Tips for Parents United in the Potty Training Club

There are certain topics that are sure to get moms telling their war stories: birth stories, bedtime battles, and the perennial favourite: potty training. There’s something about the combination of mommy, toddler, and bathroom that sets the stage for drama. The good news is that potty training doesn’t have to be an exercise in frustration. Here are some tips to get potty training off to a good start:

Chill out. Your child won’t go to college still wearing diapers. I promise. Eventually they will find out and decide to take over the business. That’s not to say you can’t encourage or guide the process, but turning it into a battle of wills will get you nowhere. Relax, find the humor in all of this, and let the learning process work. It will happen.

Remember that it is their job, not yours. To paraphrase the old saying, you can potty train your child but you can’t make them poop. To the extent possible, make it your child’s responsibility to attend to his own toileting needs. Let your child choose pull-ups or underwear. Involve your child in cleaning up the inevitable accidents. Help your child select their own potty training or potty seat. Don’t push, but let your child take responsibility for her own bodily functions.

Prize. There are parenting moments when a little well-placed bribery is called for. Potty training is one of those times. Find your child’s coin. It could be a box of stickers, a small piece of candy, or maybe a special outing with mom or dad. Make up a silly potty cheer and dance after successfully using the potty. Don’t punish accidents, but reward successes.

pattern. Children are natural imitators. Take advantage of that by providing role models for your child. If you feel comfortable doing this, take your child into the bathroom with you. Point out to your child that his favorite “big” friends go to the bathroom. Read books like Everybody Poops, Even Firefighters Go Potty, or personalized books that highlight potty training. All are great options to help your child visualize himself going to the bathroom.

Go bohemian. If your circumstances and weather permit, try allowing them to run around naked (or at least the bottom half) all day in the backyard. Put a potty on the lawn. This not only makes things fun, for some reason I don’t know, but it’s effective.