How to Potty Train with a Potty Party
Terri Crane, author of "Potty Train Your Child in Just One Day," recommends using a potty party to help train a reluctant toddler because it makes learning to use the potty fun, exciting and rewarding. If your toddler is ready to potty train, throwing her a one-day potty training party can motivate her to start successfully using the potty chair.
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Things You'll Need
- Party supplies, such as balloons, streamers and noisemakers
- Snacks, such as cookies, candy and fruit
- Cake
- Presents
Instructions
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Look for signs of potty training readiness, since potty training by any method will be easier when your toddler has the interest and physical ability to begin. A toddler who is ready to start potty training can recognize when his diaper is wet or dirty, get on and off the potty chair, pull his pants down and back up, stay dry for up to three hours at a time and communicate to you when he needs to use the potty.
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Announce that your toddler is going diaper-free today. Create excitement by hanging streamers and balloons, wearing party hats, blowing on noisemakers and doing lots of clapping, dancing and singing.
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Remove your toddler's diaper after he urinates, either in his diaper or in the potty chair. Put him in underwear featuring his favorite character or let him go bare-bottomed. Display lots of excitement with high-fives, kisses and claps because he has finished using diapers.
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Watch for signs that your toddler needs to go potty, such as grunting, squatting, grabbing her panties or crossing her legs. Remember that toddlers usually need to go potty within 30 minutes of drinking something or about every 1 1/2 to two hours. If she hasn't gone potty within 90 minutes, start taking her to the potty every 10 minutes to let her try.
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Reward your toddler each time he successfully uses the potty chair with lots of excitement and positive attention. Dance around the room, shower him with hugs and kisses, and blow your party noisemakers. Offer him a little snack, such as a cookie or piece of candy or fruit.
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Celebrate your toddler's potty training success at the end of the day by expanding the potty party festivities. Take her to a restaurant she likes or throw a party at your house complete with cake, balloons and even a small present or two. Invite grandparents, siblings, friends and other close family members to help honor her achievement.
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Dispose of your toddler's diapers at the end of the party. Let him throw them away in a clean garbage bag so you can donate or give the diapers to someone else. Have all the partygoers clap, cheer and hug him to celebrate his achievement in transitioning to big boy underwear.
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Tips & Warnings
Respond calmly to your toddler's inevitable accidents. Give her hug and say "Oops, you had an accident. Next time hurry to the potty chair." Save your emotional reactions for when she uses the potty correctly.
Don't put diapers on your toddler again after her potty party, since doing so will just confuse her about what you expect. Use pull-ups overnight, during naps and on outings. Describe the pull-ups as disposable big kid underwear and make it clear that she is only wearing them on the off chance that she needs them.
References
- Photo Credit Stockbyte/Stockbyte/Getty Images
