Have you read through the comments on last week’s post about Potty Training? If you are potty training or child or getting close to that time, go read them. It was reinforce the fact that this is tricky business, that while every child is unique, you’re not the only one who has a kid who: _______(fill in the blank).
I am by no means an expert, but I wanted to address a few more issues that were brought up multiple times during the giveaway. I hope it helps!
How do I get my child interested in potty training?
It all depends on your child. You can go buy a little potty together, or wrap it up and give it as a gift to your child. If the weather is nice, don’t discount letting your child run around in the backyard without any bottoms on. Actually seeing what happens can be very helpful. You can leave the door open while you use the toilet, or comment on how an older sibling, cousin or friend is using the toilet. If your child is dry during a usual diaper change time, invite your child to sit on the potty. Before bath was the first time both my children started using the toilet regularly.
My child started training, then stopped and/or is now scared of the potty.
I know children who stopped and started several times before they were fully trained. As a matter of fact, if you search my archives, you can find phrase “pull ups are dumb and a waste of money.” And they can be, when you child is just wetting them like diapers and not coming within 50 ft of the bathroom. If they start with gusto, and then lose interest, don’t sweat it. Keep the little potty out, keep up the positive potty talk, and praise your child when the mood strikes and he uses the toilet. One thing that can work is a deal where you have your child sit on the toilet and count to ten. If he goes, great. If he doesn’t, at least he’s tried. As far as being scared is concerned, try enlisting some help. Maybe grandma can bring buy a new, non-scary potty. At last week’s Twitter party, the idea of using “monster spray” on the toilet seat seemed to be a good one (get a spray bottle of whatever, say it keeps away the monsters).
Poop is a whole different thing.
Remember, your child needs leverage to poop. Pooping in the little potty will be much easier for him, although messier for you. Lots of kids go off and hide to poop. As far as taking off the messy diaper and making big mess goes, you’ve got two choices. You can either give your child a consequence for taking off the diaper or pull up, or you can switch to a brand with sides that don’t open (usually store brands). Incentives sometimes work, it just depends on the child.
Getting Trained for School
If your child is going to be enrolling in daycare where there are children in diapers, don’t sweat the potty training. If the daycare serves ages as young as one and as old as four, you can bet they’ve done their fair share of potty training. Ask what the protocol is at the center, and work with the teachers to facilitate training at home and at daycare. Consistency is key, and don’t be surprised if your child stays dry in one place before the other.
If your child is enrolling in preschool, where the youngest children are around three, then your child more than likely won’t be allowed to attend with a disposable diaper or pull up of any sort. For some facilities, it’s a licensing issue, there are simply some procedures which must be in place if there is diaper changing happening. Your child should be wearing underwear by the time school starts, and able to make it to the toilet on his own (pull pants up and down). Ask the school how they handle bathroom accidents. They should be reassuring in that it isn’t a big deal, and they should reassure you that accidents will happen (if they don’t, the school may not be the right place for your child). They may expect your child to be able to make a good attempt at dressing himself, so be sure to practice at home. If school is only a few weeks away, ask if your child’s admission can be delayed until he is more independent in the bathroom.
More Questions?
If you haven’t checked out Pull Ups on Facebook, go do it right now! They have a section called “Advice & Tools” where you able to ask your questions and get answers from people who can help. You can also read story after story of families who are working their way to being diaper-free.
Thanks to everyone who entered the giveaway and came with their potty training stories and woes — if nothing else, I hope you’ve realized that you are not alone, and that, in the end, everyone uses the toilet! (Potty Dance Optional, but kinda catchy)
Disclosure:This is the second post in a series in conjunction with Potty Dance Party Day. I received a Potty Training kit, the opportunity to speak with Dr. Gwen, and admission and a stipend for expenses for attending the Potty Dance Party.