using a star chart reward system, giving them a gold star every time they pee in the toilet correctly. When they collect enough stars, give them a reward – this could be anything from a toy to a day out as a family or a treat you know they enjoy.
Let them sit down
You may be in a hurry to get your little one using a standard toilet, but they might not be quite ready to stand up. The solution? Let them sit down instead. This offers the best of both worlds - your little one will start learning how to use the toilet at their own pace, and you won’t have to clean up after them. Get a stool to help them climb up on to the toilet and use a seat adjuster to help them sit down without slipping or falling.
Make them responsible for cleaning up
Got a teenager who always seems to leave a mess? The above methods for teaching your child how to aim in the toilet properly may not be suitable for tweens and teens, but you can still make them responsible for cleaning up their own mess. This will be a big deterrent, making them more aware of their toilet habits.
Discover more positive toilet habits in our Parenting Advice hub
