The marvel of being toilet trained is something wonderful. Each day, we are thankful that those around us can use the bathroom facilities. When you think about it, one should be impressed with the simple skills of learning how to use the toilet.
Parents often wonder how they can teach their little ones the skill of being potty trained.
To make the process easier, we have developed a recipe for parents to use. Yes,
that’s correct- a recipe. You use it for cooking, why not for potty training?
Before a child is ready to be potty trained, look for some common skills or behaviors. Children should feel comfortable around the toilet, hearing the toilet being flushed, and have a wonder about adults using the potty.
Now, onto the recipe:
Recipe for toilet training success
Ingredients:
- Physical development- Your child should be physically ready for potty training. Signs include being able to urinate a fair amount at one time, having regular bowel movements, and having “dry periods” (no wetting) for 3-4 hours. Children should also be able to walk or run steadily.
- Willingness to learn- Children should exhibit some of the following characteristics showing he or she is willing to use the potty. She should dislike the feeling of having a dirty or wet diaper. Most likely, she will ask to use the potty chair. She should feel comfortable flushing the toilet and have no fear about the sound of the flush. She should be able to pull up and down her pants and underwear. Children ready to use the potty will also sit down for 2-5 minutes at a time.
- Able to communicate- A child ready to use the potty will also be a good communicator. She should be able to understand and follow simple directions; know where things belong like the toilet paper; and process words representing urine and bowel movements/ stool. Your child should also be able to tell you she is ready to use the potty.
Instructions: Mix the above ingredients together. Use a large amount of practice.
Recall, children need adults to be supportive. Never yell at your child for missing the potty or having an accident. As children learn, there will be accidents. Don’t fret if your child wets the bed or her pants. Instead, encourage her to try better next time.
Learning how to use the potty can take anywhere from 6-weeks to 1-year. Children are learning how to control their bodies, which is a great feat.
Guidance and support is the special ingredient for the recipe to turn out just right!
If any of the ingredients are missing, the recipe is less likely to work. Remember, no treat or persuasion will get a child potty trained. A child needs to learn at her own pace, in her own way, after all, it is her body.
Also, consider this fun letter – from your child’s perspective on being potty trained.
Dear Mommy and Daddy:
Being potty trained is a difficult task for me. I know that I need to use the bathroom but sometimes I miss. At times, it is hard for me to pull up and down my pants, and goodness those underwear can be difficult to get down. Sometimes, I will sit on the potty and nothing will come out. That’s okay- I am practicing. I will get it. Please be patient with me.
Whew, there is a lot to learn in this process. Not only do I need to master getting my pants and undies down and going, I also need to learn how to use the right amount of toilet paper, wipe correctly and put my used toilet paper in the potty. Then, after I get done, I must pull up my pants and underwear. I need to flush- sometimes this sounds scares me. I don’t want to be sucked in. Then, after I finish all of that, you tell me to wash and dry my hands. Wow, this is a long process!
Rest assured, learning this might take awhile, but I will get it. Most kids ask for help wiping up to 4 or 5-years of age. I might also do this and love the support you give me.
To make potty training easier on you and me, please wait until I am ready. You and I will know when the time is right!
As you can see, there is a lot of things to learn about using the potty. Please be patient with me as I learn.
Love,
Your Child.
