Potty Training Accidents

Are you in the middle of potty training? Accidents driving you nuts? Don’t worry, you’re not alone!

When potty training your child, it’s perfectly reasonable to expect a certain number of   accidents. When your child doesn’t make it to the toilet on time, it is a good idea to leave them in their wet or sticky underwear, but only for a minute or two.

You do not want to punish them for their accident, or shame them for making a mistake, but you do want them to experience (and therefore learn) the difference between being dry and being dirty.

Again, potty training accidents are no reason to make your child feel bad, or rub their honest mistake in their innocent face. Speak to your child firmly and let them know that what has occurred is something you are working together to avoid.

Repeat your expectations (that you do not wish to have any potty training accidents) and make sure they clearly understand, but never use a mean or derogatory tone. This will only lead to hurt feelings at best and rebellion at worst (a rebellion on your hands due to an honest potty training accident could set you back and erase a lot of honest hard work!)

Try phrasing your lesson in a manner such as:Uh oh! You had an accident in your underwear. Now you’re wet. I’m sure that can’t feel good (shaking your head). That’s why you’re supposed to go in the potty! Okay, let’s go and get you cleaned up and try not to have any more accidents!

After a minute or so, ask your child to tell you where they are supposed to go to the potty. Ask them to repeat the phrase, “No more accidents!” We all learn well through repetition.

Potty training accidents are a normal part of the toilet training process. The key is to exhibit as much patience as possible and never allow your son or daughter to see the frustration on your face. Your child longs to please you, and if they know that their potty training accidents have made you unhappy, they may not understand the temporary nature of the situation.

Allow your child to provide the appropriate response, take advantage of the teachable moment, and then move on with your day without discussing the potty training accident any further. Unless of course another toilet training accident does occur, at which point you should repeat the above procedure.

And always remember to keep your patience in check. Potty training is a process, not an event. Think about it – do you know any adults who have yet to learn to properly use the potty? Do you know anyone in your family, or in your office, who regularly has potty training accidents?

Probably not! The key is to accept that potty training accidents are a natural part of the process and keep moving forward. Soon enough, your potty training adventure will be a thing of the past!

You can do it, we know you can!

Potty Training Power…AWAY!!!