Potty training is a wonderful, bittersweet snapshot of growing up – a memorable rite of passage. However, all too often parents dread the process, particularly after listening to well-meaning friends and relatives openly share their own “horror” stories.
Well, I’m here to tell you that potty training has gotten an undeserved bad rap and it’s time we learned to celebrate the process, not dread it. Just think, your child is about to experience newfound freedom and you’re closer to a diaper-free household! What’s not to like?
Having said this, you might still be uncertain about many things, such as when to begin potty training, which methodology to use, and the like. If so, you’re not alone. Successful potty training is definitely a learned skill – not an instinct.
So, following are five very general “potty tips” – ones that will get you pointed in the right direction.
1. Normal, healthy toddlers between the ages of 18 and 27 months should be physically ready for potty training, even though some – especially girls – may be ready as early as 16 months. The American Academy of Pediatrics supports this and states that the vast majority of children have fully mature sphincter muscles (needed for elimination) between 12 and 24 months, with 18 months as a good average.
When toddlers are physically ready they may… * Squat, grunt, or display other signs of awareness when he/she is having a bowel movement
* Tug at his/her diaper when urinating
* Stay dry for longer periods and/or throughout the night (you may notice that they stop having bowel movements first)
* Have more regular bowel movements
* Urinate a lot at one time (but less frequently)
2. Although physical signs are important, experts also agree that developmental signals (motor, social, cognitive, and emotional skills) are far better predictors than chronological age. (NOTE: Consult with your pediatrician if your child has physical, mental or emotional challenges, which might affect this process.)
3. If you’d like to potty train your child quickly, be sure to get a trustworthy, solid accelerated plan. You’ll find all kinds of “potty-train-your-child-in-a-day” plans on the Internet. Some will promise you instant results with very little work. Don’t believe them. The truth is this – your ability to potty train your toddler in a day or two, entirely depends on your preparation, consistency, focus, and follow-through. Any reliable potty training method requires that parents devote their full attention to the process. Period. Also, be sure that the system you choose is supported in practice and theory by pediatricians, child therapists, and other respected experts.
Your potty training method should:
* Offer guidelines for assessing your child’s potty training readiness
* Combine positive behavioral modifiers with supportive and nurturing techniques (e.g. no punishment for accidents)
* Insist on one teacher (usually a parent) who will take on the bulk of the training
* Provide detailed, step-by-step instructions and supplies list
* Require that teachers devote full attention to the training during the specified period of time
* Discourage the use of pull-ups and/or diapers during the potty training process.
4. Yes, you’ll need a potty chair, but successful potty training is not dependent on “fancy” or expensive equipment. I strongly recommend that parents use a potty chair – not adult toilet – during training. However, your potty chair doesn’t have to be elaborate or pricey, it just needs to look like a smaller version of a toilet. If you must use the toilet, it’s best to purchase a seat reducer (smaller plastic seat that fits over a toiled to reduce the size of the opening) and a small step stool for your little one.
5. Regardless of what method you choose, do not let your child sit on the potty (or toilet) for more than a minute or two, unless something is happening. In my opinion, this is one of the biggest mistakes parents unknowingly make and one of the best potty tips I can offer. If he or she is slow to get moving, run water. The sound should help. If not, take your tot off of the potty and if he or she starts to go on the floor, place your child back on the potty to finish.
I hope you’ve found these high level potty tips helpful. I wish you successful – and joyful – potty training!
Mary E. Eule, BA, MS is a professional writer and researcher who has spent the last three decades helping parents potty train their children in 48 hours or less. She is the developer of the BRIEFS potty training system and author of the e-book, “The Official BRIEFS Potty Training Guide.” Visit her website: http://www.AskThePottyTrainer.com to purchase her e-book, download her free potty e-course or to get more free potty tips.
Article Source: Five of the Best “Getting Started” Potty Tips
