| I bet many parents are looking for the best potty | | | | personal potty chair. Show your toddler that the chair |
| training technique. So, don't waste your time. Just sit | | | | belongs to him. I haven't met a toddler yet who |
| down, relax, and enjoy this piece of writing. | | | | didn't appreciate having a chair his own size. It builds |
| I call it the ABC's Toddlin' Steps Guide. You won't | | | | his self esteem to have something all his own. |
| have to make it to Z, but by the time you get to J, | | | | F. No one else can touch it or use it! |
| your toddler will be on his potty training way! | | | | Stress to your toddler that this is his special chair. No |
| The ABC's Toddlin' Steps | | | | one else in toy land can use it! Now's the time for |
| There's one helpful tip before we get ready for "A." I | | | | you to find a special place for it. There are two |
| find that it always makes potty training run a little | | | | schools of thought on this. Some people want to |
| smoother if you give your toddler as much liquids as | | | | keep a potty situated permanently in one room like |
| he wants to drink during training! Think about it! It | | | | the bathroom. Still other people believe the potty |
| does make sense, huh? If you give him lots of water | | | | should be portable. |
| then he'll want to potty more, right? The downside is | | | | G. Don't urge the child to use it |
| you don't want him to have to potty after he's gone | | | | Don't force your child to use the potty. Remember, |
| to bed. This increases the chance that he may have | | | | this is his milestone. He is taking a giant leap from |
| to potty in his sleep. Okay, let's move on to Step A. | | | | being a baby to being a full fledged toddler. Hey, |
| A. Interest in containers | | | | once he uses the toilet, the only way he has to go |
| This game is the oldest toddler game in history, but it | | | | up in life! It is important, almost crucial at this point in |
| works! Play this with your toddler on a daily basis. | | | | his life for you to give him the room to grow and |
| You put the blocks into containers. You can then | | | | make his own decisions. |
| watch your toddler take them out. Then, play the | | | | Give your toddler some room and he will surprise you |
| game in reverse. This game shows your toddler that | | | | by learning the skills quicker than if you would've |
| it's okay to put things into a container. Get it? | | | | forced the issue. Remember, he determines when he |
| Eventually, he'll want to put his bowel movements | | | | sits on it and if he uses it. It's the ultimate in decision |
| into the potty as well. You can expand on the game | | | | making for a toddler. I'm warning you. He's less likely |
| by using just about anything you have around the | | | | to have a bowel movement if you force the issue. |
| house. | | | | H. Let the child feel in charge |
| B. Let baby play with toilet | | | | Toddlers' need to gain independence and self reliance. |
| I know what you're thinking. I didn't say IN the toilet | | | | This step in the ABC's Toddlin' Steps Guide helps him |
| I said WITH the toilet. Also note that I'm not saying | | | | to achieve that. You have to stop trying to control |
| let him play with a dirty, filthy, germ infested toilet. I | | | | your child's every whim. Up to now, that's all you've |
| said, "With." | | | | been doing. Now is the time for your child to start |
| I am giving you the benefit of the doubt that you'll | | | | feeling more in control. Let him run some things in his |
| make sure the toilet is disinfected first. Come on! This | | | | own life. Or, at least I mean let him run potty time. |
| is your child's first experience with the toilet. He's | | | | He is the boss. Let him know it and potty training will |
| probably a little bit more than curious about it! You | | | | be a whole heck of a lot easier for you. |
| can tell him about the experience when he's sixteen. | | | | Show your toddler what to do and stand by to help |
| Let him play with this as long as he's not hurting | | | | if he needs it. But, let him decide when to do it. Let |
| anything. He'll grow to feel like the toilet seat is a | | | | you toddler handle his business. It keeps the terrible |
| pretty cool thing until he has to clean it, of course. | | | | two under control if he thinks he's in control. |
| C. Open the toilet lid | | | | I. Give your child options |
| I am simply stating that sooner or later your very | | | | I think your child will use his instinct once he realizes |
| intelligent baby will figure out that the lid goes up. | | | | that you are giving him options. Remember, you're |
| Hopefully he'll be potty trained before it does. Again, | | | | letting him determine the course of action regarding |
| the idea is for him to grow accustomed to the toilet. | | | | the potty, but he still needs to learn from you. Let |
| D. Tell the toddler he can use it | | | | him decides when he sits on the potty, but you'll |
| The key to this part of the training is to let your child | | | | have to show him how to wipe himself dry. Let your |
| decide on his OWN whether he's going to use it. Tell | | | | child decide if he uses the potty. You show him how |
| your toddler he can use it to see what his reaction is. | | | | to use it! |
| He's been placing things into containers. He's been | | | | Keeping along with this same theme, let him decide |
| getting acquainted with the potty. Now, he should | | | | what kind of training pants he's going to wear for the |
| want to instinctively know how it works. | | | | day. Give the kid options. He'll love you for it! |
| It may help to buy an anatomically correct doll to | | | | That's it! Follow the ABC's Toddlin' Steps Guide and |
| show your toddler how to use the potty. The doll | | | | you'll be well on your way to success. This process |
| actually drinks water and wets. Buy one for you little | | | | will give your toddler the empowerment he needs to |
| one so you can show him the possibilities. | | | | start training. Don't get upset over setbacks. |
| E. Introduce the special chair | | | | Good luck! |
| Now is the time to give your toddler his own | | | | |