STEP THREE TRYING- So now the main event, trying. This stage can take days, weeks or even months to master. Your little one knows all about the potty chair. Where it is and what it is used for. Now is the time to get them to try it. Just to sit on it. If they disagree with that, then don’t say another word about it. Back up, into the previous stage if need be.
Remember your child is really the one in charge, you don’t want to battle with them on this. Just keep talking and showing and let her get confident about using it. Try to get them to use the potty once a day. Maybe first thing in the morning or just before bath time.
Just before bath time, is a wonderful time to get them to try. Wait until they have been dry for about an hour. Then have them get undressed for the bath and have them sit and wait on the potty. Turn on the tub water, this can get the senses started. They will feel the need to pee.
You want to keep from making a HUGE celebration every time they go potty. This could set them back. DO praise the accomplishment and try not to call them a big kid, some children are not ready to be a big kid yet. You know your child best, use your own judgment.
Have them try once a day or as often as they like. After a few days of trying once a day, try to increase the visits. Every time they sit and try, does not have to be a successful visit. Increasing your visits will help set the stage for when they become more successful. This will help get them in the habit of visiting the potty.
Forming good habits require repetition. With enough repetition you can them form a habit. The more you do it after the habit is formed, the more reinforcement you give to that habit and the stronger it becomes.
Expect accidents to happen, don’t get mad, just clean up and continue on. Let them know, that it’s ok. When time goes by and he is emptying on a consistent basis, back off and let him remind himself. Let them decided when to go. If she’s always emptying her bladder she’ll never know the real feeling or urgency to go on her own.
During distracting play time your child can forget about using the potty and forget to listen to their potty senses. So taking potty brakes during busy playtime, are a good idea.
Something that is helpful for some parents and children is to have your child run around the house without a diaper or underpants, just be bare bottom. If you try this, you need to stay with them the whole time. This way you can watch for potty queues and help them rush to the potty. This will help them feel for their own potty queues. Your child with feel the urgency and they will be more apt to hold it since they don’t have anything to catch it. Some parents don’t like this because accidents can happen. Again use your own judgment. You know your child best.
Let Baby Potty Training help you say goodbye to daipers!
