Reaching the Toilet Paper

When at home, give him his own little roll of paper that you keep close to the toilet just for him. Make it special.

Maybe try buying one of those toilet paper stands from linen's and things or Target and put it closer to the toilet for him to reach.

It looks like most responses said either buy a free-standing dispenser or leave the roll on the back of the toilet or somewhere else close. Just a thought that could save a little money: String a piece of thin rope through the toilet paper roll and hang it from the other dispenser. That will allow you to temporarily hang the toilet paper lower, but it won't be loose; fishing a soggy gross roll of toilet paper out of the toilet is NOT FUN. :)

I'm glad the free-standing t.p. holder is working for your little guy! Great advice, everyone. I just wanted to add that if you decide he needs to go the flushable wet-wipe route, you can get these holders for them that hold the box below your regular t.p. I got mine on clearance at Walmart and Amazon does say currently out of stock, but maybe they're still around somewhere. http://www.amazon.com/09604-Kandoo-Wipes-Tub-Holder/dp/B0...

I think the wet wipes that are flushable are much easier. They come in a box that he can hold, or keep nearby. It cleans them better. They have them in the baby isle by the diapers. I think there is a little frog on the container, and you can get a matching pump soap for hand washing afterward.

Maybe you could get a small table or little ornamental stand and place a roll of paper on it close to the toilet. 5 is when they really want to become independant, and I hope this suggestion helps.

I have a friend who has a free standing toilet paper dispenser - could you maybe get one of these that you could put closer to the toilet until he's a little bigger?

Our daughter also could not reach the toilet paper at home and had several accidents trying to get the toilet paper before she got on the toilet. We tried keeping the roll on a step stool next to the toilet, and that worked sometimes, but inevitably someone ended up moving it and sometimes it was not where she needed it. I finally got one of those upright toilet paper holders that stands next to the toilet and it works great. I bought mine at Bed, Bath & Beyond, but I'm pretty sure even Home Depot and Lowe's would have them. Good luck!

I am a new member here, so I pray that I am responding in the correct way. If not, please understand I mean no harm.

Perhaps moving the tissue holder lower on the wall? I work in a preschool, and sometimes we run into this situation; what we do is get a small step stool and move it close to the toilet.
Also, some companies now make toddler flushable personal wipes, perhaps using those might offer more incentive.
Sincerely,
T.

Well I had problems with my son when he was four over pooping in his pants (all the time).
I introduced wipes and he liked them so much that his accidents started to fade away. So now I keep wipe boxes in all the bathrooms and the whole family uses them. Dont spend the extra money on the flushables. We buy the thin off brand and they flush easy, no problems. Good luck. I know how frustrating it can get, especially with a boy.
C.

Congrats on your new family. Could it be his reaction to having to share his mom with a new step-daddy? Even though you are always there for him he may not understand that you'll continue to be there. You mentioned how he can do it at other places fine but at home when your around he says he needs you. Sounds like a little "control over mommy" issue. Basically just a test to see if you will continue to care for him as much as before the new family addition.
I've had a few childrenn in my daycare who did that and much more whenever their moms were in sight, and were perfectly fine doing the same things on ther own when they were'nt.
I suggest some good talks with your 5 year old and let him know that your love for him hasn't changed one bit and then what you expect from him as a 5 year old. He may not be perfect at whatever goal you set, but practice will get him there, sooner than you think. Also, it may help if you ask him to think of some solutions on his own that could help him get the job done. If he can't come up with any then suggest the wipes or moving the paper closer.
Good luck.

I would give him his own roll of tp and let him put it where it's convenient for him to reach. If he takes ownership of it, he'll use it. Really, who gets the tp before they go? I don't..

Buy a toilet paper "stand". They are L shaped (upside down, of course) stands sold in the bath section of any store that sell bath supplies. I got mine at Walmart in both my bathrooms. They are decrotive, can be moved in any spot by even the smallest hands. Your child can move it in front of him before he sits down on the toilet.

Good luck
J.

Why don't you just buy a new toilet paper roll holder and afix it to the wall at a smaller height that he can reach?

What I did for my son was to use tissue paper. it was accessible, portion controlled and soft. it taught him later he only needed a few sheets of TP when he was old enough to grasped the roll.

E., Have you tried flushable wipes? My son also calls for help when he goes #2 and I found theese really help him to wipe well! We use Huggies flushable toddler wipes. They have a pop-up lid that is very user friendly.

Have you considered moving the TP rack to his level? Or getting a paper towel spool (one that sits on the counter), putting a roll of TP on it instead of paper towels, and setting it on the floor where he can reach it?

Maybe he just needs for you to "watch" him wipe a few times for your praise that he is doing a "good job".

Hope this helps, D. B

I just wanted to say "Congratulations" on marrying your college sweetheart. Sounds like a real romantic story is lurking there. Thank God for second chances! :-)

Thanks for being a good mom, too! Good moms make the world go 'round! :-) Best of luck to you and your sweet little family!

S. E

We had smae issue. I have 2 boys 1 girl. Our toilet paper was on the wall behind tolet. When my boys go to the bathroom the only thing on there mind is get to the toilet. Then they remember they needed tolet paper. I was contantly being called to the bathroom.

MY SOLUTION:At Bed bath and beyond they have free standing tolet paper holders (comes in all differnt styles to match your decor)and when guests come you can move it.

I'm not clear on the "not want to get the paper dirty" part of your statement.
Suggest a free standing TP holder that can be placed as close to the toilet as needed for him to reach.
Good luck, best wishes,
K. B

Both my son and my nephew did the same thing when they were that age. However, they took it a step farther; wanted to be wiped. My son felt he never cleaned himself well enough and my nephew thought wiping himself was gross. Anyway, my husband taught our son how to do a good job at it. I bought the toddler wipes and placed them on top of the toilet. For a while he still wanted reassurance but soon he was handling his business all alone. I think similar issues are quite common for boys. I had a co-worker whose son would wait until he got home if he didn't have any wipes. Hope this helps!

it seems all u need to do is move the toilet paper holder down some.

Move your toilet paper closer to your potty?

i put a package of wipes and a whole other roll of t.p. on the back of the toilet for my daughter, and she seems to do fine with that.
good luck!

Put a roll on the back of the toilet?