Potty training a child is one of the most exciting milestones of a young parent's life. I have potty trained three children, both boys and girls and they have all potty trained in different ways. Each child has their own unique personality and learning style so it was interesting to me as a Mom to watch them all pass through this milestone in their development.
As you begin to think about potty training your child, the first thing to remember is, don't get stressed out. They will not be wearing diapers to kindergarten. With that being said, here a re a few practical tips that will get you and your child started on the right foot.
Step 1 - Don't wait too long. Get them used to the idea of the "potty" early. Keep a small potty on the floor in the bathroom that they can sit on before and after baths or whenever you are using the bathroom. They may be completely clothed, but the simple act of sitting down on the potty gets them used to the idea early on. Our first child was not comfortable at first sitting up high on the traditional potty, so the small stable seat on the ground gave him the security he required. They will be observing your own bathroom habits as well. You will notice their curiosity kick in quit young. I think our first was saying "potty" at 1 although he didn't begin training until his 2nd birthday.
Step 2 - Your child is smart. Don't underestimate what your child can comprehend. They are learning new skills and new words and an astonishing rate. They are able to understand the concept. They may not have the muscle control for some time, but they have the cognitive ability to understand what is happening with the potty. Give them some visual clues. Show them what goes in to the potty and give the opportunity to flush afterwards. At times, I would even put the contents of their "dirty" diaper into the potty to show them where it goes. These are all important clues that are helping their brain assimilate information that will help them be successful in their training.
Step 3 - Stay in Control. We call this "potty training" because they are training for something. They are working on learning a new skill, not waiting until they have the skill perfectly accomplished before the undertake it. Parents and children can get a little lazy or busy and forget what needs to be happening. In our family we set up a little system to help us remember to use the potty. With 3 young children and home schooling, we all get busy and forget the task at hand, so I use the timer method. I would set the timer at different intervals to remind us when to use the potty. That and I would make sure to give them enough water throughout the day to give the opportunity to practice. The first day of training I did about 15 minute intervals to get used to the idea of pulling up and down their pants, getting on the potty and the muscle memory needed to go when needed, as a voluntary response and not an involuntary response. The second day we increased the time and the third day a bit more time was added. We still had accidents, but tons of underwear sitting on the back of the toilet helped us move through the accidents with ease.
Step 4 - Be consistent. Once you have decided to start. Don't stop when it may be hard, or it is taking your child longer than all of the little stories you hear form friends or on the internet. Some kid's potty train in a day, or three days or some take months of reminding and practice just because of their particular makeup. Keep up with the training of skills, like, how to pull their pants on and off, change themselves, wash their hands and get on the potty themselves. You will see that consistency pays off in the end. I would carry a travel potty in the car with me, so that we could quickly use the potty when we were at stores or traveling, so we didn't have to visit a dirty bathroom that was unfamiliar. That helped us stay consistent and flexible at the same time.
Step 5- Give it time Our first child potty trained in a week both 1 and 2, our second child (a girl, potty trained in a day on 1 and then 6 weeks later on 2 and our third child has taken a couple of weeks. This is partly because he is a boy and partly because he is the third. Never the less, they are all well adjusted potty trained kids. I have found the process of potty training, is one of teaching a parent how to be patient and teaching a child how to be independent. Isn't that a metaphor for all of parenting? Most of all, enjoy the process, it won't be long before they are asking for the car keys and these will be found memories you look back and cherish.
Amber Bishop is the co-founder of [http://www.SmartMoms-SmartBusiness.com] and http://www.smartmoms.freeforums.org online resources for work at home moms. She is also the owner of http://www.homeschool-diva.com She stays home and home schools her three children will building a successful home based business.
