Potty Training Tips for Your Busy Toddler
Every parent should go through the experience of potty training their child. This is an exciting time in a family’s life as diapers disappear, but the process can be frustrating at times. There are many different strategies, but some tips remain consistent across all of them. In this article, we will discuss those important and effective tips.
Potty training will never work if your child is not ready. Before you even start, check to see if your toddler is “ready.” Can your child go at least two to three hours between bath sessions? Does your child recognize the sensation of being wet or dirty? Does your child show any interest in tasks related to going to the bathroom? Is your child old enough to understand the basic concepts involved? If you answered yes to these questions, let potty training begin!
Once you’ve established that your child is ready, add some visual cues. Young children are often visual learners. Pictures mean more to them than words. Because of this, charts and books can be effective tools along the way of potty training. Let your child see what he should do when he is sitting on the toilet. Draw it or use an age-appropriate book to explain things. This can make the learning process easier and the training process faster as well.
Once you’ve shown your child what to do in the bathroom, make an effort to let him know when he does it right. For some young children, rewards can be helpful. Find something your child loves and offer it to him every time he sits on the toilet. Later, change the reward to any time he actually pees or poops.
Another great way to get your child interested in the potty is to make the bathroom a fun place to be. Buy a potty that incorporates a favorite character. One that adds music or a download sound can also come in handy. Also, offer your child a favorite book every time she sits on the potty. This will help make bath time an enjoyable time for your busy little one. It will also encourage them to sit longer, which can make it a lot easier.
Finally, keep in mind that potty training doesn’t have to happen overnight. Sometimes, even if you are doing everything right, you may need to stop training for a while. If your child is experiencing a new event in her life, or if an illness has crept into the house, potty training may not go as well. Take some time to assess what is going on in your child’s life and take a break from training if necessary. Doing this can help you avoid feelings of frustration and can keep potty training from feeling like a chore. When the time is right, you can always pick up where you left off.
Potty training is a special and unique event in the life of any child. However, it can sometimes seem like a stressful time in a parent’s life, because not every child will react the same way to every potty training method. In this article, we’ve discussed some surefire tips that can help with any potty training experience. Whatever your method, incorporate these tips and your child is sure to see success.