Time Management Is the Key to Success!
Are you ready to embark on the potty training adventure with your little one? Think again… Just kidding! Let’s dive in together! Potty Training 101 is here to help guide you through the process with your child—born in this new day and age—while making it a positive experience for everyone involved.
Busting the Myths of Potty Training
Let’s start by busting a few common potty training myths, so you can be equipped with the right mindset and tools!
Myth #1: Potty training starts when the parent decides.
NOPE! The best way to begin potty training is when your child shows interest. While you, as a parent, can introduce the idea, the process truly begins when your child is ready and engaged. Remember, the most important person in this process is not you—it’s them!
Myth #2: Potty training begins when the child sits on the toilet.
Wrong again! Potty training actually begins before your child ever sits on the potty. The key here is understanding that potty training is about teaching a skill over time, just like any other developmental milestone. So, when your child starts walking, the journey begins—keep reading, and we’ll tell you why.
Myth #3: Potty chairs are easier to use.
Not necessarily! While potty chairs can seem convenient, toilets can often be more practical. Flushing is way easier than cleaning and sanitizing a potty chair over and over again. But this is just my humble opinion—feel free to choose what works best for your family
Now that we’ve set the record straight, let’s dive into the potty training lessons that will make this journey smoother for you and your child.
Lesson 1: Training Starts NOW!
Even toddlers as young as 12-15 months can begin the potty training process—but wait! This doesn’t mean putting them on the toilet just yet. The early stages are about teaching your child the bathroom basics: pulling up their pants, washing their hands, and dressing with some assistance.
Start small. After a diaper change, have your child practice pulling up their pants and washing their hands. Sure, you may need to lift them to reach the sink, but these simple habits lay the groundwork for what’s to come.
Why is this part of training so crucial? It builds independence and confidence, which are key to success. By encouraging your child to master these smaller tasks, you’re giving them the tools to tackle potty training with self-assurance. If you haven’t started this part of the process yet, no worries—there’s no time like the present!
Lesson 2: Force vs. Volunteering
We all know toddlers have their own willpower, and forcing them to do anything often ends in tears (yours and theirs). The same goes for potty training. Instead of forcing your child to use the potty, try inviting them to be curious about it.
Take your toddler to the bathroom with you, talk to them about going potty like a big kid, and let them help flush the toilet (flushing seems to be an exciting event!). Ask them if they want to try it next time, without any pressure. Gradually, their curiosity will grow, and soon enough, it will be their idea to try the potty—which makes all the difference.
Lesson 3: Start Right, End Right
Potty chairs seem like a convenient solution, but let’s consider the long-term impact. When a child is trained using a potty chair, it often becomes a mobile bathroom—ending up in the living room, bedroom, or even in front of the TV. However, in the real world, bathrooms aren’t mobile. Potty training is a great opportunity to teach children that the bathroom is a special place where certain tasks take place.
When you make the bathroom the center of potty training, you avoid potential problems like toilet fear, which can happen when children get too comfortable with their portable potty. Toilets may seem scary at first, but by introducing them early, you can help your child see the bathroom as a normal, non-threatening part of daily life.
That’s why my motto is: Start right, end right!
Final Thoughts???
Potty training is a process, and time management is key. Start with small steps, build your child’s confidence, and remember to go at their pace. By focusing on teaching independence and avoiding pressure, you’ll create a positive potty training experience that sets your child up for success.
