Flushing the toliet (Boys)

Michele - posted on 01/10/2009

As I was trying to nap today I heard my husband creating a ruckus...our 12 yr old hadn't flushed again.....I guess my son said something (I guess he heard me say it) to the effect that alot of kids forget to flush to which my husband replied that he was going to ask his friends at church if they forget to flush....now that will go down well with the other parents I'm sure....other  than making the big sign reminding to: Flush,  Put lid down and wash...I don't know what to do.

Amy - posted on 01/10/2009

My boys put the lid down, now if only ANY of my 4 kids (2 of each) would remember to FLUSH on a consistent basis. I blame it on not having a flush toilet for a while, but for 3 1/2 years now we have. Also the 2 youngest weren't born or weren't potty trained when we had a non-flush toliet, so they have no excuse!! One day...oh but might I add they all hate going to the bathroom when it isn't flushed. The irony is lost on them 

Carly - posted on 01/09/2009

They're conserving water for their future...I'd be rewarding them for that alone!
3 and 4 yr old boys don't flush, they pee on the seat and they don't always remember to wash their hands. They'll learn one day but for now you'll have to do what millions of other mothers of boys do every single day...
Look and wipe before we sit on the toilet!

Jessica - posted on 01/08/2009

Erica,
I have two boys, 4 and 6. Like one of the other mom's my husband is very conscientious about bathroom habits and I think my boys have witnessed that. However, my youngest is the one I have had issues with. He stopped washing his hands for a while, so I made sure we went in with him every time and washed hands together. Losing his independence was an annoyance so he started washing again...until he decided to ask why he has to wash his hands. After explaining that he gets germs from the toilet, gets dirty touching his penis, etc, he decided to stop putting the seat down and stop 'guiding his aim' in an attempt to not have to wash his hands any longer! It didn't work, I followed him in that much more and he quickly followed the rules. I would tell them, "If you can't do it right, then I will help you remember how." But with 7 bathrooms...good luck knowing they are going to the bathroom or even making it there in time!

Brook - posted on 01/08/2009

fish crackers...make a game out of it. put small cup of fish crakers on the back of toilet, to play the game they have to lift lid..throw one fish in...aim and drown...flush it down..then when they wash thier hands they can eat the rest of crackers left in cup.Good luck. Remember there are grown men that stll don't "shut" the lid.LOL

Paulette - posted on 01/08/2009

Hey Erica, What is a Cricut? And...7 bathrooms...whoa! You have a lot of bathrooms that need a cleaning. lol

Erica - posted on 01/08/2009

Colleen that is a great idea too!! I have got to do something!! It just drive me crazy when I need to use the bathroom and their is either something in the toliet or their is pee on the seat! UGG!!! THanks every body for your replys!!!

Colleen - posted on 01/08/2009

I also have 3 boys. Twins that are 5 and the oldest will be 8 in a few days.... I say count your blessings.  Washing their hands is a bigger issue.  However, when one of the other boys goes to sit after and gets a wet behind... it could get a bit crazy.  Try a reward system like you did to get them to go on the potty... i did a chart... i one of the boys didnt flush and and another one found it they got + stars and the one who left it got a star taken away.  After a pre-determined # of stars, they get a reward, it caught on quick. NO ONE wanted starts taken away.

Christine - posted on 01/08/2009

Erica, I have two boys, 5 and 7, and thankfully, their father is very conscientious about this. We have found that they respond very well to charts...we use them for their few chores, for individual responsibilities (i.e getting ready for school and bed) and the bathroom with MUCH success. Good luck!

Erica - posted on 01/07/2009

What a great suggestion regarding the chart! I think that I can come up with something like that! The only problem is that I have 7 bathrooms!! I can go ahead set them up in their rooms and maybe in the powder room! Those are the two they use the nost. I think that will get their attention & With me a my new love for my Cricut! I think I will be able create pretty quickly!! THANKS!!

Paulette - posted on 01/07/2009

Hi Erica,  I would create a picture chart for them showing them the steps required when going to the bathroom. You can use velcro to stick them on (so later you can use the chart for other things) and while they are learning the steps they can peel off the step(s) as they go along. You can find pictures online or use a digital camera....a light switch (2 needed), a toilet seat (2), a bar of soap (1), a digital picture of the handle (for flushing), towel pic for drying (1). Arrange light switch (on), toilet seat (up), Word Potty( or how you would put it), toilet seat (down), bar of soap (wash hands), towel pic (dry), light switch (off). Simplicity with it is best. I hope this has helped. Take care.

Michele - posted on 01/07/2009

My husband still doesn't put the seat down...so good luck with that one.  Also, my 12 yr old forgets to flush....we have told him and told him to no avail...I am thinking of putting a BIG sign on wall....Seat down,  Flush, Wash your  hands....Thank You!!     LOL.      Caroline...you may just want to put antibacterial hand gel in your washroom along with your regular hand soap for cleansing hands.  As for not flushing when its yellow...I  wouldn't  have a problem with that so much as the other. 

Caroline - posted on 01/07/2009

Hi Erica,

Some people might not like this, but with strict water restrictions here in Melbourne Australia, my family has implemented the saying:

"If it's yellow let it mellow, if it's brown flush it down".

My 7 year old loves the rhyme of that and mostly gets it right.

Good luck with putting the lid or seat down, i still haven't got that sorted, but as to hand washing - i got a pump bottle and let him decorate it with stickers etc and then put hand wash in it. It became a game that he could use "his" soap to wash his hands after toilet....

Good luck!!!!