Are you one of those parents who’ve attempted toilet training so many times, and have failed? You are not alone. Who doesn’t get excited at the idea of ditching those diapers? Many parents struggle with potty training their children and it is not surprising to hear a parent exclaim ‘I had no idea toilet training would be this hard argh!’
For many parents, potty training isn’t smooth sailing. Not with your child opting to wear the potty on their head instead of sitting on it.
Again, nobody prepares you for the headache that is toilet training. It will not take a day, and as much as you’d want to be done with cleaning up your child’s mess, it might take a while.
Truth be told, potty training can be a huge mess. You’ve got to time it right to achieve any success!
Toilet training is a huge milestone that many parents look forward to. Unfortunately, many parents are not sure when to start potty training.
According to experts, potty training does not go with age. It mainly depends on the individual child’s physical, developmental and behavior milestones. In short, all kids are not ready to start toilet training at the same time, and forcing a child to use a potty before they are ready will only derail the process.
Signs that will indicate that your child is ready for potty training.
Ask yourself these questions and if your answer is yes, it might be time to start potty training.
- Are you changing fewer diapers than you did before?
- Does your child verbalize that they are about to pee or poop?
- Is your child ready to remove their stinky diaper?
Well, if you said yes to the above questions, you are just about to take the roller coaster ride that is potty training.
Generally, it is safe to start potty training at the age of 2. Some kids may show signs that they are ready as early as 18 months. Others are not ready until they are 3 years. It is also important to note that in most cases, girls will be earlier than boys.
Before you get started, also check that your child:
- Communicates that they need to go
- Is able to walk and sit on a toilet
- Is able to pull down their pants and pull them up again
- Is interested in using the toilet
- Follows simple instructions from you or their carer
You may happily have checked out all the above, and already feel like you’re ready to get started.
There’s one more thing you’ll need – Patience!
Your little one may be ready to say goodbye to those diapers, but your attitude towards them during training will also affect how fast they leave them.
Useful Tips on Potty Training
- Choose the right words to use.
How will you express the act? For example, you can use simple words like pee, poop, and potty. Stick to these words as your child will easily learn to communicate when they need to go.
- Prepare the potty
Place a potty in the bathroom or wherever you feel comfortable. It could be a place where your child spends most of their time.
Encourage the child to seat on the potty. It doesn’t matter if they are dressed, this is just the beginning.
Use simple language to talk about the toileting process. You can damp the content of their diaper into the potty and then into the toilet as you explain the process.
- Schedule potty training
Have the child seat on the potty for several minutes every 2 hours. The child should not have the diapers on.
Encourage them to pee or poop when they sit on the potty. You can easily distract your child by reading them a story or playing a game while they are at it.
Offer small rewards to your child whenever there is success and praise them for every attempt they make. This will encourage them to learn.
It is important to establish a clear routine. For example, have your child sit on the potty when they wake up in a dry diaper, 45 minutes after taking some fluids during the day, or 15-30 minutes after meals.
- Read the signs!
Your child is not there yet! As a parent, it is up to you to notice any indicators that show they need to use the toilet. Some kids may not be able to voice it out, but as a parent, you will not miss that facial expression that shows that they need to go.
- Teach on Hygiene
Kids love learning and trying new things. Show your child how to spread their legs to make them comfortable during the potty training process. Also, explain the importance of hand washing after using the toilet. This way they will learn and enjoy the whole process.
- Try Pants or Underwear
Keeping a track of success during potty training will help you know when your child is finally able to ditch the diapers. Do not rush this move. Nap time and night time will take longer. You may also need to use those diapers when you’re travelling for long distances.
Potty training may wear you down and especially if your child is not ready. Do not force your child to sit on the potty when they are not interested as this will only lead to a frustrating situation.
As annoying as it may be, accidents are bound to happen. Do not admonish your child when this happens. Instead, it is important for you to reassure them that they can do it and to encourage them in their future attempts. If your child refuses toilet training they probably need some time. Let it off and try again in a few months.
If you’re still having problems after the child indicates that they are ready, seek the help of a professional doctor who may guide or advice on the way forward.
Potty training will not come without its challenges. But do not give up! Soon enough they’ll ditch those diapers for good. However, toilet training takes time. Read your child for signs of readiness, set the stage, and enjoy the transformation!
Tell us how you hacked this toilet/potty training …