I’ve got to be painfully honest on this one. Potty training is my Nemesis. I know what some of you are thinking–those of you who have read my About Page. Yes, I have 4 children. I have trained our twins successfully, but not without trial and error. Our daughter is half-way trained and the problems we have with her are still one of my greatest stresses at the moment. I am now beginning potty training with our 2-year-old. I’d love to write a beaming report of how to potty train your toddler in 24 hours, but I’m not ready for that. Let’s take it one step at a time, okay?One thing I can offer you is a list of what not to do. If even one of my fellow mommies will benefit from my mistakes, I’ll bear them for the world to see.
When Potty Training, Do Not:
1. Start Before Your Child is Ready
2. Start Before You are Ready
3. React With Anger
4. Start and Stop and Start and Stop
5. Be Afraid of the Mess
6. Shy Away From Public Toilets
7. Expect to be Done in One Day
8. Beg Your Child to Use the Potty
9. Use Shame as a Weapon
I’m sure none of you would set out to commit any one of these potty training sins. Be careful, though, in moments of desperation. When we are weak and frustrated, we are more vulnerable to costly mistakes in parenting.
In case you missed it, check out a previous post…When Should I Begin Potty Training? This was a guest post written on how to know when your child is ready to begin training.
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{ 4 comments… read them below or add one }
Ummm, I hope I don’t have to confess how many of those “don’ts” that I have done. Eek. I hate potty training.
.-= Amy´s last blog ..Kate’s Big Night Out =-.
I definitely agree – dont get angry! They are just learning.
I think once you commit you have to go for it. No turning back or they get confused.
And I laugh at the 24 hour training ideas. LMAO! I think it took a good week with Lochlan. Maybe longer with Keegan? But once we started, we kept at it, cleaned up a few messes and we were good to go. Both boys PTed to my satisfaction under the age of 2. Keeg by 21 months, Loch is trained now, by 19 months.
Thanks for the post. I’m currently in this stage and I have gone on and off a bit (#4) – trying to decide if “we” are ready. Hopefully I haven’t messed it up too bad!
.-= Jamie´s last blog ..Just Start =-.
Stacie,
I love this list. Unfortunately, #5 & #6 continue to describe me well! Thankfully, after doing #4 with my oldest child because I first did #1, #7, & #8–all of which led to #3–I have at least learned to wait patiently until my other children began/begin to display signs of readiness. Nevertheless, I realize that my children’s potty training issues really reflect my own! So, please continue to share any helpful advice you have, since I still have one left to potty train!!
Blessings,
Whitney