How to plan for potty training

In our last post, we reviewed how to prepare for potty training. Now, on to the planning!

STAGE 3 OF POTTY TRAINING: HOW TO PLAN FOR POTTY TRAINING

Be Consistent

If you want your child to be potty trained quickly, you need to have a plan, and everyone needs to follow that plan. The more consistent your family is, the faster your child will get the hang of going in the toilet.

Ditch the diapers and pull-ups

Completely ditch the diapers and pull ups. While diapers protect your furniture and floors, they also protect your little one from the discomfort of wet clothing. The natural consequence of having an accident is discomfort.

Teach your child to tell you she has to go to the bathroom

This is a big one. You need to teach your child to let you know when she needs to use the potty so that she can be successful. I like to do this by teaching kids to say "potty" each time they go try on the potty.

Positive Reinforcement

Does your child have a favorite snack or activity? Keep those items out of reach for a week or two before you start, so they're even more special when you bring them back out again. Make sure you give your child one of those items/activities immediately after she goes in the toilet. This will have your child going back for more! But remember, keep that favorite snack or activity off limits outside of potty training time. You don’t want to go handing out gummy bears willy nilly as an afternoon snack. Why bother working so hard on the toilet for gummies when you can get them for free after lunch? 

Practice, Practice, Practice

Practice makes perfect! Give your child more opportunities to successfully “go” on the toilet, and the sooner he’ll be toilet trained. Give your little guy plenty of liquids throughout the day. BUT, cut back significantly in the afternoon. While you want to give him plenty of opportunities during the day, you don’t want to have him wetting the bed every night.

Next up, Training Day!