Put a group of mums in a room and ask them how they go about potty training their children and you’ll likely get almost as many different answers as there are mums present. Why is that? It’s because there’s more than one way to get to ‘the land of no diapers.’
I have four children — all of whom have their own distinct personalities and were potty trained in the same way, but with a few tweaks here and there to suit each one’s personality. My son, Zach loved to race his trucks and wanted to be the winner. Seeing this winners-spirit in him, I used it to encourage him to ‘win’ prizes for staying dry. By the time he was 28 months he was diaper-free and had very few accidents.
Read more to find out about tried and tested methods for potty training!
Know Your Child And The Potty Training Method That Would Suit Them
You know what they say about trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, well, the same holds true for your kids. Knowing how to appeal to their sense of accomplishment is where it’s at when it comes to motivating them to learn to go on the big potty and start potty training.
The Experts On Potty Training
The experts we are dealing with are mums just like you, who have been where you are. They understand that each child is different, and what works for one child may not work for another.
Image source: iStock
They understand that some children like my daughter Boo, tell their parents they are ready to go on the big potty at 16 months of age. Yet, they also understand that there are 2 year olds like Nathanael who tell their mothers, “I like wearing diapers just fine.”
Here are a few expert tips that have worked for other mums when it comes to potty training:
- Don’t be embarrassed to allow your toddler to see you use the bathroom. You hopefully don’t leave them waiting outside the door in public restrooms, so making it a natural thing will encourage your child to use the ‘big potty.’
- Go slow. Don’t wake up one day with the idea of succeeding in potty training. Start out by sitting them on the toilet to do their hair or put their clothes on after a bath. Set them on the toilet before they get into the tub, after a nap and before bedtime to see if they can go potty. If not, no big deal. Just tell them, ‘maybe next time.’
- Be observant. Do they have a bowel movement shortly after breakfast every morning? If so, then that would be the time to set them on the potty. The same applies for drinking, wait 15 to 30 minutes and set them on the potty.
- Be patient and calm. If a child is scratched by a cat or bitten by a dog, they are naturally going to be afraid of all dogs and cats until they learn to differentiate between friendly and not so friendly animals. If you yell, force or take a negative attitude, they’re going to view the potty as their enemy.
- Be persistent but not pushy.
Image source: iStock
Don’t Worry About Potty Training Timelines
While I will never be convinced a child needs to wait until they are 3 (or even older) to begin the process of potty training, it is also unreasonable and unfair to put an expiration date on a toddler’s potty training. No two children are alike. Some need a bit more patience and coercion than others. But don’t worry, how many children in kindergarten do you know who are still wearing diapers?
Tell us if these potty training tips were helpful to you!
Check Out This Video On Elmo’s Potty Training:
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