Ditch the Diapers and Find Your Freedom Today!

I’ve often wondered why there aren’t more children’s stories about going to the potty. I mean, let’s get real – this is something we all have to go through at one time or another, right?

Why not make it an enjoyable experience?

Though I can think of a few children’s books that discuss going to the potty, I don’t know of a single one that does it in rhyme.

And though the Potty Training Power System comes with Number One and Two it!, I still think there’s not nearly enough.

I hope this little ditty can curb the appetite until the bookshelves are lined with poems about pee-pee and poo-poo!

Many smiles – Please enjoy!

Pee-pee and poo poo. First dry and then wet
Oh this potty training, I wish I could forget.
This screaming and crying, these tantrums and fits,
I wish someone told me that potty training’s the pits!

I want to be finished, I’m sick of the fight,
But oh how I hope that I get it all right.
What’s that you say? You have a solution?!?
With lots of advice and then swift execution?

Well, that sounds fantastic, please point the way
I’d like to get started, hopefully today!
I’m looking for help. I didn’t know what to do
I’m so very grateful that I happened on you

Once I was worried, but not anymore
In just a few days I’ll have no pee on my floor!
Potty Training Power… Up, up and AWAY!!!
The system has saved me and rescued the day.

Potty Training Power… AWAY!!!

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Potty training a child is uncharted waters for every parent.

We envision putting our child on the potty with new Batman underwear and think to ourselves:  “I have the perfect potty chair and brand new underwear – Voila!”

Done, right?

Wrong.

Potty training your child requires preparation. The pre-potty information and the time invested in learning together means trial and error, accidents, bunched up pants (often on backwards), and Mt. Everest sized piles of toilet paper.

The long and short of it is eventually your child will learn and everything works itself out.

However, the events between pre-potty and full on potty training is a step that many parents people miss. Yet it would be like asking your child to walk before they could crawl.

Potty training is good old fashioned hard work, but the two most important tools a parent needs in the process is a sense of humor and pre-potty preparation. Instead of putting the pressure of expectations that this process will be over after 3 diligent days of potty training immersion (that might end up feeling like 3 weeks), focus on small pieces that help you prepare.

Your attitude will help you achieve your altitude and if you are positive and encouraging then you can expect your child to internalize your feelings to begin down the road to successful potty training.

Here are 6 questions to ask yourself if you are Pre-Potty Prepared.

1) What is the duration of time between wet and dry diapers?

2) Does your child wake up dry after naps and in the morning?

3) Do you put your child on the potty after waking up, before or after bath, before bed time just to see what might happen?

4) Does your child follow 1-2 step directions at a time?

5) Does your child ‘s facial expressions or posture change when a bowel movement or urinations is about to start?

6) Does your child articulate, “I’m dirty.” “Please change me” or take his diaper off and hands it to you?

If your answer is yes to half of these questions begin having practice time with the potty in preparation to fully potty train.

This will not be a fast process, but it is a good time to build up excitement.

Additionally, the act of pulling up and down the pants, making an association that the elimination of fluids and waste goes in the potty which is in the bathroom, and and washing our hands while we sing our ABC’s is all a part of the preparation for milestone of being potty trained.

Many people rush the process and skip these steps.

Our children didn’t come out of the womb speaking in complete sentences.  You have immersed your child in language to reach the goal of hearing those beautiful syllables MaMa, (even though it is usually DaDa first).

The same is true for potty training.

Immersion in the pre-potty steps is just as important for success in the potty training process.

Potty Training Power…AWAY!!!

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One situation that regularly occurs at some point in the potty training process is that a child will have no problems urinating in the potty, yet they will hedge when it comes to making a bowel movement.

Some children insist on a pull-up or just do it in a corner in their underwear and insist on being cleaned up after the business is done.

Children who are hesitant to have a bowel movement in the potty are normal and you are far from alone.

To help your child learn to put it in the potty instead of a pull-up or underwear consider these suggestions:

1) If your child insists on using a pull-up or does it in the underwear, then empty the waste in the potty together to show him where it goes.

2) Remind your child that waste is yucky and dirty and have your child be a part of the cleaning up process.

3) Look for signs that your child is going to have a bowel movement, facial expressions, changes in posture and have him sit on the potty. If your child insists on keeping underwear on or a pull-up make sure the elimination process is still happening in the vicinity of the bathroom.

4) Read children’s literature on anything regarding potty training to your child.

5) Maintain a patient and encouraging demeanor no matter what. Punishing or shaming a child can quickly turn the situation into a power struggle. If your child isn’t ready for this step do not give up.  Empower your child to be a part of the process including cleaning up.

Children who have issues putting the poop in the potty is usually a short lived phase, although it feels like an eternity because let’s face it cleaning up is not fun.

However, with perseverance and consistency the benefit of having an independent and responsible potty trained child is liberating and worth every hard earned step.

Potty training is all learned behavior and as parents we are the first teachers to model expectations, teach our children to take their steps and practice repeatedly until the desired outcome is achieved.

