Leane Potty training. Those words can often strike fear into the hearts of parents, myself included. I had heard countless stories about the challenges and accidents that come with this milestone. However, I am delighted to share that our potty learning journey has been surprisingly smooth sailing. In this blog post, I want to share with you the valuable lessons we’ve learned and the techniques that worked for us. So, if you’re embarking on this adventure or planning to in the future, keep reading! Here’s our story of potty learning.
Waiting for Readiness:
One essential tip we discovered is to wait until your child is ready. We introduced the concept of the potty early on, placing one in the living room since my little one turned two. We made sure to involve her in our bathroom routines, creating a sense of familiarity. By talking openly about using the bathroom and asking her if she needed to go while still in nappies, we helped her make the connection. Then, one fine morning, she surprised us by declaring that she wanted to use the potty and ditch the nappies. That was the moment our potty learning journey began, and it has been successful ever since.
Skip the pull-ups:
Avoiding pull-ups has been a game-changer for us. Instead, we opted for regular underwear, just like the ones I wear. By choosing underwear, my little one felt a stronger connection and could sense when they were wet. This association helped her understand the discomfort of wetting herself, motivating her to use the potty consistently. Unlike pull-ups, which can feel like a continuation of nappies, underwear created a tangible difference for her.
Positive Reinforcement:
Making potty training a positive experience has been instrumental in our journey. We celebrated every successful potty use with words of praise and encouragement. Personally, I found that rewards like chocolates or stickers didn’t resonate as strongly with my child. So, we focused on verbal appreciation and created fun songs about potty learning, which she absolutely loved. The key here is finding what motivates your child and using that to reinforce their progress.
No Force, Just Fun:
Forcing a child to use the potty never yields positive results. We learned this early on during our potty training journey and decided to take a more relaxed approach. We never set timers or pressured our little one to go. Instead, we let her lead the way and use the potty when she felt ready. By avoiding any negative associations, we ensured that potty learning remained an enjoyable and stress-free experience for her.
Preparation is Key:
Preparing before outings is an essential part of our routine. To ensure she got before leaving the house, we involved her toys in the process. Rather than simply telling her to go, we let her demonstrate to her toys how to use the potty. This interactive approach made her feel useful and helped her understand the importance of going before embarking on adventures. Another thing that really works for us is encouraging her to go at the same time I do; that way we can ensure that she goes before we go out anywhere.
Acknowledge and Involve:
When it comes to bowel movements, acknowledging their presence and involving your child in the process can be beneficial. We introduced the concept of saying hello to what was in the potty and saying goodbye when flushing it away. Though it might feel awkward in public restrooms, this simple act helped my child feel more comfortable with the entire process.
Be Prepared to Assist:
While independence is encouraged, there are times when children may need assistance. It’s crucial to be prepared to help your child when necessary, especially in the initial stages of potty learning. Sometimes my little one required help with various steps, such as removing clothing or sitting on the toilet. Being available and supportive during these times is key.
Let me know in the comments how your potty training journey is going!
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