Is Your Child Ready for Potty Training?
Although it might sound somewhat scary, every mom goes through
it, and it doesn’t have to be hard. It’s potty
training, and if your kid is between 18 months and 2 1/2 years,
you’re probably thinking one thing: How can I get
started?
While it’s true that some
children take to potty training pretty easily, others might need a
little extra care and attention. Relax, take a deep breath, and follow
these instructions. You’ll be congratulating your child on a
job well done in no time.
Pick the right time to start
There’s
no point trying to potty train your child before he’s ready
(and you’re ready, too!). The process just won’t
work. When it comes to your own patience, if you’re in the
middle of anything stressful, like a move or a remodel, consider waiting
until you can devote your full attention to the task at hand.
Fortunately,
the signs that your child is ready to use the toilet are actually
pretty obvious, if you’re looking for them.
For
starters, a kid who is ready for potty training must be able to follow
instructions. Try starting him off slowly, by having him practice
pulling his underwear or diaper on and off. Next, move to more
challenging tasks, like coordinating the idea of taking his diaper off
with sitting on the toilet.
Your child may
also start telling you when he needs to go —
especially if you’ve been demonstrating and explaining the
proper way to use the toilet (which is a great idea). He may even start
attempting to use the toilet on his own, at which point he should be
highly praised.
Involve your child in the process
Although it will be necessary for you to research the
best equipment (potty chair, adapter seat, etc.) for your child to use
during his training, involving him in the decision-making process is an
easy way to get him excited about potty training.
Once
you’ve determined which equipment is right for him, allow
your child to pick from a number of different colors and designs.
He’ll like being involved and knowing that the potty chair is
just for him.
Don’t
get discouraged As with most things
regarding kids, patience is key. Keep in mind that girls tend to catch
on to potty training a bit faster than boys, and it can sometimes take
several months for them to catch on and be able to go on their own. Try
to keep your cool (and infuse a little humor when possible), and
you’ll be just fine.
Expect
setbacks. It’s perfectly normal for your child to have a few
on his way to potty-training perfection, and how you handle those
setbacks will be key. Never get angry or punish your child for an
accident. Instead, be positive and explain that accidents happen. Then
remind him that the next time he feels the need to go, he should try to
remember to use his fun new potty instead.
Remember — slow and
steady wins the toddler potty-training race. Try to embrace these days,
and keep in mind that you’ll only have to potty train your
kid once. It will be soon be a distant memory.