Potty Training Power… AWAY!!!

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Feeling sick and tired of spending so much money on disposable diapers?

Has it been over a year now that you have been working on sitting on the potty, talking about going in the potty, and yet your toddler is still in diapers?

Make it a New Year’s Resolution to ditch those diapers for good!

Forget the Pull-Ups. The absorbant wannabe underwear are a waste of money and your child still doesn’t know if he is wet or dry. Here is a good piece of advice. Babies who use cloth diapers tend to be potty trained more quickly because obviously they do not like to be wet.

Bite the bullet and go shopping with your toddler and shop for the cloth underwear like the big boys wear.

It will seem daunting at first.

The mounds of  laundry, messes on the floor, and accidents after they sat on the potty for what seemed like an eternity will all feel frustrating. Yet with a bit of preparation and simple planning, it will all be worth it. Underwear is the true testament of the potty training process because, let’s face it, Pampers and Pull-ups are so good at doing their job to absorb wetness why would your child want to switch over?

Here is a quick check list to make sure you are ready to begin the process:

1) Cloth training pants or underwear

2) Rubber Pants to put on top to help with accidents

3) Trails of towels on carpet and furniture

4) Basket of clean clothes in the bathroom

5) Build awareness by reading books about going to the potty

6) Encourage your child to dress independently

7) Make sure clothes are easy to pull up and down

8) Provide incentives like a sticker chart

9) Provide a special potty chair that is low to the ground or place a smaller seat on top of the adult one

Maintaining patience is not easy, and it is sometimes difficult to remember that potty training is a process not an event. In the beginning, accidents will happen with frequency.

If you get stressed out your child will pick up on this and internalize the stress as well. Keep a cheerful demeanor even if it is only your best poker face.

Your child wants your approval and part of learning is making mistakes with the safety net that mom and dad are there to encourage and nurture the process along.

Potty Training Power… AWAY!!!

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“Look Daddy, I made corn in my number two.”

My friend was sharing a recent anecdote about the trials and tribulations of his two year old. You know it’s high time to start potty training when your child is taking the diaper off and showing you his accomplishments.

Young children are capable of understanding so many concepts.

When it comes to potty training, usually it the parent who is not ready to bite the bullet and embark on the consuming task of training the child to eliminate in the proper receptacle.

Here are 6 ways to start your potty training success.

1) Have a talk. Discuss the key potty issues. For example, using the potty is a normal part of life and the toliet is the special place where we go potty.

2) Model. Show your child how the potty works. Go potty, let your child flush and explain how he will be wearing underwear instead of diapers.

3) Read and View.Take time to read books, watch videos, or YouTube about going potty. Make sure you involve the whole family in the process especially siblings who are already potty trained.

4) Partner Purchases. Involve your child in the purchasing process. Take a trip to the store together to buy underwear, a potty, step stool or small seat to go on top of the big potty. This will have a significant impact on your toddler because you involved him in the process.

5) Easy dressing and undressing. Ensure that clothing can be manipulated with ease. Ditch the cute overalls and go for elastic bands.

6) Accidents and Praise. Potty training is a process and you will need to change methods of praise/rewards based on the needs of your child. Think about how you will handle accidents and praise. Map out a plan ahead of time in your mind and decide if you are going to use pull-ups, underwear or bare bottom and stay with the decision so your child has consistency and isn’t confused. Consider potty training issues when you are away from home and maintain a calm attitude when accidents occur.

7) Inform Childcare Providers. Talk to your childcare provider and let them know you rae starting the process so that the caregiver can support you in the process.

Potty training isn’t necessarily easy, but it doesn’t have to be hard. Use these seven steps to get started right.

Potty Training Power… AWAY!!!

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Though most parents would probably find it difficult to believe, initiating the early part of the potty training process before your baby can even walk, or before they have reached their second birthday is far from psychotic behavior.

Rather, the practice of early potty training is eco-friendly, more sanitary and, in most countries outside of the United States, a perfectly normal expectation.

Although it can be an all consuming adjustment in the household once the process is started, it is also an excellent opportunity to strengthen the bond of the teaching learning relationship which exists from birth between parent and child.

It is these experiences which can draw a family closer, especially when approached with the right mindset.

You can still build block towers, sing songs and read as part of the day’s repertoire of activities, just do them while guiding your child to eliminate on schedule and in the potty.

Training your child to use the potty through consistent modeling, in addition to providing them with ample opportunities to practice requires a parent’s time, patience, and yes, hard work.

What is all consuming for an adult may not be for an infant.

Yet it is a lifestyle change for everyone involved.

Depending less on diapers and being consumed by the potty training process for a relatively short period of time is always worth it in the end.

After a small investment of time, you will feel the freedom of time, energy and, ultimately, dollars in your wallet.

Potty Training Power… AWAY!!!

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Potty training… ARG!  I know what you are probably thinking – can’t I pay someone else to do this?

