Potty Training: 7 Tips to Make it Easier

Potty training can be one of the most stressful steps in child development. Often, it turns into a power struggle between parent and child. The parent expects results and the child refuses to comply. With these seven tips, potty training can be easier and quicker for all involved.

1. Wait until your child is ready.

There is often outside pressure for a parent to begin potty training. Stories from grandparents and friends about how their little sweethearts were potty trained before age two start making the rounds. The truth is, while some kids are potty trained early, most kids are around age three before potty training is complete.

You know your child better than anyone and if the typical signs of readiness aren't there then it is best to wait a few months longer until they are. These signs include being able to undress himself, having appropriate bathroom language, and showing signs of discomfort in wet and soiled diapers.

2. Dress your child in easy to remove clothing.

Once the signs of readiness are there, it will only hinder things if you child cannot undress himself because his clothing is too complicated. This is the time to say good-bye to those cute overalls, or any pants with buttons and zippers. Loose, elastic waist sweatpants are a good choice. Underwear and pants that are a size too big are easier for little hands to get up and down.

3. Say no to disposable pull-ups.

No matter what the diaper commercials will have you believe, absorbent pull-ups will only hinder your potty training efforts. The child will not feel when he is wet and will not be motivated to change to new potty habits. It is too easy to continue playing and pee in a pull-up without feeling any discomfort.

4. Be consistent.

Changing back and forth between cloth underwear and disposables pull-ups will confuse your child. It sends the mixed message that your child needs to use the potty at home, but can pee in his pull-up everywhere else. It can feel like a gamble in the first week of potty training to take your child out to the grocery store or library in underwear, but if you plan ahead, the trips out should go smoothly. Always have your child pee right before you leave. Sometimes, he won't have to, but if you get him in the habit of trying, then it will be easier in a week or two. Bring a change of clothes with you in case there is an accident. And, plan on a bathroom break half way through your outing. Learning where the bathrooms are and using them in public places will give your child potty training confidence.

5. Sit your child on the potty at regular intervals.

Every half hour to hour is usually a short enough interval to introduce your child to the potty. Often, potty schedules only have to be used for a few days to a week. Then, not only will your child start making it to the potty on his own, but you will begin noticing signs that your child has to potty. The typical potty dance, where a child shifts back and forth from foot to foot and holds or itches his groin is a sure sign that a bathroom break is needed.

6. Insist that your child help clean up any accidents.

Inevitably, there will be accidents. Some kids will have a few and others will have more. The important thing is to get your child to help in the clean up. Enlisting the child's help should be done in a simple, matter-of-fact way. Inform the child that he can take off his wet pants while you get some dry pants ready. Clean-up the floor, then hand your child the rag to finish. This step is important because it teaches the child to take responsibility for his own bathroom needs.

7. Relax and keep your sense of humor.

Probably the most difficult part of potty training is to remember that it is not about you. Many power struggles could be avoided if the parent encouraged the child to potty, but then backed off and let the child do it. Offer praise when the child has a success, but don't punish or berate the child for accidents. Keep the mood light and be proud of your child for reaching this milestone!