Why Some People Potty Train in No Time at All

Sean November 19, 2009 - 1 Comment
Potty Training

A friend recently went through the realization that she had too many children in diapers and finally decided.

No More!

She has 5 children: 2 year old twin girls, a 3 year old son, a 4 year old daughter, and a 6 year old son. There is no grass growing under this friend’s feet, I can assure you.

She has had amazing success with her first two children and could potty train in no time, but child number three isn’t too thrilled about the attention the twins are demanding and now he is holding his ground and refusing to ditch those diapers.

It has grown into a power struggle, as he has quite clearly (both cognitively and physically) proven himself capable.

Here is how our friend trained her final 3 toddlers to potty train in no time at all.

1) Just do it. She immediately started the process with the twins and was able to see there is power in numbers. The 3 year old was not about to be outdone.

2) Keep your eye on the prize. She has a clear understanding of how liberating it is to finish the potty training process since she has two older children that she was able to successfully potty train in no time twice before.

3) Accentuate the positive. She was able to capitalize on the positives as her twins were working their way through the potty training process.

The older one is getting jealous, eager for positive praise himself, and quickly started to concede to the bathroom business.

4) Don’t fall victim to power struggles. Rather than getting into a power struggle with the three year, Mom simply treated him as she does the twins – as a work in progress, first getting the elimination of number one down and then working as a family to sway her son through positive specific compliments on the behaviors she most wishes to see.

For example, getting him to make number will take some coaxing, but the response he receives when the whole family praises his effort is the specific behavior to capitalize on.

5) teach ownership. Once it is established that HE is the big boy and making it happen in the potty, ownership takes the place of the power struggle.

6) Be Forgiving. Even if he has an oops, celebrate the fact that he is trying oract as if to move him along. Ensure that all caregivers are working toward a common goal.

7) Teach independence. Encourage the children to dress independently. This will not only boost their self esteem, but it will help to speed along the potty training process by putting them in charge of that which they can do themselves.

8) Capitalize on time. If you have vacation time or can build in a long weekend – go for it!

Consistency and time on task can be invaluable.

Yes, some people seem to have it made in the shade when it comes to potty training, but you can potty train in no time too.