While some children seem to master potty training very easily, there are some who take a little longer. Every child is different and each learns at their own pace. However, there’s a chance that the delay may have something to do with your approach. If your potty training efforts seem to be going nowhere or you’re interested in learning a little bit more before you even start, then take a look at these three important keys.
- Don’t Force It
At some point every parent gets tired of changing diapers or becomes anxious for their child to start school. However, this doesn’t mean that you should attempt to force the child to potty train. Because there’s nothing you can do or say to get your child to use the potty if he or she is ready for it. So if you’ve already started the potty training process but are getting a significant amount of resistance, just know that it’s perfectly okay to stop and try again later on when they are more receptive to it.
- Create A Schedule and Move Gradually
During potty training sessions, you should demonstrate how the toilet works and how different parts of the body functions. In fact, you should develop your own little vocabulary to help you describe each step in detail including such as removing clothes, sitting on the toilet, wiping, flushing and washing hands. Just remember that training when you’re busy is a bad idea; you need to have plenty of time to focus. So the best time to potty train is when you’re on vacation or during the weekend. Purchase your necessities well in advance–potty books and chairs, training and pants and clothes that are easy to take off and put on.
- Go Overboard With Praise
Celebrate even the smallest milestones with your child. Whether they’ve pulled down their pants, wiped, flushed, sat on the potty or have simply told you that they need to use the potty, make a big deal about it. Give them stickers or small little gifts so that they begin to associate using the potty with praise. Going to the potty will eventually become a game to them. However, you should be prepared to deal with setbacks, because accidents do happen. In times when the child forgets to go, you should remain calm and tell them that they will remember the next time.
As you can see, potty training doesn’t have to be difficult. It just takes proper timing. And it also requires a willingness to view things from your child’s perspective. If your child has issues with bed wetting, than check out our in-depth bed wetting page.
