Potty Training - Essential Tips for an Easy Time Training Your Children

Here’s the straight poop on potty training for parents facing the biggest bowl challenge of their parenting careers (so far):


Potty training requires patience – the kind that would qualify you for canonization. Setbacks, challenges, back-sliding and accidents are all normal, even for children who do “potty train in one day,” Crane says. Losing patience with your child or the process will only further frustrate you and upset your child, possibly to the point of rejecting the potty altogether.


Recognize the signs that your child is ready to be potty trained. If she dances, jumps up and down or grabs her private parts when she has to go, or pulls at her diaper when she’s soiled it, she may be ready to start training. She’ll also need to be able to stay clean and dry for three to five hours at a time. If she doesn’t show the signs, don’t push it. Waiting until the child is ready means better chances of success.


Making it fun can make your child more successful. Toddlers love to play and imagine, so turning the process into a game – one that involves incentives and rewards – can help, Crane says. Toddlers are less likely to resist if they enjoy the process, which is why the author’s “Potty Party” concept has proved popular with many parents and kids. Follow up the fun strategy with strong doses of positive reinforcement in the form of praise and rewards.


Be sure the potty fits the child. Most toddlers are too small to safely use adult toilets and it’s not unusual for them to be afraid to even try. Training potties to the rescue. Sure they’re conspicuous in your powder room and cleaning them can be worse than cleaning an adult toilet. But the scaled-down size of a training potty enhances the child’s safety and suits their sense of self better than an intimidating adult toilet.


Crane favors the Boon Potty Bench. “At just 7 inches high, it’s the perfect height for a toddler’s comfort level and the two enclosed side storage spaces come in handy for organizing potty training supplies,” she says. “It’s also easy to clean. The bowl part is a drawer that slides out quickly and easily. Dump it, clean it and slide it back into place.” The bench is available at Babies “R” Us and other retailers nationwide.

“Parents should remember not to stress themselves or their child over potty training,” Crane advises. “Your child will learn to use the potty at his own pace and in his own way.”

And when he does, don’t be embarrassed if you find yourself a little choked up as your child leaves his diapers – and babyhood – behind.