Parents’ potty training experiences
MAKING the big transition from diaper-dependent to potty trained can be difficult for toddlers and stressful for parents, especially when the children just won’t get it right. How can you help your child to leave diaper world?
This week parents share the steps they took to successfully potty train their children.
Michelle:
I have a son and potty training for me was very hard until I did my research. My son, who was just over two at the time, loved winning, and since I didn’t have the tool to show him how it actually works, I made it into a game. Whenever he came to me pointing to a dirty diaper, I would take away something from him and I would let him know why. I showed him also that when he sat on the commode, usually to do number two, he would get something. I bought a book of Superman stickers and he was rewarded every time he remembered that he was no longer supposed to use the diaper. Pretty soon he just started going all by himself without bringing my attention to it, but when he was through he demanded his sticker.
Kadie:
She started showing interest in the potty at about 15 months. Whenever I was using the toilet, she would stand there just so she could flush it when I was through. In fact, she seemed fascinated doing it. So I bought her a potty. Every half hour or so I pointed to the bathroom and asked if she wanted to go. Sure enough, the first few times she just wanted to flush the toilet, but as the days passed she started getting it right. To encourage her during the process I bought panties with her favourite characters, and nobody could get close to them. I recall taking too long one morning to ease out of bed and she rushed to the bathroom, grabbed her potty, and sat next to the bed with me.
Dayne:
Well, from day one, I knew I had my part to play in every major learning experience my son was to have. So when his mommy said that it was that time, I hastily chose to help him master number one. They say children are great imitators, and that I proved with Max. Every time I wanted to pee I would say it out loud, and afterwards would take him and his commode to the bathroom, set it close to the toilet, and encourage him to pee. The first few times didn’t go so well, but less than a week later he did exactly what we wanted. Before you knew it, he started saying it out loud so that I would accompany him.
Samantha:
I successfully potty trained my child by letting him wear briefs at home when he was one year and three months old. When I was at home, I’d constantly ask him if he wanted to do number one or number two. If he said yes, even if he just went, I would still encourage him to sit on it if even for a few minutes. When I was not at home, whoever was taking care of him would do the same thing and I would try the same when we were on the road even though it was often very difficult. In about nine days he was managing his routine on his own and doing well. It was a little stressful, but Adi is a smart boy and he made it fun.
Latty:
With potty training, patience is important. Nelly didn’t want to try anything until she was about two. She ripped off the diaper, and almost every time someone headed to the bathroom she called out to them or tried to get in. I took out her potty and allowed her to copy even when she did nothing. I allowed her to sit and wipe. The first day she did number two she was excited. I had to take the potty from her so she wouldn’t try to show it to everyone. Two weeks later she started trying the adult toilet. I think she felt left out since hers couldn’t flush.
