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Can You Potty Train Your Child in One Day?

Do these programs work?

There are many guides and articles available online that say that you can potty train a child in a day. Even if it’s not a day, you would have most probably seen guides that state, “Potty Train Your Child in 3 Days” or “The 7 Day Potty Training Plan”. If you want to give these programs a try, it is okay but there is no mandate on how long potty training should be.

You may be wondering, “Do these programs even work?”… “Why is it taking my child so long?”While these may be valid questions, there are a few other questions that you should ask yourself.

Why have a deadline?

“What is the rush?”… “Why do you have a deadline?”… “Did I learn how to read and write in a day?”…now that you’re an adult, if someone gave you 5 oranges and asked you to juggle them, would you be able to learn how to do it in a day?

Definitely not. Potty training may be easy for you but for your child, it’s a whole new process. They will need to overcome some fear and understand what they are doing. There is a learning process involved and it will take time.

You can’t rush the learning process. Trying to, will just stress your poor child out and aggravate you. Some children learn faster than others. Depending on your child, you will just need to be patient and see how it goes.

Forget about meeting a deadline and getting them to learn it in a day or three days. It doesn’t make you a better parent if your child is potty trained in record time. It’s true that the hassle of changing diapers will end, but rest assured that it will end in a matter of time. If it takes a little longer, so be it.

As long as you know what you are doing and your child is ready to be potty trained, you will do just fine and your child will learn well. Encourage them, praise them and make the process fun. That is the best way to speed up the process. Don’t get irritated, angry or even spank them if they make a mistake.This will just create a very hostile and unpleasant situation. It will actually impede your child’s potty training progress because he/she is scared now. That will mean that the whole process takes longer.

What Should You Do?

You should do whatever you can to assist your child to make transition. Get a colorful potty chair that appeals to them. Use potty training charts. Offer rewards and praise when they do a good job. Get them shorts that they can easily pull up and pull down. They shouldn’t be struggling to remove their shorts or undies..

There are many little games that can be used to potty train your child. You should go online and research these games or get an online guide on potty training to help you out. There are a few proven bestsellers that have helped thousands to train their child. So, you can get one to help you out.

Here is our free ebook guide   

“How to Start Potty Training Guide”

 

At the end of the day,  just remember that there is no rush. Your child will definitely be potty trained if you keep at it. Let go of your expectations, be patient and have a sense of humor about the whole thing. In the big scheme of life, this is one of those times that you will look back on in amusement one day in the future. For now, grin and bear it.

Potty Training Essentials Here

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Happy potty training!

Updated January 2023

 

 

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Should You Bribe Your Kids When Potty Training?

What is Bribing?

Well first we have to define what is meant by bribe? According to dictionary.com bribe means “persuade (someone) to act in one’s favor, typically illegally or dishonestly, by a gift of money or other inducement.” Bribe does not have a “good” connotation. The gift of money or other inducement also gives bribe a bad sound. We do not want our children to think that they will receive something of material value to do things for themselves.

Are material rewards sending the wrong message?

If we give them something like material things whenever they accomplish something, they are receiving the message that they will always receive material rewards for doing the “right” thing. This would set them up for disappointments in life as sometimes no one even knows you have done the right thing except you. You will not receive recognition or material rewards except knowing you have made an accomplishment. We do not always receive awards and gifts for doing things. We should derive reward just from the accomplishment itself.  Some parents give children toys every time they make a potty success. That is a bit much.

Watch this video for some tips.     

What Do We Do?

But at the same time, we do not want our children to feel that they have not done something that is laudable. The should still gain a sense of accomplishment which motivates them to continue and progress. We can  accomplish this by giving them little motivational words of praise, hugs and small things. When potty training, we can give them things like stickers to put on their potty charts.

Acknowledgement is key

Give them a hug when they make it to the potty in time. We should not make it a very big occasion for everything they do, but some acknowledgement is key to them growing up with a sense of self worth. This will keep them striving for some progress and give them encouragement to accomplish their new tasks. With everything there is a balance. Rewards and praises are no exception even with potty training.

P.S. Do you think it is good to reward your child when they accomplish a goal?

Is there a difference between rewards and bribes?

Should children always receive material rewards?

What do you do when your child reaches a goal or accomplishment?

Please comment and share .

Updated January 2023

 

 

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Tips for Potty Training Boys

Are Boys More Difficult to Potty Train?

Contrary to a commonly held misconception, potty training a boy is not more difficult than potty training a girl, except for teaching boys to stand up while voiding. You can start him sitting on the potty chair and just teach him to stand later. Also based solely on my own experience with three sons and one daughter, boys seem to be less interested in becoming diaper independent. My sons all took a lackluster view of getting potty trained than did my daughter. She was very interested in becoming a “big girl” and going to the bathroom by herself.

