Misconceptions of Potty Training

Of all of the child rearing and child development processes, potty training, for most parents, leads the way in terms of frustration and confusion. For many children, potty training comes naturally. In some, however, there is great difficulty in grasping the concept of potty training and the importance of associating elimination of the bladder and bowel with the bathroom. As parents, understanding some basic misconceptions about potty training, may help to transit through this frustrating period in child growth and development.

While many parents will tell you boys are usually more difficult to potty train than girls, this is simply not the case. Statistically, in both genders, there is a clear understanding of the importance of potty training and, intellectually, both genders meet the association of potty training at the same development period. However, it is not uncommon for boys to meet this challenge with a little more resistance. Because boys, as a general rule, tend to be more physically active, they show a greater tendency to delay using the restroom and, as a result, may suffer an accident before getting there.

Another misconception is the tendency of children to urinate in the toilet well before having a bowel movement. While most child development experts agree the urinating in the toilet is much easier, statistics show that bowel movements are equally as easy to potty train. In fact, because bowel movements are easier to control, many children will choose to have a bowel movement in the potty well before they begin urinating, only because the control of the process is much easier.

And yet another complaint among parents who are potty training involves the consistent plight of the child who expresses a desire to use the potty but, after sitting on the toilet for a period of time, will rise, go about playing, only to experience an accident on the floor or on their clothes. Child development experts agree this is predominantly the result of a child who is overly active and eager to return to play rather than sitting on the potty. If you find you are the parent who is experiencing this continuous mess, consider sitting in the bathroom with the child while they use the potty to ensure the emptying of the bladder and bowel are complete. Often, when we leave our children to achieve a task on their own, especially at age two, they fail to remember and are easily distracted by other activities.

Potty training for many parents is a challenging, yet, rewarding time. With the inevitable loss of diapers and pull-ups parents, like their children, are eager to achieve the potty training challenge and move forward into a more budget friendly child raising experience.