Part 1 - LET'S GET THIS POTTY STARTED! - PREPARING FOR POTTY TRAINING

Here’s what I’m thinking! As we all know every child is different and they pass the “milestones” of toddlerhood when they are ready. But as parents we do need to set the stage for success. You can’t expect to sit the little “goers” down on the commode once and throw away the diapers. It takes practice and patience. The idea here is to introduce the toilet and let the kiddos know what “goes down” in the bathroom!

Our little urinator is turning two this month and showing some signs of toilet readiness. My goal is to try to get this next rite of passage done as painlessly as possible for all of us. We have decided to do a little prep work around our house before we dive in! So, how do you know when you’re kid is ready to sacrifice to the porcelain god?

Here are some things to look for:

Fewer wet diapers

Staying dry through naps

Increased awareness of bodily functions 

Aware of soiled diaper - wants to be changed

Understands bathroom lingo – pee, poop, potty, etc..

Can get their clothes off (sometimes with a little help)

Wants to please you

Can follow simple directions

Interested in the bathroom and what your doing in there several times a day!

      I do have one thing to say about potty training chairs! EWWW! Enough said.  In our home we are going right for the big potty! That’s a load off my mind, no pun intended. We have a little stool she can step right up on, turn around and sit down. We also have the training seat (by Munchkin) with handles that fits right on top the big toilet seat. WOOHOO!

            We have started to leave the bathroom door open for her to witness the “events” of the day and get her used to seeing that we routinely use the toilet.  We really verbalize what’s going on to her or at least make sure she’s in earshot. We will say out loud,  “ I feel like I have to go to the potty” and rub our bellies. “Oh yes, Its definitely time to go to the potty”, “Come on lets go to the bathroom, mommy/daddy are going to go potty!” “Okay mommy is going to the potty watch, listen, look”! Adds a whole new meaning to “potty mouth”!

            Usually after the big announcement she will tottle in after me or at least take note that I am in the bathroom – she will come right in or walk back and forth outside the bathroom door peaking in and out. Try to be a little silly with facial expressions, you need to get their attention, so go with it! They wont tell anyone, yet, I promise! Our little urinator terminator often wants to check out what is going on IN the toilet so…yuk, but that’s the deal! So we’ve added pinching the nose and “P-U” to the vocabulary. She says that a lot when daddy’s in there! LMAO! = Sorry daddy…

             All done!! Practice the WIPING!!!! Time to flush!! “BYE BYE POOTS and PEES”, my little bathroom attendant will say as she waves with one hand and tries to pull the handle with the other. FLUSH! ! Oh and we dump the dumps from the diaper in the latrine as well, again its BYE BYE POOTS!

             Do everyone a favor and definitely incorporate washing hands NOW - it’s VERY IMPORTANT! You really don’t want to explain to anyone why you and your tot have pink eye, do you? Awkward! Plus it’s highly contagious. YIKES! We all know those little hands are into and on everything!  

            When my little creature is compliant, eager or makes her way into the bathroom, no doubt to unroll the TP, I say “Oh what a good job your trying to go to the potty”, I help her up and give her some positive reinforcement! “Okay, it is your turn to go on the potty”, “YAY, you are on the potty”, “good job”. I have to be honest, so far not too much activity has occurred but at least we are going through the motions and she is not afraid of the toilet! YIPEE!

            When you try to get them on the toilet and hear a definitive NO! Or your little urine ball takes off running, don’t freak out! You are introducing the concept of going on the toilet, so send them on their way and try later. If children get scared of the toilet or think your forcing them to go to the bathroom – it will only create fear and resistance and right now we are just PREPARING to potty train! You definitely don’t need a wound up constipated toddler hiding in the corner.

            Be aware of the signs your tot is sure to be already showing when they need to go – We did have one episode of successful number two – I saw that signal of quietly grunting with the blank stare and threw her up there just in time!!! So pay attention and take advantage of those moments. DON’T FORGET TO CELEBRATE SUCCESS! Dance and sing! High Five!

             We also have Elmo’s Potty Book with sound buttons that include a flushing sound, “Elmo like to use the potty”, toilet paper spinning, and a “Hooray” with some others. She loves to push the buttons when we read it. Leave it out in view so your little one can explore the book. I have actually put her on the toilet and read it to her, she loves it, plus it keeps her from squirming off the pot for a couple minutes. I give her a couple squares of TP and she tucks it in. BUT Heads up! Today I came across half the roll oh so nicely shoved in the toilet… be prepared for a couple messes it all part of the process!

            Remember don’t transfer any of your frustration out on the latrainee! It’s just like the WONDERPETS say “TEAMWORK” gets the job done. Your little bathroom explorer is going to start this new adventure when and if they are ready! Are you ready? Alright then, let’s get this potty started! Don’t be surprised to hear flushes and see piles of unrolled ripped up toilet paper! Good TImes!!

STAY TUNED FOR PART TWO  “Taking the plunge into toilet training”

HAVE ANY SUGGESTIONS OR FUNNY EXPERIENCES? – I’D LOVE TO HEAR IT!

CHECK OUT THESE LINKS

Potty training readiness checklist =

http://www.babycenter.com/0_potty-training-readiness-checklist_4384.bc

 Munchkin padded potty training seat =

http://www.munchkin.com/products/detail.html?section=prodCategories&ID=10002&pID=216

 Potty Training books for children =

http://www.pottytrainingconcepts.com/CTGY/Potty-Training-Books-Kids.html

 Signs of readiness - VIDEO

 http://www.whattoexpect.com/potty-training/video.aspx