Potty training can be a process of trial and error. It can be both exciting and quite frustrating. Rest assured, eventually your child will be potty trained. There are very few teenagers running around in diapers!
That being said, there are proven potty training strategies that have worked for parents over the years. Let’s take a look at a few of them to make the potty training process as easy and painless as possible.
Wait until your child is ready for potty training before you begin.
Many parents, undoubtedly excited to be done with the whole diaper thing, rush potty training. Good intentions aside, if a child isn’t mentally and physically ready to learn how to use a toilet, the potty training process is going to take much longer and be frustrating for the both of you.
Signs your child is ready to begin potty training include:
- Frequent dry or clean diapers
- Curiosity about the toilet
- Communication regarding their potty habits. If a child tells you they just peed or they have to pee they’re ready for potty training.
Make sure you have the right gear.
There are a lot of potty training aids available. From small portable potty chairs to floating targets you can place in the toilet to help your little boy aim and enjoy the training process. Getting the gear before you begin training will help you and your child. It helps create a structure and a routine around potty training.
It also helps to have potty training friendly clothing. There’s nothing more frustrating than a child who tells you they have to go potty and then having them wet their pants because it took too long to get their clothing off. Slip on pants are the easiest and of course skirts and dresses make it easy for girls.
Have a positive mindset.
Mistakes will happen and children will make huge leaps forward only to then have really bad potty training days or weeks. Reward and celebrate successes and stay focused on having a positive attitude. Recrimination, punishment and yelling only makes a child feel bad about themselves. It doesn’t further the potty training process.
Know that it’s much easier for a child to be aware of their body during the daytime. Nighttime accidents can happen well into elementary school. Be prepared. Protect your child’s pride and their belongings with a mattress pad. Create rules about drinking before bedtime. Offer support and understanding.
The potty training process can take awhile. Each child’s experiences are different. Be patient, be positive and be prepared!
