Natalie will be 4 in a couple of months. She's been potty trained since age 2. Over the last 3-4 mths., I've really been encouraging her to wipe herself after BM's, with zero assistance from me. More and more, she's complaining shortly after, I check her, find some yuck, and end up cleaning her out anyway.

Am I asking her to be too independent on this? When did you stop checking bottoms, or expect it to be independent? I'm thinking now I maybe have pushed this too soon. If she poops at school, of course she has to take of it herself there, but in general if I'm around, she I just always do it?

By Kate on Tuesday, April 15, 2008 - 11:07 pm:

Yep, I'd say you're asking too much of her right now. Her arms may not even be long enough to do a proper job of it. My girls were over age six.... School isn't such a big issue until full day. Preschool is a few hours a few days a week so most times that won't even happen at school. Then if you have half day K it still won't happen much at school.

By Trina~moderator on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 06:54 am:

Ditto Kate. At 6 or so.

By Amecmom on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 07:51 am:

Had to teach my son at 4 1/2 so he'd be ready for K at 5. My suggestion is get her to wipe a few times and then use a kids' wet wipe - like a Huggies Clean Team. Then, you check when she's done. This way she's not living with yuck and you are still teaching her to be independent.
You don't want her to get so used to being wiped that she develops an aversion to wiping herself.
Good luck.
Ame

By Dana on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 08:04 am:

My DD learned because she had to in Kindergarten. I sent her to school with wet wipes in a baggie. Each class had their own bathroom, so she was able to have a place to keep the wipes in the bathroom. DD was very embarassed about having the wipes so the teacher made it very easy to put them in an unnoticable area inside the bathroom so no one would ever know she used them. Flushable wipes are a great thing while learning to clean themselves.

By Enchens on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 01:55 pm:

I'm teaching ds now to wipe. His kinder will be all day next year. Oh, and we use wet flushable wipes. I showed him how hold the wipe, lean over, etc. I watched him a couple of times and then checked him. Now, I let him do it and come check. He's tried it all on his own before but complained later about some itchiness. I'm hoping that as we continue, he'll be ready for school come August. I personally think he's too young to be able to wipe well on his own.

Dana, thanks for sharing. I'm now considering sending ds to kinder with some wipes in a baggie as well.

By Reds9298 on Wednesday, April 16, 2008 - 02:40 pm:

We've just saved the flush wipes for me doing the "check" up 'til now. Maybe we will start using those all the time, her doing it, and then checking right after. I think I have been asking too much of her. Thanks ladies!

By Breann on Tuesday, April 22, 2008 - 01:33 pm:

I would have her use the flushable wipes. My kids used them until kindergarten. I had my kids start wiping themselves around age 4-5, so that they would be independent with that "job" before they went to kindergarten. I didn't want them to panic at school because they pooped and I wasn't there to help them wipe.
Just make sure that the bottom area gets cleaned well at bathtime in the evenings.