Is your child ready for potty training? Follow these dos and don’ts for making the task of potty training a child easier.These simple dos and don’ts are just a basic guideline to steer you in the right direction when it comes to potty training your kid. Just remember at the back of your mind that the potty training is a process that your kid will get used to in time.
Do Talk To Your Kid about Potty Training
Your child has to get used to the idea about
potty training before he or she actually starts off on the process. Start talking to your kid about potty training by the age of 15 months. Hoist your kid on the toilet seat and explain how it is used while you are taking a shower or getting dressed. When your kid is around 18 months old, read out paragraphs from potty training books or pamphlets aloud. You can also talk to your kid about potty training using their favourite cartoon characters as reference points.
Do Not Harbour False Expectations
Child behaviour experts say that a kid wills not potty train before he or she reaches the required developmental stage. Do not compare your kids to others as every child has a different developmental and growth pattern. Some children achieve full potty training in few days while others take more days. You should not have a fixed timeline for how long your kid should take to potty train. Forcing your kid will only scare him or her. Do not stress your child over potty training before he or she is emotionally ready.
Do Look out for Signs
As a parent you have to be on the lookout for signs from your kid. Your kid will display some common symptoms to indicate when he or she is
ready for potty training. The peeing and pooping pattern will regularize and discussions about the bathroom will be reciprocated. Make it perfectly clear to your kid that you are there to help when he or she is read to potty train. Think of yourself as cabin crew while your kid is the captain. You are there for providing information, support and necessary tools while showing the way should be mostly left to your kid.
Do Not Express Disappointment
Children are very sensitive and very few things are more distressing for them than letting their parents down. Telling your kid things like “your older brother potty trained so easily” is only going to give the younger kid an inferiority complex. Potty training is a big change for your kid so you need to be a source of support. If your kid makes mistakes in the learning process (as is bound to happen) accept those mistakes with brevity and grace. If you find yourself losing patience then remind yourself that potty training is a hard job but you will surely achieve success.
Do Have a Back up Kit
As mentioned earlier, accidents are bound to happen in the potty training process so it is better to be armed. Steel yourself for those moments when your kid might have a potty accident in a public washroom or a friend’s place. Make sure that you carry an extra bag filled with underwear, clothes change, training pant, diaper, wet wipes and sanitizers. Keep a favourite toy inside the bag too as your kid is likely to need comforting after the potty accident.
Do Talk To Your Paediatrician
Most paediatricians are experts when it comes to potty training. Do not shy away from asking the doctor about advice, tips and issue resolution. Make a mental list of potty training questions that you want to ask the doctor before your next visit. Future problems and aberrations in potty training
behaviour can be aptly pointed out by the doctor.
With a little patience and optimism you will definitely be able to successfully potty train your kid.
How to potty train children? What are the signs that a child is ready for potty training? At what age should parents start potty training a child? Discuss here.
