Train up a child in the way he should go; and when he is old he will not depart.... Proverb 22:6
This verse never meant so much to me until I potty trained my first child. Training had a new meaning, hard work, practice, patience, consistency, and a result after many many many tries....
I remember walking into my sisters kindergarten class and telling her that its really a miracle that all these 5 year olds are potty trained someone had to love and care for them and teach them very carefully how to be potty trained. I remember her laughing at me and probably wondering if I had gone crazy.
After 9 years of diapers I finally am free! My 2 1/2 year old is potty trained and I feel like I need to celebrate! Its been along time dealing,changing,paying for diapers.... No wonder I feel tired. I feel like I've accomplished a small miracle that seemed like it may never end. My diaper bag consists of wipes and cute little boy underwear.
Potty training four children, 2 boys and 2 girls I felt like I need to give my tips....
I remember I started potty training my 1st at 18 months old. I researched and found there was a small window of opportunity but mine past by quickly and it didn't work. While I was researching I came across
Diaper Free Baby Its a pretty interesting sight basically teaching an infant to pee on command with a sound of running water. Its the idea that we teach children to ignore the feeling of bladder control and teaching them at the age of "terrible twos" doesn't make any logical sense. So I embraced it for my 3rd child and tried. Well at 4 months I found myself rushing to the potty and holding her over and yes it worked. I did it for 2 days and didn't enjoy it. My friend did it for a while and it was cute to watch the interaction and communication of such a young baby with her mommy. I decided it wasn't for me.
So I recommend
warm weather and age
2 years 3 months. Young enough to understand, but not stuck in his ways. When your child starts
hiding to poop that is a good sign he is ready.
I used this very basic potty Baby Bjorn potty chair to train all four kids. I liked this one because of the price and because it is all one piece. You don't have to clean any crevices and it work great. A bit gross but they all are. Its unusual for me to have something that went through 4 kids. And this is a good one!
On the go potty is the best potty training tool for the car. I brought it to the park, beach, mall and its great because your child pees in a bag and you simply toss it in the garbage. This potty chair is a must for those times your baby's bottom is too small for that dirty public restroom toilet and bowel movements. Its important not to scare your child with new toilets and yourself with all the germs. This eliminates both problems! I just bought a bunch of small garbage bags and use a roll of paper towels. This is another item I used for all 4 kids. We call it the emergency potty. Your child will use it for about a year after being potty trained and then the transition is more normal.
A couple of my kids had a very difficult time with poo poo. It was such a difficult hurdle for us to cross. I discovered this book and it was a favorite for a while. Be warned it's gross! But hey its about poo what do you expect?
Everybody Poops by Taro Gomi
Have a special chart with stickers. I bought the jar of Jelly Bellys from Costco and had everyone in the house shout hooray for the newly potty trained kid. Whenever they peed they got a jelly belly. They got to choose the color and each sibling, friend or parent got one too if they shouted Horray for _____ !
My older kids would take the baby to the bathroom just to get candy for themselves! YAY!
The biggest element in potty training is realizing you as the caregiver are no longer going to rely on diapers. If you can mentally grasp that you will not go back no matter what you are ready to potty train.
I actually would plan to finish a box of diapers and then start training. It seemed like I had to. It worked for me. Also realize that your child is yours, read blogs, read book, glean from other mothers who have been there done this but you are the only one who knows your child and the right time that works for you and your family. Good luck its no easy process and I'm glad I never have to do that again!!!!
He was in a cast for 6 weeks and then a walking boot for 2 weeks and then he was free. It seemed like forever at the time but it passed by quickly.
