Potty Training Your Child

This article discusses simple tips and advice on potty training

Potty training can be a very hard and frustrating time for children. However, you can work together with your child to make this challenging task as easy as possible. Begin by having discussions with your toddler when you change a diaper. For instance, you can talk about how you don't have to wait for someone to change your diaper since you are potty trained. Ask if your child would like a potty that is just his size to practice with. Buy the potty chair and set it up in an easy to reach location. Take some time to examine the potty chair and talk about how it works. You may want to buy one of the many potty training books available and read it with your child. Mr. Rogers has an excellent potty training book. There are also videos on potty training. Your child may get very excited when he sees that other children his age use a potty and wear real underwear.

Once the groundwork has been laid, it is time to try toilet training. You may want to use the pull up diapers that are available from disposable diaper manufacturers for the first sessions. This will prevent major damage to your floors while your child is still trying to decide if he wants to be potty trained yet. Once your child seems to be interested in trying to run to the potty, you should have real underwear available. Look for underwear that will excite your child, such as underwear with pictures of a favorite super hero or princess. Encourage your child to use the potty chair frequently. Do not scold your child's mistakes, but make sure you praise every success and even the failed attempts to succeed. For instance, if a child rushes to the potty and is a few moments too late, comment on how great it was that he tried to get there on time and talk about what he can do to make sure he doesn't have an accident the next time. If your child tries to get up too quickly and has an accident immediately after using his potty chair, provide some books for him to read while using the potty.

Some children just are not excited by the thought of using the potty and need extra motivation. For these children, sometimes a small prize is enough. Get a basket or box and decorate it. Place stickers, small toys, or temporary tattoos in the prize chest. Allow your child to pick out a prize after each successful attempt at potty training. Once the child begins to use the potty, you can change the frequency of the prize. For instance, you can tell your child that he can have a prize after he stays dry for two hours, four hours, and then a whole day. Gradually, you will do away with the prize box.

As you potty train, remember to be patient and understanding even when there is a puddle on your hardwoods for the third day in a row. However, if your child consistently has problems potty training even when he is really trying, you may want to talk to his pediatrician to be sure there are no medical problems. Finally, keep working with your child. One day, you will look back on the last twenty four hours and realize that your child stayed dry all day.

© Demand Media 2011