Potty Training Tips

[SAHF]

Start the EARLY.

One Year Old:

When they are just turning 1, start sitting them on the training potty (5 times a day or more). EVEN if they do not have to go or have just went.

That is the best time to read a book to them (education and training at the same time :wink: ). Or if reading a book seems a little long for your little one....sing the ABC song or start them counting to 10. By the time you are done with the book or singing, 2-5 minutes have passed.

Praise with hugs, kisses, and clapping!

Older 1s Early 2s:

Start the reward system.

You will need to ask them CONSTANTLY if they have to go potty. I have learned that every hour, take them NO MATTER WHAT. You will soon learn their routine quickly on when they are ready to go.

If you take them and they go...let the praising begin. At this age, stickers seem to work the best. Give them a sticker to place on the calendar to show them how great they are doing. And when Mommy gets home, have them share their acheivements with Mommy (this will give them DOUBLE kudos and re-enforcement that they are doing a good job).

Early 2s Early 3s:

Now your hard work is paying off. You will start to see that they will tell you when they have to go (sometimes, they already went, but at least they are telling you).

The praises should be a little bigger and so should the rewards. I created a treasure chest filled with things from stickers, 4-8 M&M (small baggies-a little work on your part), and small trinkes from the local Dollar store.

The key thing is to keep them interested in the potty training portion. Make it fun and interesting!

My .02!

[Remington]

That is great advice. I am having trouble with my 2 year old son. My daughter learned in like 3 days and it was easy. When she went she would tell grammie and grampa and mommy and uncle Matt and uncle Aaron and Uncle Nathan and Uncle Sam and Uncle Josh. (We have a large extended family)...

It was the big thing when we went for dinner at grammie and grampas house to tell them how she went pottie. It was a real big accomplishment in their lives.

I believe that this stuff from the beginning helps shape a child's self worth and self esteem and confidence... and will also shape how they develop future coping skills.

[mjknapp]

What we did was make a giant poster board that we hung on the bathroom door, and everytime my daughter went potty she got to put a sticker on the #1 or the #2 side. When she had ten stickers on the potty side we took her out for ice cream, or chucky cheese.
But it was so easy to kindof forget about the stickers after she was doing good for a few months, the trick is to keep up with the stickers even after they are potty trained. Kids never forget. So keep the stickers up till it becomes second nature for them to use the potty.

[Remington]

That is a great idea and I may actually try that with my 2 year old son. :wink:

[tt3]

We've just started down this road. Any other advice? Rem, how's your son taking it? We got Tara some Dora undies, and she talks about them all the time. When she's ready to potty in the chair she gets her undies. Its not something we want to start over serious at this point, since her sister is due pretty much any day now, but gotta start sometime.

[Jackson's Dad]

For something that is such a big event for a kid, isn't it funny that we don't remember going through it ourselves? Funny.

[Indy]

...the trick is to keep up with the stickers even after they are potty trained.

So what you're saying is I'm owed about $12,000 in stickers? Wait 'till my mom hears about this! I may offer her a settlement of one sticker...attached to the window of a new car. :lol:

[Anonymous]

Just play it by ear. :?

[Remington]

I remember this topic from the summer! :D

My son has been potty trained now for quite some time. My daughter was so easy but with my son I went through many accidents and it was a long gruesome process.

What I suggest is duct taping them to the porcelain for 5 hours a day. After 5 minutes, if they haven't gone to the bathroom, you take a yardstick across their bare legs and repeat.



:lol: :lol:

Joke guys!

[Anonymous]

I read over the tips posted. Good suggestions. I am trying to get my 25 month old toilet trained as we also have a 5 month old. It certainly makes for a lot of spending on diapers and wipes in a month.

The problem I am having with my guy is that he's getting good at peeing in the toilet but its very hit and miss with pooping. He tends to go and hide, fill up his diaper and tell me what he's done. He doesn't seem to be on a consistent schedule for doing this, so its a challenge. With a 5 month old to, I can't devote my entire attention to just one of them.

We really want to get his out of diapers in the next month or so. Any recommendations?

[Lobster]

Sorry, new and forgot to log in ! It's Lobster who posted as 'Guest'

[Jackson's Dad]

...but its very hit and miss with pooping....

File this one under "Things You Don't Want to Hear".

[Richard of Chelmsford]

First time my son had a crap in his potty I took a photo of it and showed him the photo later.

He was so proud!

[Anonymous]

What kind of pot, one for little tykes or let them use the grown-up toilet?