This time round with Jacob we have felt mentally more prepared for this journey and had massive successes with our most hated phase of toddlerhood.
We found there were some very important things you need to focus on when you begin potty training with your child.
Your child may be ready if they display the following signs:
- Your child does not like have a messy nappy.
- They can easily understand simple instruction.
- Children show interest in your bathroom habits.
- Communicate that they are ready to use the toilet.
- Can pull their own pants up and down.
- Have predictable bowel habits.
- Stays dry for long periods of time or are dry when they wake from sleeping.
Important Things to Remember
Let them Take the Lead
If your child seems to have no issues running around in a dirty nappy, it may not be time to start potty training. It is important to allow your children to take the lead when it comes to learning to use the toilet. Pay very close attention to their reactions when they have wet or soiled their diapers. If they show discomfort, or run off in private to do their business, your child may be ready to get started.
Make it a Positive Experience
Anxiety tends to make even the easiest things seem difficult, so it’s important when focusing on a difficult task like toilet training, that you remain positive. Kids easily pick up on the way you are feeling and if you are stressed out, chances are they will be too. Keeping potty training a positive thing rather than turning it into a negative experience, is incredibly important. Always remember to provide your kids with plenty of encouragement and praise when they have attempted to use the potty, gone an entire day without accidents or made potty progress in one way or another.
Remain Flexible
Do not give yourself or your child a strict timeline to achieve potty training success. Instead, remain flexible. Your child very well may make progress for a few days and then take a few steps back, this doesn’t mean give up, but it is important to remember that it is ok to take a break for a while. Neither one of you are failures, it just might not be the right time. Try again in a few weeks.
There is No Specific Way to Potty Train
Every child is different in their own way and while one child may respond to certain potty-training methods and techniques, another child may benefit from an entirely different approach. Make sure you come into potty training armed and ready with things that have worked for others and try different combinations of them until you find what works best for you and your little one.
Potty training doesn’t have to be a stressful experience. Just make sure that you are looking for the signs that your child is ready to begin. Always allow your little one to take the lead, involve yourself in a positive way and remain flexible. Finding the potty training methods that work best for you and your little one will make the experience much more positive allowing your child to be ready for big kid underwear without the stress.