My last son was potty trained at two and going to the bathroom very well. But if he was engaged in a game of playing and running outdoors, he would not want to stop his fun to go to the bathroom. He tried to “hold it” and would have an accident. So every child is different and you will find out what motivates each of yours with time, patience, trial and yes, errors.  But fear not, here are some tips for potty training boys from my research and experience.

 

 

Is He Ready?

To be successful at potty training boys, you should start when he shows signs of interest in being a “big boy” that can go to the bathroom on his own. He must be physically mature enough to utilize fine and gross motor skills to use the potty seat or the potty adapter seat on an adult toilet safely. Some boys may be ready at 18 months- 2 years old. Others may be ready earlier. Observe your son and encourage him to try potty training. Do not feel discouraged if you start potty training and discover he may not be exactly ready.  You can start again a few weeks later.

Concentrate on Timing

Do not begin potty training your son during a big change or new event in his routine, such as the birth of a new sibling, a recent family relocation, a recent loss of a parent or loved one through death or divorce. Make sure his environment is as stable as possible. Observe his interest in emulating the adults doing daily tasks in the household. When the timing is right, gather together the equipment you will need.

The Proper Equipment

Gathering together the proper equipment is also essential to potty training boys successfully. The proper equipment may take some time to find with some trial and error. Each child is unique and what may work for some may not work for others. Finding what “clicks” with your son may take some purchases before you get what makes him comfortable. Some experts advise to buy a potty chair where your son can lean forward with feet touching the floor. This position they contend is helpful during bowel movements. They also suggest to buy a child size potty chair which may be more comfortable for him.

These suggestions did not work for any of my children. The toilet adapter seat placed on the adult toilet worked best for them. Buy two of them. One for home and one for travel.They knew that this was not a “playtime” seat. When they sat on it, they knew it was time to potty like mommy and daddy did. We used a little step stool made for the toilet to help with potty training. This can be left in place so a child can go onto the toilet safely.  But in the beginning, you will be there to assist him.

 

 

Have several pairs of cloth training pants ready for changes. You can also use pull ups but use them as if they were cloth training pants. If he has an accident, change the pull-ups just as you would the cloth pants. Do not let him walk around with wet or soiled pull-ups. He will think it is ok to go in his pants.

 

Establish a Schedule for Potty Training

Begin in the morning when your son wakes up. Place him on the potty, then give him his daily hygiene. Take him to the potty at 1 hour intervals throughout the day. Soon you will discover when he is most likely to need to potty. Watch for ques that he may need to use the potty. Then you will establish his routine for voiding and bowel movements.
If you need to go out, check for access to public facilities and take a seat adapter with disinfectant wipes. Once you get your son into a routine, you can plan your trip where he can go before leaving home and return home in time for the next potty visit.

To help establish a schedule for potty training, provide water and juice at regular intervals also. This will help with when he is most likely to need the potty. After your son uses the potty, give him little rewards and praises. Stickers, games and charts give him a feeling of progress and accomplishment. Do not punish him if he has a toilet training accident. Encourage him to try to do better the next time.

You Can Do It Together

Potty training boys is not any more complicated than potty training girls.To be successful, you should start when he is ready and interested in going to the bathroom like his mom and dad. Focus on beginning potty training when your son is secure in his daily routine and home environment. Find the right equipment that works for him and your family routine. Establish a schedule. Provide incentives to encourage him along with his potty training. Never make him feel ashamed or punish him for having toilet training accidents because they will happen.

Utilize videos and fun picture books about potty training which will make it easier for your son to process the new information. Most of all, take your time. You can always regroup and start again after a short break. But whatever you do, be consistent. By utilizing these tips for potty training boys, you can do it together. You can be successful at potty training your son.

 

Do you think boys are more difficult to potty train? Share your thoughts in comments.

What tips do you have to potty train boys? Please share in our comment section.

Please share this post with helpful tips to fellow potty-trainers.  😉

Potty Training Essentials here for all your potty training needs.

Updated January 2023

 

 

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Potty Training Your Baby-Keeping It Clean

Potty training is one of those important mile stones for your child. You have many questions in your mind. Is he ready? Which potty to use? What type of training pants to use? should you use pull-ups? Is using positive incentives a way to go or negative reinforcement? With all these questions floating around in your brain, you also have the issue of “keeping it clean” while you are conducting potty training with your child.

