Is Your Child Ready To Be Potty Trained?Feb 03 '07 Write an essay on this topic.The Bottom Line I wish I could reveal a Secret Formula how to do it right but so far I have not found any, just wait until your child is ready! MOTHER OF FIVE I have five children ages between 1 and 10 so potty training has been an issue and I am surprised how much pressure there is to have your child potty trained in certain age. It seems like everyone else knew how to do it and every other children except yours were out of diapers as soon as they could walk. You get the understanding looks while changing your two year olds diapers from the family with the stories about their children who basically run to the bathroom to do their business as soon as they stood up according to their mothers. Some blame the diapers, yes they do absorb better than the older ones, so your child is not so uncomfortable. Maybe a huge rash or yeast infection will get a child to use a toilet quicker but I prefer my child not experiencing any of those delights if I can help it. Even if it means that I am buying diapers a bit longer. Every mother has spent some frustrating moments with her child waiting for her or him to "deliver" in the potty. I know I spent hours and hours waiting and coaching. And finally you will give up and diaper your child again and oops there it is. Kids feel more comfortable in their diapers when they do not really understand this whole "poop in the potty" concept. YOUR CHILD IS NOT POTTY TRAINED YET? Family and older friends seem to either have very bad memory or exceptionally smart children. I was told that my husbands younger sister was totally potty trained before she was one. She would rip her clothes off and run to the potty according to grandma. Thankfully her children are not as quick to learn as she was.. I feel for her because it is her own mother telling her that story! THE BOOKS, THE VIDEOS There is plenty of literature available to read with your children. I like that. But if you assume that your child will just watch a show or read a book with you and BINGO he or she knows what to do you are much luckier than I was. We did the cheerios sinking and discussed plenty how nice it is to use underwear instead of bulky diapers but frankly I doubt it helped that much. TRAINING PANTS These are the expensive must haves that todays families are supposed to buy to get the kid to understand the whole thing. There is all the cartoon characters, the "cool" feel when you pee etc. My kids are plenty "cool" but do not have to pee anymore after feeling the sensation. I do like the fact that you can open the training pants with the velcro from the sides but does it make them use potty more? Not.. NO SECRETS TO REVEAL IN THE END! Your child will start using the potty when he or she is mentally ready. All that fussing and spending time, money and different "fool proof" products will just get you as a mother feel as a failure if you listen to the diaper manufacturers or your superior mother-in-law. It does not hurt to read those potty training and hygiene books to give your child an idea what they are supposed to do BUT if you believe that they will adapt and get potty trained "by the book" you are much luckier than I have been. And I wish someone would have told me that years ago! SO YOU STILL HAVE QUESTIONS? For instance, did you use a star chart, or other incentives? Star chart? No I did not nor do I will. My children do no not need a "star chart" to know that they are preciated and that I do love their achievements. What kind of potty did you use, or did you use a toilet trainer? Did you use pull-ups, underwear, or Gerber like trainers...? We've had the simple one that you put on top of the toilet. We also had the basic potty where a child can sit on, there is several brands you can choose from I believe they all will work. I've had the simple version to go on the toilet. Some kids are scared in the beginning because it is too high. And I believe any of those basic pottys will work fine as you said. As of pull-ups, underwear (what kind?) or those Gerber like trainers (again a ?) I believe that you can buy what ever you are most comfortable as a mother. Your child will follow when she or he is ready. But I don't think that you will need them to get your child potty trained faster.  |
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