I wish I could get someone else to potty train my child. There. I said it. It might be my very least favorite part of parenting. I’m so grateful that the peer pressure potty training technique of my sons’ preschool has been so successful. It seems that nothing can motivate a toddler like the opportunity to sit on the potty with his friends – AT THE SAME TIME IN THE SAME ROOM! Placing three little bums on three little potties in a row is genius in my book.
If only the preschool staff made house-calls to deal with the overnight situations or the out-and-about errands. Oh well, I guess I have to conquer some of these tasks on my own.
Here are 5 universal truths about potty training I’ve gleaned from my half-hearted participation in the toilet education of my own children.
You can lead a toddler to the toilet, but you can’t make her pee.
Yes, I have observed that children do it when they’re ready. It will never be on my own time-table, and I’m a control freak, so this one really hurts
When you ask, “Do you have to pee?” most children will lie to you.
I have asked this very question seconds before my child has wet himself in the car seat and on the couch. Ugh and ugh.
Sweatpants are your friend.
For quick potty runs, it helps toddlers to have pants they can pull up and down on their own-- and quickly.
Candy and stickers will only get you so far.
I am not above bribing my child for the desired result, although I do think we need to be careful not to throw a parade for every deposit in the toilet. (When does it end? Will they ask their Kindergarten teachers for M&Ms? Their college roommates?) Wishing for a one-size-fits-all approach, I have been dis
appointed to learn that some personality types love the sticker chart and candy bribes while others could care less.
The range of normal is broad.
Wondering when your child will stop needing diapers at night? I just learned that between age 3 and 7 is considered normal. That’s pretty wide open, but should offer you some comfort if you find yourself tossing a package of pull-ups into your shopping cart for the same kid who correctly read “Gun Show Coming Soon” from a highway billboard
My only real tip after my battle-scarred journey down the potty training path is to offer opportunity and don’t force the issue. Children can smell your anxiety and pressure and they rebel against it.
Do you have any tips or lessons learned to share?
By Heather from rookiemoms.com
[photo credit: Child Care Learning, Ontario]
