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 »

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 »

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 »

There are three moments in a parent’s life that are scarier than most: The first date during the teen years, explaining about the birds and the bees, and finally, potty training. Thanks to Parents Magazine, that last step just got easier. The magazine offers 8 suggestions that will keep you from going crazy!1. The porta pottyNot like the sani-cans you find at festivals and construction sites, but rather, a potty you take with you on trips. Going out doesn’t mean your child has to relapse back into the diaper days. Take a potty with you and continue the training discretely. continue reading this entry »