How to Potty Train a Strong Willed Toddler
Some children are ready to be potty trained as early as 18 months, while other won't be ready until they are 4 years old. Your toddler's personality can either make potty training easier or harder. If you have a strong-willed toddler, do not lose hope. All children will eventually be potty trained. You child might not be ready or you might be putting too much pressure on him. With patience and the following tips you can make potty training easier for your child and yourself.
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Instructions
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Evaluate your toddler to make sure she is ready to potty train. Watch to see if she stops her activities when she is peeing or having a bowel movement. Make sure she is able to stay dry for at least two hours, has regular bowel movements and is able to follow simple instructions. Wait a couple of weeks if your toddler is not ready; children resist potty training when they are not ready.
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Do not use diapers or training pants. Let your toddler be naked from the bottom down, he will feel uncomfortable when he has an accident and will start to use the potty. Alternately use underpants; they will produce the same effect. Let you toddler choose his underpants. Explain that he is now a big boy and doesn't need diapers. Buy him a comfortable potty of his size. Let him choose his own, some children are scared of big toilets and will feel more comfortable and safe on their own potty.
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Be consistent, potty training can take weeks or months. Take a few days off work when you start potty training to reinforce the basics. Do not go out for the first couple of days, it will help make accidents easier to clean up. Make sure your child care providers follow the same potty training schedule and guidelines you are using. Develop a routine and follow it, toddlers will potty train faster when they know what comes next.
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Praise your child when he goes in the potty. Do not make such a big deal that he gets nervous, but praise will help him feel proud and want to continue potty training. Praise him not only when he goes in the potty, but also for staying dry throughout the day, it will help him remember to go to the potty. Do not give your child stickers or treats for going to the potty; it will turn potty training into a game. Praise your child and he will develop an appreciation for learning to go potty.
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Have her help by wiping herself or flushing the toilet; toddlers like to help and it will make her feel proud of going to the potty. Give your child assignments in the house; it will help her be confident on her abilities and that she can be potty trained. Let your child help you pick up toys, cook easy meals, mop or dust.
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Do not punish your child when he has accidents; it will scare him from going to the potty and create further resistance. Act like nothing happened and have him clean up. Explain calmly that pee and poop go in the potty and he needs to go there next time he feels the urge. Keep praising him for staying dry and going to the potty. Do not remind him constantly to go the potty, the best reminder is the uncomfortable feeling of an accident. Do not force your child to stay in the potty if he is not going o else he will resist you further.
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Tips & Warnings
If your toddler is resisting after trying different approaches, he might not be ready to potty trained yet. Wait a couple of weeks and try again. Pressure will only make your child more strong willed.
References
- Photo Credit Ryan McVay/Photodisc/Getty Images
