Tired of changing diapers all the time? As your child enters those toddler years, you’ll be embarking on the adventure of potty training. However, before you begin, you should make sure your child is indeed ready to ditch those diapers and make the transition to using the toilet.
There is no set age for potty training, but rather, a set of criteria that will help you decide if it’s the right time to start. Generally, when your child can tell you their diaper is wet or soiled, their diaper stays dry for longer stretches, they can physically pull their pants up or down, and they show an interest in the toilet, the stars are aligning for potty training.
Once those signs are there, here are the 5 must-do potty training tips you need to know!
1. Start up the potty talk
Before you ever sit them down on the potty, start talking about it. Books about potty training can be introduced as early as 18 months, though don’t expect your little one to take to the toilet at that point. This will help them become familiar with using the toilet once they’re ready to start.
2. Be realistic with your expectations
You won’t be successful if you force things. Stop looking at the age other kids you know started using the potty and using it as a measuring stick. You don’t want to push them onto the potty too early or else it could backfire and make the process take longer, and more stressful for you and your child.
3. Always keep a positive attitude
No parent ever wants to clean up a mess or add a ton of extra laundry to their day. But if you show disappointment, your child will only become more tense about potty training. It takes practice for them to get it right. In the meantime, practice your patience and work on being encouraging instead.
4. Prepare for accidents
Even with children that seem excited about potty training, accidents can and do happen. At home, it’s easier to be on top of things if you have extra underwear and bottoms ready to grab. When you’re on the go though, make sure you always have an emergency change of clothes, plastic bags to hold the wet stuff, and plenty of wipes. Always be prepared and things will go more smoothly.
5. Let your child have a say
When you’re talking about potty training before you even begin, you’ll want to get the right tools. There are seats you can put on top of your toilet seat that make it easier for little ones to fit without worrying about falling in or those smaller stand-alone plastic potties. Ask your child which kind they’d prefer, or buy one of each. Let them choose the color and style as they will be much more eager to use it if they like it.
With potty training, one of the most important things to remember is that it’s often two steps forward and two steps back. But before you know it, they’ll be getting the hang of it and you’ll be able to say goodbye to those diapers!