Keeping it clean

Keeping your home environment clean is important for your child as well as others in your household.  Giving up diapers is healthy for your child as well as helping with keeping your home more tidy and holding germs at bay with taking away one of the germs’ growing environment—the dirty diaper.

Given that your child is ready for potty training, one has to strategically plan the potty training area in the bathroom. Place the potty training seat, training pants, wipes and tissues in the bathroom, too. If there is more than one bathroom, place the necessary materials and another potty training seat in all bathrooms. Here are some steps to help with  “keeping it clean.”

Steps to Take

 1. Purchase a potty chair that is made of solid hard surface

These are is easy to wipe off and keep clean. Potty seats that adapt or fit into the adult toilet seat are easy to take up and wipe down with a non-toxic cleanser that also kills germs. check in your grocery store for baby cleansing products that are nontoxic.

  
You can also use vinegar to wipe off your potty seat. You don’t have to empty urine or feces and clean out the potty container if you let your child go right into the toilet when you use the adapter type potty seat that fits into the adult toilet. If you opt to use the potty seat with the receptacle to catch the urine and feces, you will have to cleanse it well right after each use, especially after a bowel movement. If you use a potty chair, remember to clean the whole potty chair along with the receptacle itself.

You can also use liners

Some parents opt to use potty chair liners. These are usually plastic and are thrown away after a couple of uses with the absorbent pads for urine. If your child has a bowel movement, the potty liner’s contents can be emptied into the toilet and then dispose the plastic liner.
Liners are usually removed and placed in the trash much like when you empty your trash can’s liner by pulling the drawstring and then disposing of the bag and all. Although many will see this as a neater way to handle the cleaning up after the elimination issue, it does not show your child how to clean up after himself or help the environment by adding more soiled plastics to the landfills which you are trying to lessen by getting him potty trained and save on buying diapers disposable and cloth. Buying potty liners is lessening your savings by putting in an expense which is really not necessary.
2. Clean all potty training materials in the bathroom sink or tub
Do not clean in  the kitchen sink where food is prepared. Remember to clean the sink and tub used to clean potty training materials with a non toxic cleanser.

3. Wash your hands thoroughly

 Make sure your child does too after each toilet visit.

4. If you use cloth training pants, make sure to wash them right away
Empty the feces into the toilet and rinse the
training pants and place in the washer on hot water setting and wash with a hydrogen peroxide type bleach which kills mold and mildew, sanitizes.

If you use a disposable training pant such as “pull-ups,” roll them and
place them in a small bag. If there is fecal material, make sure to
empty it into the toilet before placing the soiled disposable in the
bag and then putting into the trash.

5. While your child learns to stay dry at night, it’s a good idea to keep a plastic sheet on the bed in case of bed-wetting.

Potty training your child takes time, patience and letting him see you
as a role model. If he sees you “keeping it clean” by washing your
hands, keeping the bathroom area clean, disposing of soiled potty
training materials in a responsible manner, washing soiled clothes and
using good hygiene, he will model you and participate in keeping it
clean while potty training and grow up learning good hygiene, too.
P.S. What do you do to maintain a clean environment while potty training?  Let us know in the comments.
P.P.S.  Please share this post to help other parents with potty training tips…

Potty Training Essentials for your potty training needs.

Updated January 2023

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Potty Training Motivational Tips

We are back in America with out potty training motivational tips today.  Our potty trainee is usually a toddler with his own mind, likes and dislikes. With toddlers, one has to guide them with positive motivation. One way of doing this is with incentives or rewards that boost their willingness to learn new things while also building up their self esteem.

Motivational Tips

Here are some “motivational encouragements” that may help your child down the road of potty independence.

1. Sticker chart:

After each successful trip to the potty, he can put his favorite colorful sticker on it.

 Let your child draw a picture of his successful trip to the potty or make his favorite picture and you can write words on it like “good job” ‘great” “wow”.etc.

3. Scrapbook:

Make a story about his potty training adventure and let him glue his pictures or decorative awards for potty success in it.

Put some of your child’s favorite things, inexpensive little toys, books, and let him pick out a surprise gift when he does well the whole day with his potty training.

5.”Big kid’s pants”:

Let him pick out his own training underwear to use during his potty training adventure. If he likes them, he will try to do what he needs to do to wear them.

Remember letting your child participate in his potty training plan by giving him choices and encouragement, makes potty training something he wants to accomplish, too.  These “motivational encouragements” give him something to measure his progress with on his way to being potty independent.

What do you use to motivate your toddler during potty training? Let us know in the comments.

Please share this post and tips to help other parents with potty training.

Potty Training Essentials for your potty training needs.