There is no strict age for when you should begin potty training your toddler. However, most experts recommend starting at about age two. Although it’s something that can prove to be challenging, it doesn’t have to be a miserable experience. Teaching your child to use the potty can be a fun and rewarding experience for all of you. IT’s all a matter of knowing the right tricks to get through to the other side.
Before you know it, you’ll be diaper free, and your little one will be using the potty in no time. Here are some of the best tips to get you through the experience.
Stay Consistent
It’s important to remember that once you begin, you have to stay consistent. A lot of parents making the mistake of starting and stopping which only creates bad habits. As a result, a lot of kids have ingrained habits like bedwetting which may even lead to requiring treatment later in life.
Therefore, it’s in your best interest to stick to a schedule and system. Some parents opt to only begin during certain hours of the day or a few days a week of “no diaper” time. Whatever method that you decide to start, you should stick to it no matter what.
Use a Reward System
Even though a lot of people who aren’t parents yet may say “I’ll never bribe my children!” they haven’t been through potty training yet. Rewarding your child for using the potty isn’t bribery, but positive reinforcement.
A lot of people have great success using potty charts which track the number of times the child successfully uses the toilet. After a certain amount of successfully going on the potty, they win a reward. This can be anything that your family chooses. From seeing a movie that they like, to getting an ice cream cone.
Waterproof Everything
While going through the process, you should waterproof all your mattresses and seat covers. The last thing that you need is pee and poop encrusted all over your beautiful furniture.
Buying a waterproof cover for everything is much less expensive than the cost of having to replace your couch and mattress.
Lead as Example
Show your child through example how to use the potty. Don’t be shy to invite them in when you use the toilet so that they can see how it’s done.
When you’re finished, you can get them involved by clapping for you, the same as you do for them. It creates a fun routine which makes it an exciting experience for them.
Get Fun Accessories
Try buying fun underwear or a special potty crown that they can put on their head while doing potty time. This turns it into a game which they’ll be much more enthusiastic about.
Originally posted on July 7, 2018 @ 12:57 pm
