Trying to Potty Train?

Potty training can be a source of stress for everyone involved. As a parent, we feel we've changed enough diapers and it's time for our child to use the potty. As a child, they feel a diaper is where they should do their business and don't want to learn something new on top of all the other things they are learning each day. No matter what the age of your child, eventually they will use the toilet and the days of diapers will be in the past for your little one! Here are some great tips to ease the thought of using the potty into your child's mind!

Give your child free access to the potty. I would suggest purchasing a small toddler potty. These are great because they are just the right size for a small child. Fears such as falling in, and being flushed away are very common in children who are being potty trained. Adult toilets are very large for a child and can be intimidating. A little potty will give your child a feeling of ownership as the potty will be just for them. If the potty is out in the bathroom, the child will be comfortable with seeing it and become accustomed to it very quickly. Free access to the potty gives the child a sense of control in their world where they have control over very little.

You should never force your young child to use the potty. This will only lead to frustration in everyone. Children want to do things on their own time and have their own agendas. As a parent it is very easy to try to control your child, but this almost always backfires. A child that is forced to go on the potty will generally take a longer time to potty train than a child who is allowed to use the potty freely.

Another tip for potty training is role playing. Some people may feel uncomfortable allowing their child to see them on the toilet, but this can be very helpful to a child. Toddlers love to watch others and mimic their actions. If a child sees mom or dad using the toilet they will eventually be curious enough to try it out on their own.

There are many great potty training children's books on the market today. Very often they are tailored to a girl or boy and make a great gift for your child. Pictures and words can be very helpful when explaining the potty process to your child. Read the book often and your child will become more interested in the potty and the training process!

Celebrating every potty trip will achieve great success. Use rewards, songs, and even special events to get your child excited about using the potty. Children understand the reward system very early and love to celebrate something they did.

There are no perfect recipes for potty training success and each child is very different of course. These are just some great ideas to help you start the process and get your child excited about the potty. Try these tips with your child and watch for the results, and before you know it the diapers will be gone!