stages

When to start potty training - the question every parent wants to know.

Despite everyone from your grandma to the next door neighbors wanting to hand out regular potty training advice, effective toilet training is different for every family.

The best advice is to sift through the various potty training techniques until you find those that are the right fit for your family. An good place to start is with the three stages outlined in the 3 day potty training method.

Though we disagree with the claim that 3 day potty training works for everyone, we do use the 3 days to draw parallels between the various stages of toilet training.

We’ve previously covered potty training day one, and the potty training techniques of day two. Today is the third day (or stage) of toilet training: doing, the stage that finally answers the question of when to actually start potty training.

By using the three stages, it is easier to discern when to to start potty training. If you’ve successfully finished both the first and second stages, then green lights all the way.

In the first stage, it is your job to articulate to your child both the underlying reasons for potty training, as well as your expectations. The second stage is showing, where you model your best behavior. Take your child with you when you need to go (same sex parent is always best), or demonstrate on a dolly.

Anything that helps your child understand the how will hep accelerate the when.

So you’re almost there. The potty is now a permanent fixture of the bathroom. Your little guy understands the basics, at least in theory.

What now?

How do you help your little one take that final step?

Simple – help your child by encouraging them to try.

This last step is, of course, the most difficult. You and your child must slowly work together over the coming days. This is not a step that can be rushed, nor is there any reason to. You’re smack in the middle of the good old days. Someday soon, all the hardship will drift into memory. Don’t be surprised if your child regresses and wants to go back to diapers, but don’t allow it to happen.

This is NOT a sign of failure.

Follow these 3 rules. Once you know when to start potty training, go forward at full throttle, and don’t look back!

Have your child go to the potty at least once a day. Some parents try first thing in the morning, while others find after lunch or just before bath to be a better time. No matter when you decide is the right time, make sure you make it a consistent part of your routine.
Establish a fixed time. Go potty at the same block of time each day and your child will begin to recognize the routine. Children love ritual. The predictability of potty time should make them excited rather than anxious.
Slowly increase restroom visits. Once your child is feeling success at least once per day, you can begin increasing trips. Try to schedule times when you are close to home. Consistency builds success.

Either way, keep in mind that accidents happen. Your child will constantly look to you for direction. If you remain positive, so will your child.

We hope you learned a bit from these potty training tips. It isn’t always easy, but knowing when to start potty training will certainly help to make it easier. Understand the basics and make potty training a time when you and your child can grow together.

Potty Training Power…AWAY!!!

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In the first part of our series on 3 day potty training we discussed the three different stages we need to get through before ultimately finding the potty training finish line.

Today we’ll dive deeper into the first stage, Potty training day 1.

Potty Training Day 1: Telling

The goal of the first potty training day is to have your child understand the expectations and what they’re supposed to do. The potty training processs can be confusing. For their entire life your child has done things a certain way, until suddenly you change the rules on them.

Now you must help them understand their new requirements while keeping your eyes on each teachable moment. Use every opportunity to discuss (in a matter-of-fact way) the natural process of using the potty.

Help your child understand by explaining that using the potty is natural and normal.
Make up a game. Toddlers tend to be fascinated by their bodies. They love to label their parts and sometimes give them funny names in place of the real ones. Take these natural tendencies a step further by discussing the function of each body part. Our noses are for smelling, our ears are for hearing, etc. Our penis is for going number one and our bum for number two. Keep it casual and the first potty training day can be a cake walk.
Your child will ask many questions. Help them be their best learners by giving straight answers to curious questions. Your child will want to know if everyone has to go number one and two. Of course they do, and we should tell them so. The more comfortable we are with the subject, the easier it will be for our child to embrace the process.
Help your child understand how much better it feels to be clean by discussing the differences between wet and dry. Show them their wet diaper before replacing it with a dry one. Explain that they have peed into the old one and that the new one is for their comfort. Once changed, ask if they notice a difference.

The first potty training day is all about demonstration. Use pets, family members, or even dollies and stuffed animals to demonstrate the ins and outs of potty training. Day to day, help your child not only understand, but grow excited about the many possibilities.

Our children adore us, and it is us they most often emulate. There is nothing our children will want more than to use the potty like mommy and daddy. We simply have to give them the tools they need to get them on their way.

On the next part of our series of potty training tips and advice, we’ll discuss the second stage – showing.

Potty Training Power…AWAY!!!

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