Potty training your child marks a major step toward their independence. While you may have heard many different stories about other people’s potty training experiences, it is important to remember that training your child should always be done by taking your child’s personality into consideration. To help you with this major milestone, here are ten tips to get your child potty trained.

1. Wait until your child begins to show signs that they are ready.
2. Keep the potty in a convenient location where your child can get to it quickly. continue reading this entry »

Potty training can be one of the most difficult and challenging parts of raising a child. Whether they’ve outgrown diapers or you simply think they are ready to start using the bathroom, it could be time to start potty training. Potty training can begin at various ages depending upon the child and their will to want to learn how to use the toilet. Some children may want to learn sooner than others due to having older children in the house who use the potty and when wet or dirty diapers become continue reading this entry »

There are many things you need to know before potty training your child. First, you need to know a few things about your individual child. Does the child tell you right away when they are wet or dirty? Does the child show interest in using the potty? These are important signs that let you know that your child is truly ready to potty train. If your child is not showing these signs, it is probably best to wait.

Potty training too early can result in backsliding later on in the child’s life. You may also have trouble with continue reading this entry »

Learning to use the potty is an important and exciting milestone for a toddler, and having a relaxed and excited atitude will make the process easier and more fun for everyone. Follow these tips to help you along.

1.Set up an inviting environment. For a toddler, the bathroom is an exciting place! From the sound of the toilet flushing to the roll of toilet paper, it is all new to a toddler. Use this to your advantage by making the bathroom an inviting place for your toddler. Let continue reading this entry »

Bribery Works!
You just have to find the right bribe. One parent used Mini M&M’s to great success, giving 3 for pee and 5 for 2. Another mom used stickers, lining them up on her child’s shirt like a general’s medals to show off to daddy when he came home. Nothing worked for one mom’s child, until she began giving HotWheel cars for 2 because her child loved cars.

Figuring Out Why They Won’t.
A doctor explained to one little boy’s continue reading this entry »

So you have done the potty dance. You have bought the most beautiful princess panties for your little girl. Or you have purchased big boy underwear with super heroes for your little man. You give stickers, or M&M’s and get all excited when your child finally uses the potty. After months and months of trying, you child is still having accidents. You are at your wit’s end and wonder what you are doing wrong. Don’t worry, you continue reading this entry »

Potty training usually takes months, so it often overlaps with older kids’ events like sporting games or even Spring Break. Here are a few helpful tips to prepare you to care for your potty-training youngster while you’re away on family vacation…
Pack plenty of back up. It may seem obvious, but it’s important to have tons of diapers and changes of clothes when you go away, even if your child seems through the worst stages of potty training. Any disruption in their routine can cause backsliding, so don’t expect your toddler’s potty etiquette to continue reading this entry »

If you get yourself all worked up in advance of the potty training process chances are it’s going to be a whole lot more difficult than it needs to be. Trust us, it can be as easy as 1-2-3 if you follow these tips and remember to not deviate from them, and always repeat them. Teach. Show. And Do. It’s that simple. Honestly.

1. Teach your child in advance of the training that going to the bathroom is normal, natural and expected. If they ask seemingly embarrassing (or downright funny) questions like “does Aunt Sophie poop?” or “Does Mr. Ellis have a penis?” answer honestly. This is the time to instill communication without judgment since you’re going to be teaching your child to communicate with you when the urge hits. Use all of these questions as continue reading this entry »

With Christmas fast approaching there are going to be a lot of distractions for your little one during the coming weeks. By recognizing this now you’ll be best prepared to handle accidents that might arise when you’re at Grandma’s house on Christmas morning. Just because they’re will be a lot of activity and distractions it does not mean that you should ignore the practices that you’ve been working on at home. If you have a potty chair that you’ve been using, make sure you bring it with you and show your child where it is located in the new home he or she may be visiting. If there have been special books or toys reserved for “potty time” make sure these come along with you, as well. If you have been “checking in” with your child after meals to suggest going potty, make sure this same practice is adhered to when away from home. Also, keep in mind that you child might be eating and drinking different foods from their usual diet, and these might contribute to some “off” timing of urgency. Sure, there’s going to be distractions, but now is not the time to let progress backslide in the name of the holidays.

It can be frustrating when your child isn’t willing to potty train. At times like this, it’s helpful to call in the experts. So we have a few book recommendations that will help you through.Mommy I Have to go PottyBy Jan Faull, this training guide covers everything on potty training. From chapters like “when your plan for training doesn’t succeed” to “night training and bed wetting,” Faul leaves no lid unlifted. continue reading this entry »