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.
cleaning service near Bannockburn ..I was in the life insurance sales industry for over... Read More
"Hugging is healthy: it helps the body's immunity system, it... Read More
Many families do not want to believe their child is... Read More
The girl's jaw dropped in horror as the police officer... Read More
Bedtime and children's sleep habits can cause nightmares - for... Read More
Working with adults (as well as children and teens) for... Read More
There's a new trend for party entertainment. It seems as... Read More
The biggest trick some child predators' are using these days... Read More
Checking accounts are an absolute necessity these days. You can... Read More
Do you have a wild child? Then this article may... Read More
Encouragement comes when you focus on your child's assets and... Read More
One of the most difficult struggles in life for a... Read More
Many parents would like to homeschool their children but are... Read More
How to Get Your Child to Love Reading was conceived... Read More
Here is something that you might want to keep if... Read More
The successful preschool idea behind many successful preschool learning centers... Read More
Q. With the school year just beginning, what can we... Read More
(Excerpted from Jim Rohn's 2004 Weekend Leadership Event)You have to... Read More
Rule #1 Make Every Bite Count!Everything your child eats should... Read More
One of the most difficult parts of being a father... Read More
Giving with a happy heart. If you teach a child... Read More
Reading to your child at a young age is one... Read More
Hey Parents! I hate to tell you, but there is... Read More
It's sometimes difficult to find ways to be involved with... Read More
Many families today are blending members from past relationships. It... Read More
pet-friendly home cleaners Mundelein ..I hear from many parents that their child is stressed... Read More
For over fifty years, public-school officials and politicians have tried... Read More
Who lives in your house? Are they driving you "crazy?"... Read More
How would you like to have more time? Of course... Read More
What you say and do about money has a profound... Read More
Learning obedience is an important part of child development. This... Read More
What are we teaching our children about money? Hopefully something!I... Read More
Many public schools not only fail to educate our children,... Read More
In elementary school it's pretty straightforward: bringing in cupcakes to... Read More
In the last 20 years we've all been introduced to... Read More
Saturday mornings. Cold cereal and Scooby Doo. How many parents... Read More
For many adults, reading a book or newspaper seems effortless.... Read More
Why are more people, especially parents not outraged?I call it... Read More
Tripping over the shoes and toys that seem to clutter... Read More
This may come as a surprise.But despite all the advances... Read More
While most fathers aspire to become the best Dads they... Read More
Your child's first year of school should be a fun... Read More
Dear Sir, It was with some interest that I read... Read More
Every summer our daughter goes to summer camp. She looks... Read More
One reason public schools get away with educational failure, year... Read More
One of the questions I ask in parenting presentations is... Read More
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~Results of the Spanking Poll on Rexanne.com: Voters - 233Percentage... Read More
"Where did he come up with that?" Kids often amaze... Read More
As a parent, are you at your wits end? Does... Read More
"Life consists not in holding good cards but in playing... Read More
Parenting |