Ah, potty training! Go to a local bookseller and you will find dozens of books on the subject. Search the Net and there are thousands of websites with information on how to do it stress free. There are even people who are capitalizing on a parent's frustration with potty training by offering to do it for you, for a hefty sum! I honestly can't imagine anything more unseemly than paying someone to teach my child to "go".
Ewwww!!!
I have successfully potty trained two out of 3 kids so far, baby number 3 is only 14 months so she is off the hook for a few months at least ;)
I seem to be the envy of the playgroups when other Moms see that my 3 year old son has been in whitey tighties for over a year. My oldest was also 2 when he potty learned.
For me, potty training starts with a newborn. Now don't get me wrong...I do diaper my babes (unlike the native African mothers who wear their babies on their backs and who, to avoid being soiled on, learn to read their babies' cues so well that they know when their newborn needs to be held over a bush...no, I'm not kidding!) but I have always used cloth diapers, which encourages babies to train early. I'm not a longhaired, barefoot, off-the-grid hippie (not that there's anything wrong with that, but you're more likely to find me in Doc Martens than Birkenstocks!) but I have been cloth diapering since the beginning.
It has saved me hundreds and hundreds of dollars, but I also like the fact that my babies begin to make the association with the uncomfortable wet feeling and the knowledge that they can prevent it. Most babies will wake up dry in the morning at several months of age, demonstrating that they are physically able to "hold it". In my opinion, Pull Ups are evil and yet another invention that some clever businessman came up with that parents now think is a necessity. Along with formula, baby swings, and the like. Pull Ups just enable a 5 year old to keep soiling himself. Research has shown that cloth diapered babies potty learn several months earlier than disposable diapered babies.
So here's Grandma's recipe (and I do owe it to my Mother, like most of the good stuff I know about parenting) for easy potty training, even if you choose not to cloth diaper.
Let your baby come into the bathroom when you go. That way, they know what's going on in there. You don't have to get graphic, just talk to them about what toilets are for. If you are a woman at home all day with boy children, encourage Daddy to show 'em how it's done. You don't want them thinking that if they go on the toilet their equipment will fall off, like Mum's obviously did. Strange, but true...some tots will come to this conclusion.
Buy 3 or 4 of those cheap little molded plastic potties and put them around the house. At least, one in each bathroom and one in the kitchen or the room where you spend the most time with your child. Stick a towel underneath for the sake of your carpet if said child is a boy. Speaking of boys...you can take advantage of nature here by keeping an open mind. I know at least one boy who was trained when his Mom let him go off the side of the deck.
The summer that your child is closest to two, take two days and don't leave the house. Let your child run around naked from the waist down, with a big tee shirt on top so that private parts stay private.
Every 10 minutes, place the child matter-of-factly on the pot. DO NOT ASK insane questions like "Do you need to go potty sweetie pie!?" We are talking about dealing with a two year old here! Just do it like it's the thing to do, and don't ask permission. Don't force it, and if he/she wants to get up right away, let him or her. If you have a resistant child, set a timer to go off every 10 minutes. It's amazing what a child will do when the power dynamic is taken away. When the "potty timer" goes off, it's time to sit on the pot!
Use praise but don't go overboard. Act like this is the expected thing. Be cool. Say "You put peepee in the potty, just like Mommy and Daddy (and big brother, and your older play group friend...3rd parties are gold here!!) do.
Don't make a big deal out of what's happening. Don't spend hours reading potty training books or videos to the child. Again, be cool. If you make it into a big deal, your child will be more likely to dig in and resist.
Have some "big boy shorts" or "big girl panties" that you know your child will like, perhaps that you have picked out together, ready for the end of the two days. Your child will be less likely to have accidents if s/he is going to mess up their new undies.
When the inevitible accidents happen, don't scold. Be patient and gracious. This is part of the job. Remember that even if you decide to spring for carpet cleaning, you will still come out ahead if you don't have to buy diapers for another year or two!
About The Author
Carrie Lauth is a work from home Mom of 3, a homebirth advocate, breastfeeding counselor and homeschooler. In her free time she enjoys a good book and anything involving espresso.
Chicago limo Skokie ..There are many useful jogger stroller accessories out on the... Read More
Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More
Children think money grows on trees. Maybe not literally, but... Read More
Mary, Mary, quite contrary, How does your garden grow? With... Read More
Drivers 16 years of age have little driving experience, putting... Read More
Many research studies have shown the overall effectiveness of stimulant... Read More
So you're going to become a father. Now is not... Read More
What would it be like to have a clone? What... Read More
In June, elementary school children across North America cheered as... Read More
The ADD child exhibits a series of behaviors that are... Read More
She slipped her small, soft eight-year-old hand into mine. Her... Read More
Here in Kansas, where we live, the leaves are turning... Read More
It's been said, time and again, that for a child... Read More
Just a couple of years ago Annie helped her parents... Read More
Many people still think that the game of chess is... Read More
Is there anything wrong with lying, cheating, stealing, shop-lifting, taking... Read More
Here is an easy, inexpensive and fun kid experiment for... Read More
From criticizing a spouse, to claming up about one's own... Read More
I thought I was the only one in the world... Read More
Q. My daughter is a junior in high school and... Read More
If you are a member of a stepfamily, you know... Read More
Why are more people, especially parents not outraged?I call it... Read More
Being in a competitive world, the lowest qualification to secure... Read More
If your child or teen has been diagnosed with Attention... Read More
"It takes a village to raise a child" is more... Read More
limo O'Hare Bonfield ..As our children grow, they will be going to schools... Read More
1. You reheated the same cup of coffee three times... Read More
Boredom, limited space and overflowing energy are a source of... Read More
Researched through personal experience!Budget Your Money. Even if you are... Read More
It's that time again! Parent-teacher conferences are coming. Are you... Read More
Mealtimes together deserve an important place in any family. Around... Read More
Recently, a much-anticipated game of mini-golf with my children soon... Read More
Young people generally want to fit in to their various... Read More
Dear friends here we will charge up our mind with... Read More
The least flexible character in all of the stories of... Read More
Some years ago when touring the Scottish Highlands, a man... Read More
We all wish that our children should not smoke or... Read More
As parents, we love our children and want to do... Read More
When you talk about multiply your child's intelligence, you can't... Read More
How should one look upon Attention Deficit Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD)... Read More
Handing Down Malignancy.Children may begin bright and eager to face... Read More
It is extraordinary times that we find ourselves in. Change... Read More
You no longer have to use Ritalin or other stimulants... Read More
"Walk through any toy store and you will see walls... Read More
For any of you Moms out there that are doing... Read More
There is nothing quite like hiking with small children. The... Read More
Dexedrine is not prescribed very often for the treatment of... Read More
School authorities often complain that classes are too large. They... Read More
Choosing a baby name is an important job, so make... Read More
Compulsory attendance laws are school authorities' first assault on parental... Read More
Parenting |