Potty Training a Toddler

Oh boy. The baby seems all grown up and you think it's time for...potty training! Shudder, shudder. I guess I understand why potty training can be a really daunting task for most parents out there. When my elder brother had a baby and it was time to potty train her, my sister-in-law and he had nightmares with the thought of carrying forth the task successfully. I think they imagined a little too much and re-lived scenes from Turner and Hooch, (replacing the kid with the dog, of course) over and over in their mind...BUT as it turns out, it was all good in the end. The little tyke was trained perfectly and no one remembered any 'mishaps'.

Now the reason they were able to potty train a toddler so successfully was because my aunt (who's a pediatrician, by the way, convenient huh?) gave them these really awesome tips for potty training the baby. And, and, and...I'm going to share them with you! So whenever you are ready.

Potty Training Toddlers

Potty training a toddler can not only get confusing, but extremely tiring as well. But if you follow these pointers, you should be able to do it without having to go through the trial and error method.

How to Start Potty Training
Start by talking about it. Get the kid into the idea of potty training first. Don't buy a potty, place it in front of her and say - Go! (I do exaggerate, yes.) Start getting her into the idea of using the potty. And do not by any means make it seem like a dreaded affair! It should be something that she should look at as an achievement.

Is There a Right Age?
Thankfully, no. There is no 'right' or 'wrong' baby potty training age. Although the average age is 18-24 months, many start potty training by the time they are 2 and others not until they are 4 even. So don't fret if the baby is just not ready. How will you know she's ready? Observe her mannerisms. She should be able to control her bladder, not urinate every 20-30 minutes, and when she does, there should be a considerable amount. Also check to see if she portrays signs of wanting to use the toilet or gets easily irritated with the feel of a wet diaper. Then you'll be able to know for sure that she's just as ready as you are.

How to go about the Process
Now that you already know when to start potty training a child, use the following list of tips for potty training toddlers:

• Make the potty 'HIS'. Give it the form of being his. Let him decorate it, let him buy it, and let him be in control of it.
• Help him/her at every step. Help with the pants, tell her how to sit on it, how to use it without feeling uncomfortable, say soothing and encouraging things to her.
• When it comes to giving tips for potty training boys, just remember to teach him to sit and practice before standing and trying it. Get the father to show him and he will want to follow.
• If the kid refuses initially, let her be. Use an indirect method like 'Telling people in the house what a good girl she is for using the potty'. When others praise her, she will want to try it again.
• Kids love to be praised! So praise them whenever they are successful at it.
• Also, rewards! These work like wonders at the starting of the process. They reinforce his/her actions and help him to associate potty training as a positive thing. Make sure to discontinue this after he gets the hang of it.
• Stop allowing diapers. This will discourage the baby to stop trying. Plus, he won't really like the feel of wet underwear so he'll learn faster.
• Even if there are potty training problems and mishaps, remember NEVER to scold her. That will only make her regress back a couple of steps (my brother did that and boy did they have to pay!)
• When it comes to potty training toddler boys or girls for the night, it really depends on their bladder control. Some learn to control the urge while others don't. Use a diaper initially or place a rubber mat under the bed. Over time, this will not be a problem and potty training at night will be a successful accomplishment.
• And finally...ALWAYS be there for them! Do not make them feel like they are in this alone.

Potty training a toddler can be a trying task if you don't know how, or have less patience. Now the tips I've taken care of, but the patience you'll just HAVE to develop. Time is all they need and a little encouragement. Can you do that then?