I want to say both kids wiped on their own immediately but obviously didn’t do a good job before age 4. I was checking after each trip until that age. By 5 they were independently doing it themselves. So somewhere between 4 and 5 they became proficient. I remember it being a big thing I wanted them to master before starting K since no one would be there to help them.
DS was managing pretty well on his own before he entered kindergarten. But... he has major GI issues and still needs assistance on occasion at age 8. Especially if he's recently had a scope, med change, or it's in the middle of summer when symptoms act up.
We've recently started using Preparation H wipes with him and they've offered a lot of relief. (Sharing in case anyone else has bottom irritation issues from GI upset.)
I wasn't referring to kids with disabilities - good grief. The podcast Nurture vs Nurture just talked about this. How helicopter parents wipe kids butts for way too long because they don't trust them enough to learn on their own. Wiping an 8 year old's butt who has no developmental or emotional issues is nuts.
Well, he CAN and will if it’s an emergency, but is very particular about hygiene and prefers I do it. We use baby wipes still (into the trash) and takes like 10 seconds every other day. Honestly, it’s probably the least annoying thing I have to do for him still.