How to Potty Train Your Child

Potty training your child can be frustrating for many parents. Parents are often in hurry to get their child potty trained. I talked to a group of parents to find out what their frustration is really about. One parent said, "I want to get my child potty trained so he is ready for preschool." Another parent moaned, "I am tired of changing diapers, it is a task I just don't like to do." Followed by another parent who stated, "It has cost my husband and I a fortune and we just can't afford to change diapers." I responded to these parents with suggestions on how they can help potty train their child. After using my suggestions these parents expressed less frustration and developed a more positive attitude about potty training their child.

Your child will go to the bathroom on their own when they are developmentally ready. There seems to be a big push to start potty training as soon as the child turns two. I have even seen some parents try as early as a year and a half. The fact is most children are not ready at age two. Children really vary in age as to when they are developmentally ready to go to the bathroom on their own. It is a parent's responsibility to encourage and not pressure. As a matter a fact the more pressure towards the child the longer it will take for that child to go to the bathroom on its own. It is a good time to start talking with your child about potty training but not to expect your child to be potty trained.

Read books to your child about getting potty trained. Many books for young children have pictures, which show the process of going to the bathroom. This is also an opportunity for you to talk with your child why we going to the bathroom on the toilet and answer any questions your child may have. A good book I would recommend is Potty Time With Elmo. You can find the book at Target stores.

Be a positive role model for your child. Let your child see you going to the bathroom. This will help familiarize them with the process and will help your child feel more comfortable in the long run. They are more likely to do something if they see you doing it.

Purchase a potty chair for your child. There are potty chairs that are made for the body size of your child. This will make going to the bathroom more comfortable for your child. The potty chair will prevent your child from falling into the toilet, which can be a scary experience. A potty chair I would recommend is the Kolcraft Sesame Street Potty Chair. I have done a review of this potty chair at Associated Content if you want to know more about the potty chair.

Give your child lots of positive verbal feedback. Any pressure or criticism can be a turn off for your child and a barrier in your goal in getting your child potty trained. When your child seems interested in using the toilet make positive statements such, I am happy to see you sitting on the toilet and trying to go to the bathroom. The positive statement will make the child feel good and motivated to go to the bathroom on the toilet.

These are some suggestions that have help parents and I think might help you too. Just keep in mind that your child will go to the bathroom on their own when they are ready. By using these tips it can help encourage your child to go to the bathroom possibly sooner