You get lots of warnings when you are pregnant. Most people will talk to you about baby sleep and about the options to feed your baby. You then get warned about the early toddler years, better known as the terrible twos. We receive so many warnings as parents, but where is the warning about potty training? Why does there both seem to be so much information about potty training and yet also no actually helpful information at all? Perhaps you are very prepared, and your 18-month-old already goes to the bathroom regularly on the toilet. Or perhaps your 3-and-a-half-year-old still wants to wear diapers all the time, and you feel like your 18-month-old may go potty on the toilet before the older one! Potty training is hard. Here are some do’s and don’ts to help you along the way.anna
Do’s:anna
- Do remember you can choose from many different techniques to potty train. oS many books and blogs offer the “right” method to follow, but no one method is perfect for everyone.anna Do recognize your child will probably not be the perfect example that is often highlighted in these books and blogs, and your little one will experience setbacks and accidents.anna
- Do keep an open mind. Toddlers are notorious for loving something one minute only to change their minds minutes later and say they absolutely hate that same thing. Using the toilet will be the exact same thing. On the first day of potty training, my son peed 17 times on the pottyannachair. I wish I was kidding because I had such high hopes after day one. By day two, the excitement had worn off, and he had zero interest in the potty chair or the toilet. As with everything, kids will find their way and go at their own pace.anna
- Do your best to relax. Has your child ever asked you for something, like a cookie at bedtime, over and over and over even though she will never get that cookie at bedtime? Relax about asking your child to go potty over and over and over. Do focus on making sure your youngster is drinking plenty of water so she actually needs to go potty frequently. The more liquid kids drink, the more opportunities they will have to go potty in the toilet.anna
- Do enlist additional help. Maybe a well-meaning grandparent, babysitter or daycare staff member who gives some prompting will do the trick.anna
- Do encourage your child to come into the bathroom with you. You can then talk about what is happening as you go. Sometimes fear of the unknown can create a stop in the process.anna
- Do encourage role-playing for children. Perhaps a favorite stuffed animal needs to go potty every few hours, as well!anna
Don’ts:anna
- Don’t make your whole world about your child’s going to the bathroom. Yes, make sure he goes before you leave home and, yes, make sure he knows where the bathroom is when you get someplace new. Don’t stay home for three months straight because you want to make sure your child can use the bathroom all the time.anna
- Don’t get mad at your child.anna This is a hard one, but who really wants to be forced to pull down her pants and sit somewhere that might seem scary and then be told to perform on cue?anna Not me either!anna Give your child and yourself a break from the yelling and figure out a different form of motivation.anna
- Don’t be afraid to use a diaper when needed when you are just starting out. For example, perhaps you are going to a wedding or on a longer car ride. Give yourself a little break and explain to your child why he is wearing one for this special time only and that the diaper will go away after the planned event.annaIf you do this, remember to tell your child you know he won’t need to use the diaper though.anna
- Don’t feel weird about using your backyard to your advantage. Have your child wear a longer shirt, add some extra sunscreen and let the accidents happen outside.
- Don’t forget to get creative. Maybe your child has not caught onto using the potty chair or the big toilet yet. Maybe he will go potty in a cup instead. Focus on small wins to get to the bigger goal.
- Do not feel like a failure because your child does not want to go potty in the toilet. It will happen. Some children walk later or talk later, and some children will potty train later. I didn’t know a single person in college who wore a diaper!anna
Janelle Cumro-Sultzer lives in Manhattan, KS, with her husband, two children and two dogs. Janelle loves to focus on learning through play and getting messy with crafts.
As always, please consult your health care provider with any questions or concerns.