Today we have another potty training professional email exchange from a Potty Training Power client, but we wanted to post it here and help pass on some potty training tips to all of you.
As always, names are changed and copy is cleaned from the “potty training professional,” but everything else is exactly the same.
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Dear Sean and Cindy,
Thanks again for the email with help on potty training – professional as always. : )
We seem to have moved past the crying stage. Jason is cooperating, and even told me once when he needed to go… but he hasn’t yet gone in the toilet. I think the sensations are weird to him: after being used to going in a diaper, maybe the feeling of going into the toilet is making him uncomfortable? I had him sit when I knew he needed to go, and he fidgeted and wiggled and said he was done, so I let him get up – and he went right away.
Though he does go, it is always into a pull-up or into underwear, it doesn’t seem to make a difference to him. Did you have any of your students who didn’t like the feeling? What did you do?
We have a french fry chart (stickers every time he goes until he gets to the fries), but so far, there are no stickers on the chart. No successes. Is this normal? And he gets m&m’s - one for trying to go, and two if he actually did it. No luck there either. But it’s not for lack of motivation!
Thanks again for your help. It’s reassuring to know that there’s someone who has my back here.
Kirstie
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Hi Kirstie,
Oh yeah, we’ve definitely had a student like that. Our potty training toddler, Alan, loved the warm feeling of sitting in his freshly made stew (yuck!) and it took a couple of long days for us to convince him he’d be much happier dried out. We see where you are, but don’t worry it’s almost over.
A visual is probably best, with words to go along. Anytime someone needs to use the potty in the house, you should make sure you take him with you (this is especially true for dad). I know it sounds dorky, but trust us on this. Talk about what you’re doing as you’re doing it:
“Wow! It sure feels good to get my ___ out. I’m SO glad I don’t have to do it in a diaper!” Even when they fight us, our children want to do what we do. It’s instinct, they can’t help it! Let us know how it’s going and don’t give up! If you do, it will be WAY harder the next time.
All our best,
Cindy and Sean
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We hope that little bit of potty training advice helps!
