The Busy Mom’s Guide to Potty Training
Potty Training Made (Somewhat) Easy!
Did you know that you can pay someone to potty train your child? Yes, you read correctly – for a large fee, (some people even charge up to $1000), someone will come to your house and teach your child how to pee and poop in the potty. Toilet training is something of a rite of passage for our toddlers, and common sense tells you that they will figure it out eventually. However, it is a topic that is very stressful to many busy parents. So, if you are one of those people who are going to forego the “potty professional”, there are some things you can do to make it a successful and low-stress process.
Have patience. Obviously, they won’t be wearing diapers forever, even though it feels that way.
Make sure they are ready
A child needs to have the awareness of their own body and the communication skills to let you know that they need to go. Therefore, they are not ready to start until they are between 18 months and 3 years old and boys tend to start later than girls. I have heard of so many people sitting their not quite one-year-old child on the potty multiple times every day, so of course, this method will be effective sometimes. However, it’s important that your child is at an age where they are ready and are not only successful because of the frequency they are placed on the toilet, but because they understand what is happening.
Watch and learn
The saying applies to many things that children learn from each other. This might mean that they are watching you use the bathroom or another one of their friends who is the same age. While this would be a creepy situation if it was an adult watching another adult, allowing the child to watch either a parent or friend of their own age use the potty is definitely the way they learn and are motivated to want to try themselves.
Have the right equipment
When your child seems ready to start potty training, let them choose some fun underwear with characters on it they love. Also, it is a good idea to have either a seat to put on top of the toilet or a small potty seat for their little bottoms to sit on. Some kids get really scared that they will fall into the toilet. Additionally, be sure to have clean-up supplies and a spare outfit for the inevitable accident. Reading books about going on the potty, such as Time to Pee! by Mo Willems, Everyone Poops by Taro Gomi or My Big Boy Potty and My Big Girl Potty by Joanna Cole are all fun ones for kids.
Reward success
Make up a potty dance, cheer when you flush the toilet, and get some “potty prizes”—stamps, stickers, or an M&M are all good ones. Don’t criticize accidents, just move on.
Have patience. Obviously, they won’t be wearing diapers forever, even though it feels that way.
Meet The Bella Behind the Blog: Kristen Farley is a mother of three and a domestic goddess. She is a former teacher who enjoys spending lots of time with her kids, healthy eating, volunteering at school, and mommy blogging for the masses.
Be on the lookout for more of Kristen’s expert advice and brilliant tips!
