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.
