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This is a nice list of potty training tips hosted at the “Mommy Notes” section of WSLS, from Roanoke, Virginia.
* Make potty training a top priority on a consistent basis when you have the emotional and physical energy to do it.
* Even if your child shows signs of potty training readiness, you may not be ready for it as a parent.
* Clear your schedule before training.
* Select a time to begin the potty training when your family’s routine is least likely to be disturbed with house guests, vacations away from home, a move, and so on.
* Make sure you’re not pre-occupied with other major commitments such as work, either.
* Long holiday weekends are ideal to start.
* Choose your words carefully.
* Decide what words you use to describe body parts, urine, and bowel movements.
* Avoid using words like “dirty,” “naughty,” or “stinky” to describe waste products.
* These negative terms can make your child feel ashamed and self-conscious.
* Treat urination and bowel movements in a simple, matter-of-fact manner.
* Explain the way things should be.
* At the start, explain to your child that it’s time to put her “pee-pee” and “poo- pee” in the potty.
* Tell your child that when s/he feels the need to go she should hold it in just long enough to walk to the potty, sit down, and let it go.
* Talk up the advantages.
* Talk to your child about the advantages of being trained: no more diaper rash, no more interruptions for diaper changing, and the pleasure of being clean and dry.
* Discuss training as an important stage of growing up.
* Use dolls or action figures.
* Sit your child’s favorite doll or action figure on a pretend toilet, explaining “the baby is going pee-pee in the potty.”
* Put diapers on his favorite stuffed bear. Then graduate the bear to underwear.
* Introduce a book or video.
* Present books and videos about toilet learning so your child can see other children learning to use the potty.
* These materials are available online or in your local bookstore.
* And just as some adults enjoy reading materials while sitting on the toilet, a toddler’s favorite books can help the minutes quickly pass.
* You can find links to mom-tested and recommended potty training books and videos by clicking here.
* Pick a potty day.
* Get a calendar and ask your child when s/he wants to begin to learn how to use the potty.
* Circle the date in a bright color and keep reminding her/him that “potty day” is almost here.
* Let the child pick out a potty or potty seat
* Check the seat. Watch for the tilting toilet seats.
* Some seats have a tendency to fall quickly when put upright.
* If the seat tilts or must be supported by hand, change it.
* The seat must be stay up so it doesn’t fall down and strike a boy’s penis when his is urinating standing up.
* If your toddler likes to unroll the toilet paper, try this. Before you put a new roll on the roller, squash the roll so that the cardboard roll inside is no longer round. This way, it will not unroll as fast.
* Also, little ones who are potty training will not get too much paper per tug on the roll.
* Giving praise will boost your child’s confidence, build self-esteem and help promote an environment for successful potty training.
* Keep it simple – Whether your child goes to the potty or not, praise her with a simple “good for you.”
* Try showing affection by giving them a big hug.
* Congratulate your child for staying dry.
* It’s helpful to check his/her pants every hour or so and let him/her know how great it is that s/he’s stayed dry.
* Some parents have even created elaborate song and dance routines to let their child know how pleased they are.
* Accentuate the positive.
* Be positive. Pour on the praise.
* Parents should recognize and applaud all the things that kids do right during the potty training process, instead of focusing on things children forget to do or haven’t done perfectly.
* For example, if children wash their hands, but forget to flush, parents should congratulate them on their nice, clean hands.
* Offer rewards (I called them “potty presents”)
* Tailor the reward system to fit children’s needs and personalities.
* Try giving your toddler a prize, such as a bright sticker or a tasty treat, each time your child successfully uses the potty.
* You can apply the sticker to the child’s arm or stick it on the potty itself.
* When the child collects a certain number of stickers, you could give them a surprise.
* Some parents promise trips to the toy store or even the amusement park.
* Be careful not to give rewards for each potty use or your child might expect them.
* If you are unsure about what will work as an incentive, ask your child what s/he would like as a reward.
* Gradually phase out the rewards as your child’s visits to the bathroom become routine.
* Keep in mind that rewards don’t always work
The original Mommy – Notes Potty Training Article can be found by clicking the link
