Using the Potty For Toddlers

Who said potty for toddlers was a difficult thing to do? Must be an old wives tale, because it doesn't have to be hard. Below, you will be presented with an easy to follow plan, that will help you go from diaper to toilet quickly and easily. The only thing to keep in mind with this plan is to not let other things get in the way of toilet training your little one. Don't be distracted.
Step One: Determine If Your Child Is Ready For Training
Is your toddler able to understand words, and show that they understand? Not only do they understand words, butprehend their meaning enough to follow basic instructions. Do they seem to want to do things for themselves, like pulling up or down their pants? Most important, does your toddler have decent control of his or her bladder or bowel? Can they hold it for a few hours? As many as three?
Make sure all of these questions can be answered confidently before you take on Step Two.
Step Two: Take Your Toddler To The Store
There are a few things that you need to have on hand as you begin potty for toddler training. You need a boy doll or a girl doll, depending obviously who you have before you, and it needs to be anatomically correct. You want to have a couple of potty training chairs available, so one is always on hand. You also want to have a slew of underpants ready. Sure, you can use potty training pants, or even diapers, but the key with these is to act with your toddler as if they are real underpants. Make them colorful or pictured with your toddler's favorite cartoon character. Then you want to pick up a chart to track progress, along with fun stickers for your toddler to use. Allow your toddler to help you choose all of these items. Let them be a part of the whole process. Enough shopping. Now it is time to get down to business.
Step Three: Train The Doll Before You Train The Toddler.
It may seem strange to do this, but it is important to realize how great a tool the doll is to help teach your toddler to potty. Just don't share it with your toddler as if it is a toy. It is a teaching tool, to show your toddler the right way to perform potty duties.
Step Four: Celebration Number One
Whenever the doll goes potty the right way, praise the doll together, and let your toddler put up a sticker on the chart on behalf of the doll. As soon as the doll graduates Potty Training Academy, it is time to party. All of this serves to let your toddler know that learning to potty is not a scary experience but a grand adventure on the road to bigger and better successes down the road.
Step Five: Adios Diapers
Get your toddler into wearing pants as soon as you can, as soon as your toddler is ready. And let your toddler know that, no matter if accidents happen -- and they will -- that this is a point of no return. No more diapers, no matter what.
Step Six: Get Your Toddler To Drinking
Not the hard stuff, silly. but get them used to drinking more and more water and juices. This will induce the need in your toddler to go potty more often. You are going to do this so that you can give your toddler plenty of opportunity to practice his or her new potty skills. The more often, the better they will perform, and the quicker they will become master of their potty domain.
Step Seven: When In Doubt, Ask
Ask your toddler if they need to go potty. Don't worry if they say no. If you are diligently following Step Six, they will soon say yes. Just keep asking them over time. If an accident happens in between asking them, don't ever show them disappointment or anger. Encourage them to be ready next time. Then take them to sit on the potty to get used to it, but only for a few minutes. Get into your supply of fresh underpants and have your toddler put them on. Then, over a short amount of time, take them to the potty ten times total over that time, say a couple of hours. This will help them to remember to use their potty muscles to control themselves. When they are used to it, they will be going potty in the potty.
And keep this important tip in mind. Watch not only the words you use, but the tone of your voice. Let soft tones, full of love, patience and understanding, fill your voice and your eyes. You've been through this, so can they.