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Don’t
be in a hurry to start. |
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It
is not necessarily less of a hassle to have a potty trained child.
Taking your child to the potty every half hour and wiping up puddles
is more hassle than changing nappies. |
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Rather
potty train at the right age than the right season – it is definitely
easier to potty train in summer, but if your child is too young, rather
wait till the next summer, or till she is really ready, whatever the
season. |
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Don’t
start potty training when there’s a new baby. Wait another half
a year. |
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Never
push, force, scold or become impatient (I know how hard this is, after
wiping the seventh puddle of the day.) |
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Star
charts can work well for kids close to three years of age. |
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If
you go on an outing, put the nappy on. Trying to reach the toilet
in time in a big shopping mall is just impossible. |
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Pull-up
pants seem like a good idea, but are very expensive and often end
up being wee-ed in anyway. As long as they are wearing anything absorbent,
they don't really seem to "get it". Didn't work for us.
|
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Start
with a potty, then get a special seat for the toilet. When they sit
on the toilet, they are gripping so tightly for fear of falling in,
that they can't really relax enough to let the wee or poo come out! |
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Don’t
try to leave the nighttime nappy off if your child is still drinking
bottles at night. Get rid of the bottle first! |
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Keep
your perspective: remember that wee is only salt water (with a bit
of a smell of course). |
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It
may look a bit common but it really is OK for toddlers to run around
naked at home and wee on the grass. (Yes, I know, you thought you’d
never allow it, but just let it be.) |
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Remember
that she will get it right eventually. |
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Keep
your sense of humour! |
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Some
toddlers are very easy to potty train, others take a very long time
(and lots of patience and practice). Take individual differences into
account. |
