How to potty-train your toddler

Potty-training is a big step for toddlers, and it's possible to do it without tears or trauma! Follow these steps to help your little one learn to use the potty.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• a child's potty-chair
• big-kid underpants
• LOTS of patience and a sense of humor!

1. Let your toddler come with you when you use the potty and explain what you are doing as you go (i.e. "I'm flushing the toilet now. Now I'm washing my hands")

2. Buy a small potty-chair for your child to use. It may be easier for your child to relax and use the potty on a small chair because their feet are planted firmly on the floor. Let your child sit on the potty, clothed or unclothed, as often as she likes. Don't pressure her to sit on the potty if she doesn't want to.

3. Wait until he is truly ready. Good verbal skills, walking skills, and the ability to pull pants up and down will make it a lot easier.

4. Skip the pull-up training pants. Once your child has been going in the potty successfully for awhile, take her to the store and let her pick out some big-kid underpants.

5. Decide on a day that you would like your child to start wearing underpants instead of diapers. Circle that day on the calender and let him know ahead of time that it is coming. Cheerfully explain what is going to happen. He'll pick up on your enthusiasm.

6. When the day arrives, dress your child in underpants and explain to her that when she needs to go potty, she will need to tell a grown-up and run to her little toilet. Expect her to have a lot of accidents on this day. Don't make a big deal when they happen. Just say, "oops, you didn't make it to the potty in time!" and change her clothes. You can ask her if she wants to help you clean it up, but don't force her, and above all don't scold her for the accident. After a day or two she will get the idea.

7. You might want to keep your child in diapers at night until he is mostly accident-free during the day.

Tips & Warnings

• During the first few days that your toddler is wearing underpants, you may want to cover your sofa with bath-towels.
• If you or your child are becoming excessively frustrated, it's okay to take a break from potty-training for a few weeks, or even a few months! You can always try again later!
• Don't force your child to sit on the potty at certain times of day. Your child may resist you and you will end up with an ugly battle on your hands. Children will eventually learn to control their bodies if they are given the chance. They'll naturally want to experiment with how long they can "hold it." Step back and allow them to go through this process!

[Allandra]

on 7/22/2007 I find that with potty train, you really ought to have patience and a sense of humor. Don't worry and don't give up! Your child will eventually get there.