How to Potty Train in One Weekend
|
|
Is your child ready to potty train? With a positive attitude, consistency, love, and patience you
can potty train your little one successfully in one weekend.
Potty training can be a difficult and frustrating process if you are in the wrong frame of mind. Projecting a positive attitude not only helps keep you positive; it can help your little one relax and be more comfortable with the idea of using the toilet. A child can become confused and afraid of the toilet when an adult shows frustration during potty training. Using words with a negative connotation, such as “dirty” or “icky,” can hinder the child’s progress as well. Potty training is a major milestone in a child’s life. Set your child up for success, so that together you can achieve this special goal.
Consistency is the key to successful potty training. This is one of the most important times of your life to be consistent. Consistency means constantly adhering to the same principles. Once you begin the potty training process, you must stick with it. You may get frustrated or tired of the constant trips to the bathroom, but you have to remain consistent. The constant repetition in the potty training process is what makes the process work. Repetition enables young minds to grasp new concepts and learn new abilities. Even if you get bored silly while potty training, stick with it; it is so worth it!
Does your child exhibit an interest in using the toilet? Maybe your child is interested in what other family members are doing with the toilet. If so, this is the perfect time to start explaining what a toilet is and what it does. Help your child become comfortable around the toilet, so the toilet does not become an object of fear. Children need to relax to use the toilet, so it is important that the toilet is viewed as a good thing.
Potty training does not have a certain age as a prerequisite. The age in which a child is ready to start potty training varies. Most children are ready between the ages of 15 months to 2 ½ years of age. If your child does not fall into this range, do not worry. You know your child best. Children learn at different rates and that is perfectly fine. To get a better idea whether your child is ready, consider the following abilities:
• Asks to be changed; doesn’t like the feeling of a messy diaper.
• Expresses an interest in the bathroom. Asks what the toilet is, or wants to flush it.
• Talks about the toilet or potty.
• Wants to be a big girl or big boy; desires panties or underwear, rather than diapers.
• Understands the words yes and no.
• Enjoys positive affirmations, praise.
• Has a good attention span; attention does not wander too quickly.
• Imitates older siblings.
If your child shows at least four of these signs, then your child might be ready to start potty training. You should have a pretty good idea whether or not your child is ready. If the child is not ready, then you may want to wait a while to save the both of you some frustration.
Do you think the both of you are ready? If so, remember a positive attitude and consistent behavior is fundamental to the success of this endeavor. A little love and patience can make this a positive experience for everyone involved.
Before you begin the big Potty Training weekend, you need to gather a few supplies. Place a basket with some fun and interesting books near the toilet. Potty training books are an excellent addition to your selection. Choose a reward that you feel comfortable using for potty training. Rewards could be stickers, small candies, extra playtime, reading time, or game time, or any small, inexpensive prize. You will also need to have panties or underwear. Once you potty train, it is important to stay consistent by having your child wear underwear – no more diapers. Switching back and forth from underwear to diapers can be very confusing for a child. Children really enjoy wearing cute underwear; you may even want to let your child pick them out. Make sure to buy an adequate number of underwear, so that you can have a stash of clean underwear while potty training and beyond. There will be accidents at first, but that is expected. Soon your child will be accident free.
Choose a weekend that you will be able to focus all of your attention on potty training. It will be very helpful if you are able to stay at home for most of the weekend. Let your little one know that you are going to teach them how to use the potty this weekend, and let them know that they will not need baby diapers any more – they are a big kid now. Let your excitement ease any worries your child might have.
Let the potty training begin! When your child first wakes up, remind them that it is potty training weekend. Take them to the bathroom, and have them sit on the toilet. Talk about using the potty. You want them to feel relaxed, so that they will use the toilet. Read your child a fun book. There is a quick and easy tip you can use to help your child pee. Either turn the water on from the faucet until it just trickles or you make an “ssssss” sound yourself. That sound usually will help a child pee. Teach your child to wipe properly (front to back), so they do not spread germs. When either your child uses the toilet or you realize they do not need to (at least 5 minutes), let your child get off the toilet. Teach your child to wash their hands after using the toilet. Reward them for either a job well done or for doing such a great job trying. Never scold them for not using the potty or for having an accident. It’s time to put underwear on now.
Continue the potty training process every thirty minutes of the day. This part of the process is tedious. If you stick with it now though, you can potty train your child this weekend. Be sure to limit liquids in the evening to help prevent accidents. Some parents choose to use training pants in the evening until they are sure their child is done having accidents. Don’t worry; using training pants in the evening will not confuse your child. They understand that they might not wake up to use the bathroom while they are sleeping. Assure them that this is fine. Once your child is potty trained, they do often start waking up to use the bathroom. Remember, with a positive attitude, consistency, love, and patience you can potty train your little one successfully in one weekend. Good luck!
|
|
