Potty training can be the most difficult and stressful time for parents and children alike.
- The first step in potty training is knowing when your child is ready. Forget about the average age the child should be potty trained or that your neighbor’s child is already trained or pressure from friends and family. Every child develops differently and as parents we should never force or pressure our children to learn if they are not ready. Potty training should be a pleasurable experience for both you and your child.
- Does your toddler have the required verbal understanding? Can they listen and follow simple instructions? Are they showing signs of independence (ie wanting to pull up their own pants or getting dressed by themselves)?
- Go shopping for potties better yet take your toddler with you so they can pick their own potty and stir up the excitement for wanting to use the potty. Always be excited every step of the way. If they see you are happy then they will want to keep that momentum going and make you happy.
- Buy 2 or 3 potties (if you can) so you can have several in the house and close distance to you when you need it.
- Get rid of the diapers and buy underpants and let them pick their own (maybe with their favorite character). Try not to go back to the diapers despite the accidents (maybe just at night and let them know that it is only for a little while).
- Give your toddler PLENTY of liquids so they will use the potty more often and it will also give them lots of practice.
- Reward them for their success. Buy a wall chart and give them a sticker to put on recognizing their reward and progress.
- Read potty training books with them we recommend our personalized Elmo Bye Bye Diapers book (pictured above). What better way to learn than reading a personalized book with Elmo starring them as the star in the story. Not only will they love the book they will listen to what Elmo has to say about them in their very own personalized potty training book. This is a charming story featuring the classic Sesame Street gang.
- Finally ask them if they need to use the potty. If they say no it’s okay, with all the drinks they will soon need to go. We recommend taking them to the potty in short intervals during the day and let them sit for 2 or 3 minutes. Eventually they will go.
- Don’t give up or don’t get frustrated if they have an accident. Never let them see you get upset or angry. It’s okay and let them know they will do better next time. It’s not what you say but how you say it that is very important when teaching toddlers any skill.
