Mother and fathers get bombarded with parenting advice from every direction. From playgroups to magazines, from families to co-workers, parents constantly feel pressure for their little one to reach developmental milestones. Potty training is no exception, especially since approximately four million toddlers will share this milestone this year alone. Many family members or peers are often quick to prescribe the “correct way to train” or to dictate the “proper age” for a child to start training, but paying attention to your child’s cues is the best way to ensure success.
In order to help make the potty training process easier, the PULL-UPS ® Potty Training Partners (PTPs), a dedicated panel of child psychologists, pediatricians and parenting experts, offer their tried-and-true tips to parents.
Concentrate on the Positives, from Potty Training Partner Jan Faull:
” Parents often benchmark their child’s successes by comparing their progress to other potty training children-whether he or she has begun, mastered or completed training,” said Faull. “Your task as the parent of a unique potty trainer is to focus on the smaller victories that have been achieved by your child-even the littlest things will help your child ultimately master potty training.”
Faull says to celebrate when your child shows interest in the bathroom or even knows that he or she is wet. Once your child is a little further along, take pride in her or him for successes including resting on the potty on his or her own.
Friends and family hurry to tell you what the “right way” to potty train is and pressure you into trying different methods, but remember what works with one child may not be right for your child. “Every child is different in how they learn potty training. My two sons needed to training in their own way and time,” said Singer.
If the pressure from others or a preschool deadline is still making you seem like your tot needs to rush the potty training process, Partner Bernie Dorsey recommends taking a step back and remembering a few basic potty training facts that prove every child will learn in his/her own way and time.
“Usually, most children take at least eight months or more to complete potty training, and even with success, most children still have setbacks,”
said Dorsey.
“Whether your child starts first or finishes last, helping him or her achieve potty training success in a way that’s most natural and comfortable is what should guide your process the whole time. There are also plenty of preschools that accept kids who wear training pants.”
Parents need to remain patient in addition to stay informed in order to help their child succeed.