Things You'll Need:
- A training potty
- Training diapers such as Pullups
- "Big kid" underwear
- Potty training cartoon video or book
- Patience and creativity
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Step 1
There are all kinds of training potties out there. Get excited about potty shopping and take your child along to pick one out (this is optional). While you're there, pick up some "big kid" underwears and a video or book about potty training. Children love to copy others.
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Step 2
Have your child practice sitting on the potty with the diaper on. Then encourage your child to sit with diaper off. Let him/her know that this is where they go pee pee from now on. Read the potty training book to your child or watch the video together.
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Step 3
When you and your child are home, let him/her run around in regular underwears. This will encourage your child to use the potty because wetting regular undies are much more uncomfortable for them than wetting training diapers.
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Step 4
When your child do go in the potty, praise him/her and clap. Maybe create a little celebratory dance together!
Be encouraging and start out slow because changes can be traumatic and stressful for a child. If your child doesn't want to go, be patient. Also accidents will happen, especially if you go the underwear route. And remember, never yell or punish your child for accidents as that can be damaging to his/her psyche.
Comments
cplavoukos said
on 9/4/2008 Thanks for the tips! Just bought our first pair of "real" undies. A little bit nervous...but looking forward to trying these at home. We are almost there.
grouch said
on 12/7/2007 Great tips. The underware way is the way to go no matter how painful for the parent. When I would switch to training pants it confused more then helped.