Is It Just My Boys? - West Chester,OH

Updated on August 30, 2011
K.B. asks from Beverly Hills, CA
18 answers

Of my four boys, two flush the toilet regularly. One is the oldest (9yrs), so obviously he should be flushing since he is old enough to know better. The second one is 2 yrs and recently potty trained, so its still a novelty to go on the potty and flush afterwards. The other two (4yrs & 5yrs) hardly ever flush!! What is the deal with that?? I am constantly reminding them, but I still always find unflushed toilets! So my question is, do anyone else's boys NEVER flush the toilet, or is it just my boys?!

1 mom found this helpful

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So What Happened?

Glad to see I'm not the only one! I like the sign idea, except for the fact that the two that don't flush can't read yet.. :)

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D.P.

answers from Pittsburgh on

My son is 8, and it's getting more consistent.

The lack of flushing is directly proportional to the fun level of the activity he was doing when he had to stop to go!

4 moms found this helpful

A.D.

answers from Norfolk on

i dont' have any pointers for you since my kids are still little--only one is potty trained and it's still in the novelty phase. But I just wanted to say "You go girl!" for having 4 boys..you are a brave woman! :)

2 moms found this helpful

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K.U.

answers from Detroit on

Can you just put a sign on the wall that says PLEASE FLUSH to remind them? Maybe with a little cartoon picture demonstrating it or something?

3 moms found this helpful
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K.N.

answers from Cleveland on

GAh, my 10 year old never ever ever flushes, but he does put the seat down. Not sure if it's a great trade but at least he doesn't forget to flush AND leave the seat up for his sister to fall in. Totally gonna make a sign, Although may I suggest if it's anywhere near the bowl that you cover it with clear contact paper in case they decide to aim at it, lol.

2 moms found this helpful
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S.C.

answers from Des Moines on

My son is 3 1/2 and I'd be doing a happy dance if he'd just USE the damn toilet reliably!

2 moms found this helpful
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S.H.

answers from Honolulu on

Do they flush the toilet when using the toilet when they are at school and at friend's homes and anywhere else????

Well, by not flushing all the time, they are saving on your water bill!

Put a SIGN up by the toilet!

My son is 5 and he flushes.
My hubby not all the time.

2 moms found this helpful
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J.S.

answers from Minneapolis on

My kids are pretty good.. not 100% but maybe 90%. The boys are 6 and 4, and my daughter is 2.

However, when my brothers kids were here this summer (aged 12, 10 and 6 - girl boy girl) I found unflushed toilets all the time. Drove me nuts.

I'd say it depends on the kid... just keep reminding them.

J.

1 mom found this helpful
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J.R.

answers from Toledo on

For some reason my almost-5-year-old daughter doesn't like to flush either.
Weird.

1 mom found this helpful
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L.L.

answers from Hartford on

My son is almost 9 and always flushes when he pees but will often forget when it's the other. I threatened to take a picture and post it on facebook next time he forgets. So far the threat has worked.

1 mom found this helpful
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D.K.

answers from Pittsburgh on

DH is 5-1/2. He flushes probably 90% of the time. But then we'll have days when he doesn't. He does always wash his hands which seems more important.

1 mom found this helpful
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K.C.

answers from Mansfield on

My 5 year old daughter NEVER flushes. It's seriously starting to drive me nuts lol.

1 mom found this helpful

J.B.

answers from Houston on

My four year old needs constant reminding. He used to NEVER do it, but now after being asked every time he emerges from the restroom if he flushed he is getting better! So no, it's not just your boys and you have more to keep up with! I only have one who is potty trained, so who knows what will happen when they other two are using the toilet as well!

1 mom found this helpful

V.W.

answers from Jacksonville on

UGh. Both our kids have always been pretty reliable about that. One boy, one girl. I don't know why we never had issues...I know plenty of kids who've been here playing or spending the night that didn't flush, though. I don't get that. Do they not think it is gross when they come back and find it later? Or maybe someone else has always found it first?
When I came across that, I would call those two boys into the bathroom and have them flush it. Yes, make them stop whatever else it is they are doing (both of them) and have them both be there to flush it. They will catch on pretty quickly that it is a) gross and b) an inconvenience to have to come back later. And if you are lucky they will start to "police" each other so that they don't get called into the bathroom later for "the other one"s forgotten toilet use.

1 mom found this helpful
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B.C.

answers from Los Angeles on

All of my kids flushed and did so consistanctly. When we potty trained them, mostly my wife, we taught them that they weren't finished going until they flushed. Once the habit is ingrained, they will do it consistantly.

Of course we had an advantage. We gave them a treat when they went went in the toilet and not in their pants/diaper. No flush, no treat.

I know some parents that looked down on us because we gave them treats for doing that. It still works for grandpa. Some of my grandkids won't go for their parents, but all I have to say is "In grandpa's house you get a treat for going to the bathroom." And they instantly change from a whiney, "I don't wanna go" to running back to the bathroom so they can get a treat.

Good luck to you and yours.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.R.

answers from Boston on

ya...hi....my boy is 7 and i dont think he even tries to take aim at the toilet anymore so im just happy when it makes it there lol....

1 mom found this helpful
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S.!.

answers from Los Angeles on

If my son could get away with it, he would! Honestly he would rather go outside and pee on a tree if he could!

My son was so lazy one time that he would have his sister put the toilet seat up and flush for him and put the seat down just so he wouldn't have to wash his hands (B/c in his head... he didn't touch anyhting!)

1 mom found this helpful

V.C.

answers from Dallas on

Yep! Pretty typical.
One of my friends son is off to college for the first time. They live in a rural area. At his graduation party he was roasted pretty good about that kind of thing. He does go outside! They had put up signs in the bathroom to train him for the dorm.

1 mom found this helpful
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A.R.

answers from Dallas on

I blame the stupid auto-flush toilets that were at my kids daycare when they potty trained, lol. Mine are 7 & 9; the 9 yo now flushes almost all the time, but the 7 yo never does and it drives me nuts. I like the sign idea, maybe I'll make one for her bathroom.

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