How to Potty Train a Child

Learn how to potty train your child.

Tutorial

Potty training you child can be one of the most frustrating experiences as a parent - or it can be a fun experience where you get to watch your little baby grow up!

1. Encourage the behavior

Let your child know that going to the potty is a positive experience. Continually express the benefits of potty training to your child before you attempt to potty train in language that he or she will can understand. For example, if you child is wiggling while you change their diaper say, "Won't it be nice to be able to go potty by yourself. It's so much faster." Point out that using the potty is something big kids do. Emphasize how much cleaner it is to "go" in a potty and how good underwear feels.  Make purchasing their first set of underwear an event. Let your child pick out whatever design they want.

When we started potty training our daughter, we went to the store and let her pick out the underwear she wanted (she went with a fashionable Elmo print). She was so proud of the underwear that she wanted to put it on right when we got home. We started potty training her then since she was so excited!

2. Set a date limit.

Let your child know when potty training will begin. For example, "when it is your birthday Mommy and Daddy are going to let you start using the toilet." This helps the child get used to the idea.

3. Encourage the child.

Let them sit on the potty fully clothed a few times. Let them play with the toilet paper and pick out their own underwear. Also, let them help you stock the bathroom with books and toys they can play with while they are on the potty. This helps them to understand the concept of preparing to learn a task and take ownership in the idea. The books and toys will help them stay on the chair long enough for something to happen. My daughter especially enjoyed looking at her baby albums. I also kept a stock of baby wipes under the sink and often wiped the floor while I was waiting. My bathroom floor was always clean!

4. Reward good behavior

Bribery works. Use it. Candy is good for little rewards every time the child sat on the potty successfully. The downside to this approach, however, is that eventually you will have to wean them from the constant rewards. Other positive rewards from a hug to a call to Grandma to tell her the news works just as well.

5. Dealing with accidents

Have patience, patience, and more patience. Do not show anger to your child as it will only discourage him and damage your relationship. Count to what ever number it takes to keep your cool. Keep the child involved by having them turn on the washing machine or put the clean clothes away when they are done to understand the consequences of an accident.

Good luck, following these steps will help make the potty training experience more bearable!