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Positive Potty Training in 10 Easy Steps
(Well, at east my very ambitious wish)
My daughter is 2 years old now, but using potty for something other than “a chair substitute” still looks like “too much to wish for”. Friends and relatives give me mixed opinions on is it too early or too late (my mum) to initiate a proper potty-training. However I am positive about it and I am staring as of today!
So here is my very positive potty-training plan. –
Before even staring I had to make sure my little girl is ready. She was, because:
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She is able to hold urine for long periods of time
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She knows when urination or bowels movements are about to start
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She is capable of pulling her pants up and down by herself
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She is big enough to say she needs to use the potty in between all other funny and very important things she needs to say
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She tries to imitate us in everything we do, so hopefully she will follow me in using the toilet
Little bit of preparation for me in advance includes those toilet-training essentials:
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Getting one of those brilliant eco-friendly potties – BecoPotty. This one is made from rice husks, a waste product of rice farming and is not only 100% sustainable to produce but also biodegradable once finished with. The big and fantastic difference is that once it is disposed of in landfill or a compost heap, the BecoPotty will break down naturally within 3-5 years. -
Buying potty-training pants. My choice is for the “green” and ever-loved Imse Vimse training pants. They have two layers of absorbent terry fabric and a layer of PUL, which protects clothes from getting wet when small accidents happen, made from lovely soft Organic Cotton. -
Travel potty for when out and about
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Antibacterial wipes for public toilet seats, and hand gel, in case there is no soap.
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Arm myself with patience and positive attitude
Step 1 Explain. Start by explaining what potty is, why we use it and all the benefits for the kid like being dry, having a chance to wear those fancy pants and say “Good Bye” to the bulky nappies! Conversation is my way to start everything, and not just doing something “because I said so”. I know that even a 2-year old toddler appreciate treating her with respect, so when I talk to her she seems to be much supportive of my cause!
Step 2 Make it fun. Introduce a sticker chart. To encourage her “not to forget” to use her potty, my plan is to get funny stickers with her favourite friends from In the Night Garden or some colourful flowers and butterflies, and to mark every success by placing one of them on the sticker chart. The more stickers she gets the more fun! And a step forward for mummy.
Step 3 Consistency. What I already realised is that potty-training would never be a success if my efforts are not consistent. Using the potty at home, but not using it when out-and-about? Or even worse – the nursery would not support you in your efforts to toilet-train? This is not great, as the child gets confused. So everyone should be on one side on this, so speaking to the nursery when considering potty-training is essential. Also getting all equipment for the potty-training in different environment prepared in advance is crucial, too.
Step 4 Set-up a good example. Never forget that kids tend to copy us in everything we do – good or bad. So rather than sneaking out of the room when I go to the bathroom, I would explain what I am going to do and why. Seeing mummy and daddy using the toilet will encourage her to do the same. Hopefully.
Step 5 Encourage. Every success should be encouraged by saying “well done” without making too big fuss of it (at the end of the day she needs to get used to the routine and not to expect her mum being over the moon every time she pees in the potty). In case of accidents, saying “don’t worry, you’ll do better next time” is fine.
Step 6 Avoid stressful environment. What is she gets sick, teething or if need to join a new dancing class/ nursery, etc? All those changes in her daily routine may add additional stress to her. So as much as consistency is important, potty-training could be put on hold for a day or two when the child is unwell or if in a stressful environment.
Step 7 Get her friends to join. I am talking about her teddy-bear, of course. An old box is ready to play the teddy-bear’s potty, so when the teddy-bear does a poo, everyone make big noise, clap hands and say “well done! Feeling a bit jealous or just forced by her desire to copy, she will soon start using her potty to get my approval and to share the joy!
Step 8 Special time. Make potty-training special and fun without turning it into a game itself. It is fine to show her using potty could be fun, but there is a danger of shifting the main purpose of the potty so the kid prefers to use it as a “chair” to sit, read books, play with her dolls, etc. I am talking from experience – at least is good when people learn from their mistakes.
Step 9 All too often, parents get very stressed over potty training. Yes, it must be done, but it doesn't have to be done right this minute. Try to ignore the unsolicited advice that you are certain to get from well-meaning friends and relatives. Your child will get potty trained -- when the time is right for them and for you.
Step 10 Night-time training. I would leave it for the last part of the potty-training. Once I am confident she has mastered daytime potty training, it is time to work on dry nights. The main thing is to establish calm evenings at house as I’ve read this not only helps kids to fall asleep easily but also helps them to stay dry at night. (Apparently, studies show that when kids are excited, they produce more urine.) Another obvious tip – I would limit drinking in the hour or so before bedtime and encourage my girl to use the potty one last time before heading off to bed. Well, investing in a waterproof mattress cover is a must in case accidents happen.
Happy potty-training to you, too!
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