Potty Training Tips From Parents To Parents

Time for potty training tips! Of all the areas that must be taught correctly to children, potty training is probably the single most important one.

Understanding when to start and what to do is a learning process for parents; especially new parents. It can be challenging but rewarding.

Children usually begin to learn the potty right about the time the "terrible twos" arrive. This is a very noticeable time, newbies, because when you say "stop" baby says "go", you say "up" and baby says "down".

This behavior is a healthy part of baby's development and is natural. Your child is just becoming aware of themselves, their desires, and their individual identity. The point is to be aware of how you get junior to the potty.

Trying to force them into the bathroom will undoubtedly result in a "NO!" response. Do not punish and do not get into a battle over it with the child. If you do, then everyone will lose. Just tell them (and know) that they will get there in their own time with gentle guidance.

Along the way, there are positive, enjoyable things to encourage the child.

• There are several good videos available. These reinforce the potty training while keeping the child entertained with a catchy child's tune. Watch the video, learn the song together and sing it when junior goes to the potty.

• Let them know they have done well. When they go successfully, let it be known that you recognize it. Sing a certain tune when they go to the potty room and another when they finish. The child feels accomplished and confident now. Some parents even applaud a little to reinforce the behavior.

• Take your child to a book store or even a library to pick a few stories that they really like and enjoy. Enforce that these will only be read at potty time. When the time comes, read together with the child and use positive reinforcement to build confidence.

More Potty Training Tips

Parents, this is where you can be inventive.

• Some kids respond to rewards, so get a stock of stickers, small treats or other rewards for a "potty-tive" experience. When the child goes successfully, use the positive reinforcement and give them a small reward.

• Boys are harder than girls for obvious reasons. A mis-directed stream can be messy as well as a challenge for little boys. A simple trick one parent uses is to play "target practice" at potty time.

  Place a sticker for him to aim at in the potty. One parent threw in a handful of cheerios and told him to aim for them and sink them. The process took about a week or two and the boy had no mistakes after that.

• A good potty training tip for girls is to add food coloring to the water (red or blue works best here). When the pee-pee hits it, it turns colors.

Kids just love the fact that they have done something they were supposed to do. Praise their accuracy and make them feel good about themselves.

When applying these potty training tips you will notice that potty training does not have to be hard and can even be fun for both parent and child. I can tell you that it is something your child will remember as they get older. It is important to make those memories happy ones.

Learn more about potty training tips - Sign up to our free newsletter!

Back to potty training

Go back to Home Page