Potty Training Tips

Potty training a child can be one the most daunting tasks a parent can face. It is essential in development, helping a child gain a sense of independence and accomplishment that they will revisit time after time, for many years. Although no two children are the same, generally they are ready to start trying to conquer the commode between the ages of two and three. There are many products on the market designed to assist you with this monumental event. As the father of an Autistic child, I have tried most, and found that they were a waste of time and money. I found that a few simple tricks and a calm demeanor won out over any fancy store bought item I have tried.

You will definitely need to use training pants of some sort. The thing to remember here is that you do not necessarily want your child to be comfortable if they have the inevitable "accident". The goal is to teach them to learn how to control their bodily functions, and use the toilet when urges hit. For this reason, I recommend not using the store bought disposable underwear. It can confuse a child by it's similarity to the diapers you are trying to be rid of. They are just as absorbent as a diaper, therefore making it difficult for the child to understand that they have "made a mess". It is human nature not to like the feel of being wet and/or dirty, so if you can make the connection clearly for your child, it will make the process that much easier for you both.

Training pants alone will not teach your child to learn to use the "potty." They need to be shown in the most basic way, so that they can understand what is happening when the urge "to go" strikes. I have found, as have many others, the simplest and quickest way is to let your child go natural, without any underwear or pants of any kind. The more layers of clothing they have to fight with, the less likely they are to fight with them. With nothing in between them and nature, you will find that they are more likely to use the bathroom proper. In addition, making this chore fun will also make it more appealing to your child - using Cheerios in the toilet bowl as target practice works excellent for boys, and a potty chair that plays a tune when they flush works great for both boys and girls.

Most important, remember to use lots of praise and encouragement. This is just as difficult and stressful for your child as it is for you, if not more so. Keeping a level head, making things fun and letting nature take its course will make this challenge as simple as 1-2-3!