Potty Training Guide for Parents

If you are the parent of a child who is at least a year old, you should begin to heighten your observance of her "pottying" behavior. Most children (but not all) begin to demonstrate potty awareness shortly after their first birthday, or when they walk more than they crawl. Some children will actually approach the parent or caretaker and complain of a wet or soiled diaper. Take the hint! This is the time to make a comfortable potty available. Parents might want to take a child to the potty or purchase a toddler potty and explain that this is where we potty. Encourage use of potty words - whatever words you, as parents, choose.

Like everything else in parenting, consistency is crucial.

-Be sure all caretakers are on the same page. Adult confusion will spawn confusion in the child.

-Create a potty routine every 2 or 3 hours during the day. If your child is in daycare, check to see if this is done or can be done. After the evening meal, limit the amount of liquid so the child has a chance to make it through the night dry.

-Keep potty time upbeat and fun as you encourage the child to remove her own diaper (with your help) and sit comfortably on the potty. Notice what a big girl or boy you have!

-Sing a few songs or do some finger plays to help make this a positive and fun parent/child time.

-If elimination occurs, celebrate! If not, it's OK! Maybe next time. A sticker chart is often helpful to keep a record of accomplishments.

Bowel movements sometimes prove to be major obstacles. One practice that often helps, is to show the child what happens by using a soiled diaper, putting the BM into a potty and allowing the child to flush it away. Some children are fearful of losing a "part of themselves," or think it might hurt. This fear can often be assuaged by allowing them to see it go away.

Potty training is a major evidence of the child's emerging awareness of self. Often, difficulty develops when the child is not afforded the opportunity to take this step developmentally and grows comfortable with the soiled diaper. The older they are, the longer they've known dirty diapers, and the harder it can be to dissuade them of this practice. The child will make a way to demonstrate her ability and desire to learn. If the child has the cognitive awareness of wetting or dirtying her diaper (again, this can be as early as a year old), she is ready and eager to learn where "big" kids potty. Be positive and nurturing even if it's a false alarm.

Parents are always the best teachers, and the achievement of this, or any milestone is certainly worthy of whatever time it may cost. Many children can be trained in as little as a few days or a long weekend with consistency and dedication. Your child is naturally eager to please you and exercise her growing independence. Enjoy the various stages and stepping stones of her development, even potty training.