Potty Time

Every  parent's 4-letter-word: potty training! 

It's messy, & it takes way too much work. But I got my little Azariah [Az-uh-rye-uh] Parker potty trained within a week. (YAYYY! No more diapers for his chunky bottom! )

Here are my methods:

(I should add that I've also worked in the potty training room at a daycare for year; you can trust me.)

1. BE READY

My way is cost effective, but messy & takes consistency. Don't start then stop, it'll take longer & confuse the child. So you have to commit! And ensure everyone around your child is committed as well. 

For an example: Don't start if the daycare can't start potty training them yet. This will confuse most children, and make the process take longer. 

2. MAKE SURE THEY ARE READY

They have to be able to communicate some type of way. And I don't start training kids until they know what pee and poop is. Most children have obvious signs: asking, watching, taking off diapers, peeing in the floor, etc. to let you know they are ready.

3. GET STARTED

My universal tips: 

1.) Clear a weekend (or a few days); once you start you are not going to want to take your child out for a few days, and you probably aren't going to want company.

2.) Buy underwear & pull-ups, and be prepared for a bottomless baby.

3.) Be consistent. I've said it before, I will say it again: you need to be consistent with this. I'm talking true dedication!

4.) Every child pretty much starts the same: 

You tell them to go potty & show them the ropes. You have to be patient waiting for the first pee in the toilet with some, and others will act like they were born to potty (lucky you)! I sent my children (and class) to their first potty about 20 minutes after breakfast. 

Days 1 to 3: I leave my children naked while they get the hang of it, and let them sleep in pull-ups (or diapers). 

Days 4-7: I move them into underwear all day, and allow them to continue sleeping in pull-ups (or diapers). (This step may take longer, I always made sure they had at least 2 good days before moving on.)

Day 8: they are in underwear all day and night.  I suggest cutting off drinks 2-3 hours before bedtime, and sending them to the bathroom before bed. I would also wake them up to potty anytime you're up at night, just until they get used to going to the bathroom when they get the urge. 

4. WHICH ONE IS YOUR CHILD? PICK A CATEGORY (OR 2 OR 3)

You may have to mix and match to see what works best for your child. But these tips will make potty training go more smoothly for both of you! And they help speed up the process...

A. Attention seeker - this kid loves attention. As a wise man once said "any attention is better than no attention" . Good or bad, this kid wants attention

This child will usually respond well to praising the good and ignoring the bad.

When accidents happen: change their clothes, have them help clean their mess, and keep going on like nothing ever happened. Remind them to pee in the potty, but do it in a monotonous way.

When they use the potty correctly, have a bathroom party.

B. Mommy's/Daddy's Baby - Mommy's Boys, Daddy's boys, Mommy's girls, Daddy's girls, even Grandma's boys. (Most children fit somewhere under this category, but there are a few independent babies out there!)

Let them follow their hero to the potty, and encourage them "See, Mommy goes pee in the potty too." or "look Daddy's a big boy; he's going potty", and also try to get them to go after you. Praise is a big one for this one too- especially if it's from the one they look up to the most.

When accidents happen: don't scold. Encourage them to help clean it up, and gently (yet firmly) remind them where we go potty.

My oldest falls in this category, and it is a bit difference if there is a mix of gender. He still sits on the potty, and wipes after peeing. He's been potty trained over a year now. (You pick your battles; I'll pick mine).

C. Praise lovers - Any time there is clapping, stickers, or a prize this child is all for it! They are the easiest to please, and to potty train.

It's simple: love praise, don't like being scolded.

When they potty: have a bathroom party, clap, hand out jelly beans, let them watch their favorite movie, give them milk. Give them stickers, lollipops, candy, fruit loops, cheerios, books, toys, claps, cheers, whatever makes them happy! 

At the daycare, my students loved to dance! I've literally played songs after they went potty! Get creative, and use whatever works for your child.

For accidents: scold & make them help clean.

D. Independent - Whenever they can do something alone, they are pleased. This child is the hardest to potty train

Sadly, no bathroom parties here.

Independent children are usually independent learners. You are basically going to show them the ropes, and let them go on their own. Ask them if they have to potty, and then send them. Ask follow up questions "did you wipe?", "did you wash your hands?" and give them encouragement & small praises such as stickers, high fives, or an "awesome job!"

Be interested and encouraging, but laid back.

With messes, say things like " try to make it to the potty next time". From what I've seen the independent child has the most messes, and, sometimes learns a bit slower. But the look on their faces when they finally get it is priceless. So be patient.

E. Anxious - Some children show anxiety symptoms when it's time to actually use the potty

Be prepared to talk and encourage.

The same method you would use for talking someone of the ledge, you will use for them. They may require for you to be with them every step of the way. So go potty with them, praise them when they do go potty, and remind them of past times that they've gone. Phrases like "see, it's not so hard." and "I knew you could do it!" really take flight with them.

During accidents: ask them to help clean (even if they enjoy cleaning), and encourage them to keep trying. Phrases like "accidents happen" help. If the child is anxious, scolding will only worsen their anxiety.

But the more they potty, the more they will come out of it.  They just have to adjust. 

F. Hard headed - I myself have one of these. The opposite of what I say, Azariah does.

My little Parker threw this former daycare teacher for a loop, so I made another category. I'm going to go over what worked for him.

He had to be escorted to the bathroom, because he told me "no" or "I don't want to" every time I asked. So for this child, I recommend paying attention. Escort them to the bathroom door, and keep an eye on them. But you don't  have to go in with them; they'll appreciate the trust (even if it's completely false). I was close enough to praise correct potty usage, and scold him trying to throw toilet paper in the tub.

For messes: he cleaned them up alone, and then sat on the potty for 2-3 minutes. (While he was on the potty, I'd go behind him and clean his mess up correctly.) Making him sit on the potty made him realize he was going to have to go potty either way. I'd also ask him, over & over; " where do we pee pee?" & "Where do we poo poo?" . Paired with consistency, repetition helped a lot with him! But now we have conquered, and moved on to dressing ourselves ( yeesh)! 

There is no "easy" way to potty train, and accidents will happen! I woke up to a wet toddler this morning, but it comes with the territory.  If you're anything like me you would happily trade daily poop diapers for an occasional load of soiled laundry. So don't give up!!