Won’t go potty at home?
No worries, we’ve seen it before.
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 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 behind your own four walls if you want to get your child to go potty at home.
2. Mimicking others is a terrific incentive as opposed to parent pressure. Take your child with you when you go potty at home 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 waiting for you when you are ready to go potty 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.
At home, 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.
Your child will be going potty at home in no time!
