How to Potty Train Your Child

Potty train your toddler in less than a week.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• 10-20 pairs of underwear
• Potty chair
• Treats or stickers
• You child's fav. drink
• Patience

1. First you need to establish readiness. If your toddler can stay dry throughout the night for one full week he/she is ready to begin. That is usually around a year and a half for most kids. Start by restricting fluids for the two to three hours before bedtime, if your child complains, a little sip of water at bedtime won't foil your plan. If your child wakes up dry each morning you are good to go. If your child still has wet diapers think through your evening and evaluate if there is anything you can change, if not then hold off for a couple weeks and do your readiness test again.

2. First you will want to get a good potty chair or one that fits over your toilet seat. I used both. You will also need between 10 and 20 pairs of big kid underwear, depending on how much laundry you want to do. DO NOT get pull ups or any other kind of diaper like trainers. You will also need to get treats or stickers. Use something that is new and will likely be very special. Gummy snacks or fruit snacks are a good alternative to candy. Gold fish crackers are good as well, you just want something small. Stickers work good if you choose not to reward with food. Stock up on your child's favorite drink, they will need a lot of fluids the first few days.

3. Throw out those diapers! Yes, you heard me throw them away, give them away, have your mother hide them away, but get them out of your house! You will need to get out those big kid underwear or unders as my daughter calls them. On the morning you will start potty training wake your child take off their diaper and tell them that they won't be wearing diapers anymore because they are big now. Let them pick a pair of underwear and put them on. Not all kids will be enthusiastic about this part, but with a little help they will soon get there. You can have your child help you get rid of the rest of the diapers and explain that babies wear diapers and since they are big now, they won't need diapers anymore. They don't need to wear pants, just the underwear or a dress for girls. The less you have to remove when they need to go the better in the first few days. Show them their potty and explain that when they go poopy or pee on the potty they will get a reward (treat, sticker...whatever reward you've chosen). Give them as much to drink that day as they can stand. It doesn't matter what it is, just make sure they are drinking and drinking a lot! The more they drink the more chances you will have to take them to the potty and the higher your success rate will be. As soon as you notice they need to pee run, don't walk them to the potty and sit them on it. If they are already in the act, put them on underwear and all and let them finish. The goal is to pee on the potty, it isn't as important in the first few days that they "start" on the potty. They just need to finish on the potty. If they go, then clap and cheer and jump up and down. Show them how proud you are. Then reward them. Explain to them that peeing/pooping on themselves is yucky and that they should tell mommmy/daddy when they feel like they need to pee. They won't like the sensation of wet underwear, it feels much different that an absorbent diaper. I like to have a potty chair in the room I am in so that when the child starts to "go" then you are closer to the potty and they have a better chance of finishing on the pot. I didn't leave my house for the first 3 days. You will want to stay home too, it just takes a lot of time and patience.

4. Once you have successfully finished on the potty for a day or so, your son or daughter will start to grasp that they need to tell you as soon as they need to go. I know it seems like they are too young for that, but they will tell you, even if they can't verbalize it yet, they will let you know. But ultimately you have to be attentive to them. NEVER put diapers back on them while you are potty training this way, it just sets them back and is confusing. If you child passed the readiness test they should have no problem staying dry through the night, just follow the same guidelines as you did during the test and restrict fluids before bed. Remember to NEVER yell at your child for an accident. That's what it is...an accident. They are learning and it can be overwhelming. My advice is to plan to stay home, plan on washing a lot of clothes and plan on shampooing your carpets when you are done. Good luck.

Tips & Warnings

• Make a sticker chart or a poster where your child can place the stickers after receiving one. This is a special way for them to see their progress.
• Have a big kid party when they complete their training and invite family over to celebrate.
• Above all just keep the praise coming, try to overlook the accidents and just teach them!
• Don't use diapers or pull-ups while potty training.
• If you aren't successful the first time you try then stop. Wait a few weeks or a month and start again.
• Don't get upset with your child they are learning and need you to be supportive.

[tachic]

on 3/1/2009 Great advice-I'll need this in a year or so!

[DianeD]

on 2/28/2009 My daughter is going through this right now, will pass this on.