Potty Training

When potty training your child you may find that using a potty training seat will make the experience easier and maybe even fun. As a child, they wish to have their own things even when it comes to their own potty. There are some potty training books and videos that will be a blast for your children to enjoy while they learn to do it on their own. The majority children show signs of inclination to begin using the toilet as toddlers, usually between 18 months and 3 years of age. These signs consist of staying dry for at least 2 hours at a time, having ordinary bowel movements, being able to follow straight forward instructions, being uncomfortable with dirty diapers and wanting them to be changed, asking to use the potty training chair, or asking to wear regular big kid underwear. 

You should also be able to tell when your child is about to urinate or have a bowel movement by his facial expressions, posture or by what he says before they are about to go. If your child has begun to tell you about having a dirty diaper you should commend him for telling you and encourage him to tell you when he needs to go the next time. You should choose a potty training chair once your child has shown that he is ready to begin toilet training. You can have him garnish it with stickers and sit on it with his clothes on to watch TV, etc. to help him get used to it and being comfortable and not embarrassed. Whenever your child shows warning signs of having to urinate or have a bowel movement you should ask him if he wants to use the potty or take him to the potty training chair and explain to him what you want him to do. 

Only keep him seated for a few minutes at a time though, do not use the training seat as a form of punishment and certainly don’t make the potty experience an anxiety for them. Until he is going in the toilet, you can try to empty his dirty diapers into his potty chair to help reveal what you want him to do. There are some things to avoid when toilet training your child are beginning during a stressful time or period of change in the family (moving, new baby, etc.), pushing your child too quick, and punishing mistakes (treat accidents and mistakes lightly). Be sure to go at your child's pace and show strong support and praise when he is doing well.