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7 Tips to Avoid
Potty Training Frustration

I have good news and bad news. The good news is that my 2.5 year old has achieved potty training success! The bad news is I can't tell you one specific thing I did to make it happen. In fact I'm convinced that each child gets it when they are ready to get it and you can't force them to use the potty consistently.

Having said that, we did learn some things that may help other parents experiencing frustration with this all-important milestone.

Forget about setting a potty training deadline. In other words, don't start out by saying

"My daughter will be potty trained by her second (or third) birthday." Nor should you box your family into potty training within a timeframe such as a day, a weekend or a month.

We purchased a book entitled Toilet Training in Less Than A Day because a friend of ours had success with it for her son.

While these programs can help, don't think you or your child is wrong if it doesn't happen within that time frame. Instead relax and know that it will happen at the right time.
Go easy on purchases of potty training tools.

Along with the book we purchased a doll that came with her own potty and diapers and some potty training DVDs such as Sesame Street - Elmo's Potty Time.

While some of these tools do help, don't feel you have to bombard your child with lots of expensive tools in order to grasp the concept of going to the potty. As there is a difference between understanding what a potty is used for and being ready to go to the potty themselves. Just pick one or two tools and give it time.
Think positive thoughts and speak positive words.

After trying several tools without immediate results. I finally decided to take the pressure off of myself and off of my daughter. I started affirming, "My daughter will be potty trained when she is ready."

Within a month after taking this more relaxed attitude, my daughter started going to the potty on her own.
Let your child observe you or their peers using the potty.

Children want to do whatever you or other people they look up to do. Siblings and friends also fall into this category. Seize opportunities to model good potty behavior by letting them observe and talk about "pee pee" and "boo boo" if they want too. It will encourage them to try when the time is right.
Buy potty gear that encourages going to big people's potty.

I spent about $4 on my child's potty seat. I'm glad because my daughter decided she wanted to sit on the big seat sooner than I expected. It was a while before she actually used the potty, but when she did go, she went on the adult potty.

So purchase paper seat covers or seat cushions that fit over adult seats rather than investing a lot of money in a temporary potty seat.
Don't miss the lightbulb moment.

Your child may grasp the idea of potty training when you least expect it. My daughter saw girls going into stalls at a movie theater and said to me, "I go potty now."

I was unprepared for her to want to go in a public restroom, but instead of trying to talk her out of it because I wasn't ready, I lined the seat as best as I could and let her go.

I learned after her subsequent trips to the potty that taking her to the public restroom was a critical lightbulb moment. She wanted to go to the potty like the big girls and she kept going from that point on.
Go wild when your child goes to the potty.

Party "like it's 1999" when your child does go to the potty. Clap your hands, give rewards like cookies or balloons or do a fun activity. Your child will delight in how happy you get and go every chance they get.

On the other hand even after grasping the concept and going regularly, it is common for children to have a few accidents. They get excited while playing with friends and forget. Sometimes they miss going because they want your attention.

While your child should know that you expect them to go to the potty now that they know how, don't feel you have to go overboard with a punishment or yelling.

Instead let the good times be when you decide to get loud and cheer, this will serve as enough of a contrast in your emotions to encourage them to keep going.

I hope you find these tips helpful. If you have discovered other techniques helpful in your potty training journey please share them here so other parents can benefit.

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