Potty training can seem like a daunting proposition, but once you break it down, it isn’t any different than teaching your child how to do many of the other countless objectives you have already taught them up to this point.

Truth is, potty training is just a little messier and well, embarassing if your child has an accident in public.

Here are 5 ways to put the fun in the potty training process

1.  Do a dance.  Make up a special dance when your child does his thing in the potty. Children love to giggle. Promise them a laugh and your likely to see them far more willing to comply.

2.  Have a fun chart that your child can adorn with stickers when the effort is made to put it in the potty.  Celebrate all successes large or small.

3.  Play pretend potty with a favorite toy, doll, stuffed animal.  Children love the empowerment they feel when they pretend and act out scenarios that they have observed. Capitalize on this notion with potty training power.

4.  Accidents are all a part of the process. When there is an accident, do your best to make light of the situation. Be playful with your words to help alleviate any embarassment your child might be feeling. Start telling knock knock jokes or sing a silly song – anything cheerful to distract them from feeling like a failure and showing understanding through fun conversation that accidents happen.

5.  Make up potty training songs, or visit you tube and see how others are doing it with fun and dignity.

Check out this video from pampers for a clear example of how to put the fun in potty training.

Potty Training Power… AWAY!!!

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You find yourself in the flow of toilet training and everything seems to be progressing according to plan.

The entire family is thrilled because your resident toddler has demonstrated a clear understanding of when to use the potty, with both consistency and regularity…except at HOME.

Thatʼs right, your child is potty trained at daycare or preschool, but refuses to go in the potty at home.

This trend tends to occur with children closer to two years of age and though it could possibly be a maturational issue, here are things to keep in mind.

1. There may be pressure at school to use the potty, itʼs “Just what all the kids do.” Try incorporating the same tactics at home.

2. Mimicking others is a terrific incentive as opposed to parent pressure. Take your child with you when you go potty and show them exactly what you would like for them to do.

3. My teacher says, “….” this is a classic case of “My child will do anything his teacher asks, but the parent? Forget about it. Tell your child that their teacher will be so so proud of them for using the potty at home.

4. Being a solution finder is key rather than to ruminate on the problem. Think of a list of three possible solutions rather than dwelling on all that’s gone wrong.

5. Communicate with your child and keep it neutral and free of pressure when approaching the potty training topic. something like, “Wow that is so awesome that your go potty every day at school. Your potty is here at home waiting for you when you are ready to do it at home.”

In addition, make sure to discuss your home experiences with your child’s day care providers and teachers. These conversations can often be enlightening.

Never be afraid to ask general questions or to inquire about the routines and key words used as signals to prompt children to go to the potty.

Remember if your child is taking this huge milestone with some success, celebrate, ease up on the gas and your child will come around eventually.

Of course, this is more likely to happen once the mindset is established and the pressure is lifted and replaced with patience.

Potty Training Power… AWAY!!!

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A friend recently went through the realization that she had too many children in diapers and finally decided.

No More!

She has 5 children: 2 year old twin girls, a 3 year old son, a 4 year old daughter, and a 6 year old son. There is no grass growing under this friend’s feet, I can assure you.

She has had amazing success potty training her first two children, but child number three isn’t too thrilled about the attention the twins are demanding and now he is holding his ground and refusing to ditch those diapers.

It has grown into a power struggle, as he has quite clearly (both cognitively and physically) proven himself capable.

Here is how our friend trained her final 3 toddlers in no time at all.

1) Just do it. She immediately started the process with the twins and was able to see there is power in numbers. The 3 year old was not about to be outdone.

2) Keep your eye on the prize. She has a clear understanding of how liberating it is to finish the potty training process since she has two older children that she successfully potty trained already.

3) Accentuate the positive. She was able to capitalize on the positives as her twins were working their way through the potty training process.

The older one is getting jealous, eager for positive praise himself, and quickly started to concede to the bathroom business.

4) Don’t fall victim to power struggles. Rather than getting into a power struggle with the three year, Mom simply treated him as she does the twins – as a work in progress, first getting the elimination of number one down and then working as a family to sway her son through positive specific compliments on the behaviors she most wishes to see.

For example, getting him to make number will take some coaxing, but the response he receives when the whole family praises his effort is the specific behavior to capitalize on.

5) teach ownership. Once it is established that HE is the big boy and making it happen in the potty, ownership takes the place of the power struggle.

6) Be Forgiving. Even if he has an oops, celebrate the fact that he is trying or “act as if” to move him along. Ensure that all caregivers are working toward a common goal.

7) Teach independence. Encourage the children to dress independently. This will not only boost their self esteem, but it will help to speed along the potty training process by putting them in charge of that which they can do themselves.

8) Capitalize on time. If you have vacation time or can build in a long weekend – go for it!

Consistency and time on task can be invaluable.

Yes, some people seem to have it made in the shade when it comes to potty training, but you can do.

Follow these seven steps and start your potty training off right.

Potty Training Power… AWAY!

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