Potty Training Trials: Steps to Make it Easier on You Both
If you have a young child getting ready to potty train, you might be gearing up for a battle. And if you ask neighbors or other family members who have potty-trained their children about their experiences, you’ll probably hear all of the worst-case scenarios. But don’t worry too much, here are a few tips to make your potty training trials a little easier.
Bribe
There’s nothing wrong with a good, healthy bribe or reward. First of all, every time your child goes potty in the toilet, shower him with praise and attention. Make sure the whole family knows their accomplishment. If you’d like, you can then offer him stickers, an M&M, or other treats as an added incentive to use the big-kid potty.
Potty Training Sessions
It will be stressful for both you and your child if you’re focused on potty training 100% all the time. Rushing them to the potty every 20 minutes will get old and irritating. Try focusing your efforts on potty-training sessions lasting a few hours at a time. Every 15 or 20 minutes for two hours, take him to the bathroom. At the end of the session, put him back in a pull-up and don’t stress about it. After a few days of this, try going for a whole day—it will be much less stressful if they’re already anticipating it.
Be Patient
Always be patient. Your child will get the hang of going on the toilet, even if it takes a while, or they start later than you think they should. Don’t worry that it won’t happen—just keep working at it. Every child is different, and needs different incentives and methods.
Invite Curiosity
Pique your child’s interest in being potty trained by explaining where the water goes when it flushes. Just be careful that you don’t get them too interested in flushing other thing like toys or wads of toilet paper—you don’t want to have to call a plumber! If you do run into trouble, plumbing services in Richmond like CampbellCare Plumbing, Heating & Air will be more than willing to come out and help.
Switch to Pull-ups
Wearing pull-ups will help your child feel more like a grown-up. They will be able to pull them down like underwear, but they’ll be easy to dispose of when those inevitable accidents occur.
Choose the Right Clothing
In the early potty training days, dress your child in clothing that is easy to remove. You don’t want to be struggling with buttons, clasps, or zippers when your child is doing the potty dance! Dress them in pants with elastic waists or put your daughter in dresses. You might also try letting your child roam free without any pants or underwear on at all. They will be much more aware of when they have to use the bathroom if they aren’t wearing a diaper or pull-ups. Make sure they play in a room with a washable floor or a private yard, of course, and keep a potty close.
Do Not Criticize
Most importantly, never criticize your child when he or she has an accident. It will only frustrate them, and you might discourage them from even trying. Don’t nag them, and don’t expect too much too quickly. Be gentle and patient, both with them and yourself.
Potty training isn’t easy, but it doesn’t have to be stressful. Take it slow, and don’t let setbacks discourage you. Before you know it, your child will be potty trained.
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