Potty Training Problems: Use a Checklist to Get You Back on Track
Having trouble potty training your toddler? Toilet training problems are very common, but that doesn’t stop them from being immensely frustrating.
For most parents, the first question they struggle with is “what’s wrong?” Here is an easy checklist you can use to determine why you are having trouble potty training your little one.
– Is she trained at all?
There is a world of difference between a toddler who has had two days of potty training and one who has been mostly potty trained for six months. And there’s a world of difference in the way you help these two young potty trainees get back on track.
If your child is new to potty training, they may just not get it yet. That’s pretty common. A great solution to this simple problem is to use a potty training doll to explain in detail how the potty process works.
If the potty person understands what is going on and simply resists, the answer is to take a break from potty training. Take the pressure off for a couple of weeks and then restart training.
– Are you ready to be trained?
Is your toddler showing signs of being ready to be potty trained? Is he dry when he wakes up from naps? Is he asking to be changed when he gets wet or dirty?
Your toddler should show several signs of readiness before he begins potty training. If he’s not ready, then you’re doing an exercise in frustration for both of you.
And make sure you’re ready to be potty trained too, mom or dad. Your calm and no-nonsense demeanor will give your child the confidence he needs to successfully achieve this growth milestone.
– Where is the calm?
If your home life is chaotic and stressful right now, then it’s not a good time to be potty trained. Young children need calm and stability to concentrate. They need the positive, undivided attention of a mom or dad.
If you can’t fix that currently, postpone potty training until a better time. For you two.
– Confused diaper.
Are you putting diapers on and off your toddler depending on what’s convenient for you? If so, you could be causing your little one a lot of confusion that can manifest as potty training problems.
Let’s be honest; Your little one knows what a diaper is for and not to keep clean and dry! Once you make the decision to wear toddler underwear, unless you have a compelling reason to return to diapers (such as a medical issue), don’t! She needs the chance to move on and be more of an adult and part of that is saying goodbye to diapers.
It may take a while for you to move on, but eventually you will. The two of you together will successfully navigate the process that is potty training. Remember, this is just the first of many exciting times that the two of you will have to get through, together.
So jump into the potty training adventure. Your little one is looking forward to you!
