For some parents, summer is the best time to dive into potty training. I remember those days, or should I say years.
Potty training is usually a trial and error thing, and when your tot gets it, he or she gets it. I had friends who did the potty training your child in seven days or three days or whatever the latest craze. It was a mommy (or daddy) and me experience that left some of them exasperated.
If you keep it simple and reward your tots, they will get it, and there will be accidents along the way possibly for a very long time. But they will get it. Just like they learn to talk and walk.
I never believed in turning anything into a big deal. Developmental steps are just that. It’s all a process and while some kids are stubborn, most are just too busy with the fun of growing up to run in the house and get to the toilet.
For nighttime, don’t fret. I got one of my kids up twice a night and carried them to the toilet — sound asleep they would pee. And still often wet the bed. Another of my kids got up in the night, walked into the bathroom, turned on the light, peed, washed hands, turned out the light and returned to bed.
All kids are different. My pediatrician explained that kids’ bladders grow when they want to grow. Until then, kids will not wake up and run to the bathroom on their own. Nor can they possibly hold it all through the night in their sleep. So don’t stress.
During the day, take them to the potty every few hours — don’t ask if they have to go. If they are busy playing, they are not going to tell you they have to go.
Here is a link to stories of tots who were trained from 6 months to 36 months. There are many stories out there. Don’t let this become a battle that escalates into war. In the meantime, here are some fun aids potty training from Ginsey for tots:
The Fisher-Price Cheer for me potty is $28.50, and there are dozens of similar items that play music, look like princess thrones, ducks, bugs and any other theme you can think of to coax your child to pee.
Tinkle Targets are a fun training aid for your child. Targets encourage boys to stand at the potty and act as a teaching tool for aiming. Boys will love the different themed illustrations including construction and transportation. Each pack includes twelve targets, $4.99/pack.
The Toilet Tank Potty Hook offers a sanitary spot to hang your child’s potty seat when not in use. It hangs from your toilet tank to eliminate clutter on the bathroom floor. Just take off the top of the toilet tank, place the Potty Hook on the side of the tank and replace lid. Now your child’s potty seat has its own special place. $4.29
The TP Saver is a clever system that prevents children from unrolling the toilet paper- keeping the bathroom cleaner and reducing the risk of TP overload in the toilet. It’s perfect during potty training as it allows for metered use. $2.49
Pam Parker is an award-winning writer and editor for Lake Erie LifeStyle, Her Times and House to Home at the Erie Times-News in Erie, Pa.
