Potty Training-a Simple 4 Step Formula For
Initiating Toilet Training
Author: Elena Neitlich

"I'm so done with diapers!" groans a mother as she looks at the
high price tag on the jumbo pack of diapers. "Is it time for my
child to start potty training?"

Potty training is a big milestone for children. But how do
parents know when to start? Intuition, expectations, common
sense and observation play key roles in initiating potty
training.

Step #1-Create a Parent/Child Team

Potty training is a combined effort between parent and child.
Some parents may assume that they are in charge, while other
parents place the child at the helm. In actuality, potty
training is a partnership. Parents provide support, potty
training tools, books, and dry clothing; children do the
"going."

Grasping the concept that potty training is a team effort
between parent and child, and not a command and control
situation, is critical to success. Strict, impatient pursuit of
the goal puts undo pressure on the child, resulting in stress,
anxiety and in some cases delayed potty training.

Step#2-Starting early doesn't ensure quick results

In depth research on intensive potty training has proven that
initiating the process early is in fact correlated to extended
duration of potty training. Those parents who start training
prematurely find that the potty training process lasts longer.

Children must develop bladder and muscle control before they
are able to control toileting. Parents may adhere to this rough
timeline of readiness: 15-18 months the child senses that his or
her clothes are wet; 18 months the child may urinate on the
potty if placed on it; 2- 2 1/2 years the child might alert the
parent that he has to go; and 3-4 years the child may have the
ability to "hold it" and visit the bathroom alone.

Step#3-Determine readiness by child's development

When deciding to begin the potty training process,
chronological age may not be the correct indicator for
readiness. The parent should look for signs that the child is
developmentally ready. This is especially true for babies who
were born prematurely and children who are developmentally
delayed.

Some good signs of readiness are: child can sit and walk well,
child can stay dry for 2 hours or more, child is interested in
doing what big kids or grownups do, child is able to follow and
execute simple instructions, and child seems to understand what
the potty is for and uses words relating to using the toilet.

Parents should assess the temperament of the child. Important
questions to ask are: is the child able to focus, what is her
attention span, does the child frustrate easily, is the child
easily angered or discouraged.

For most children potty training occurs between 2 and 3 years,
with the majority of children potty trained by 4.

Step#4-Go on now, go!

Today is the day! Parents should make sure that the child is in
good health, and that the household is calm with no impending
turmoil such as a move coming up, a new baby being brought home,
or a parent going away on a trip.

Dress the child in easy to remove clothing like sweat pants
with an elastic waist. Snaps, buttons and zippers are difficult
for little hands and time consuming to manipulate when the urge
arises. To reduce the pressure on the child, allow him to stay
in diapers during the early days of potty training. Gradually
transition him into underwear for short amounts of time as his
dry times become more and more extended.

After a meal, nap, or when coming in from outdoors are good
times to encourage the child to hop on the potty. Parents should
be on the look out for indicators of when the child may have the
urge to go.

Accompany the child to the potty and stay with him. The visit
to the bathroom should be short and sweet; five minutes is
plenty of time. Offer reading material, or use a fun potty
training tool or toy to make the five minutes engaging.
Important: if the child wants to get off of the potty before
five minutes, don't force him to stay.

Praise, praise, praise! Little milestones deserve lots of hugs
and kisses. It is really something for a little tyke to hop on
the potty by herself, pull up her own pants, or make it into the
bathroom (even if only to be a little late.) Be kind, patient,
sensitive and proud. Don't scold the child for having accidents,
ever.


About The Author: Elena Neitlich is owner of Moms on Edge at
http://www.momsonedge.com If you are ready to initiate potty
training and need a fun parenting tool, try her clever and fun
Potty Training targets. Tired of battling time outs and other
parenting issues find proven solutions at
http://www.momsonedge.com