Consistency: The Key to Potty Training Success

FINDING WHAT WORKS FOR YOU

Looking back, I think it’s safe to say that mastering potty training was my son’s first major milestone. Yes, learning to walk or wave bye-bye were important. It’s just that he embraced this process I created for him with so much pride and enthusiasm. I thought it was the cutest thing ever how he would point up to the cupboard right before he went over to sit on the potty. I kept gummy bears in the cupboard, and he was letting me know that he was expecting one as a reward for using the potty.

If I recall, I had to only give him a gummy once before he was able to make the connection. Perhaps it was the excitement and praise I showered him with after he used the potty that first time. I really made it a big deal. So much that after seeing me empty his poop into the toilet he insisted on transporting the potty tray himself each time thereafter. You let a toddler carry a potty tray full of poop and pee across the living room floor, you ask? Yikes!

Yes, I could have thought of a better way for him to build stability and dexterity, but having only a few drops of pee for him to clean up, and the proud look on his face I might add, it was well worth it. Did you notice that I wrote, “for him to clean up”? Afterall, he did love helping me clean the apartment. What better way to build healthy habits, right? I even went as far as having him assist in washing himself after having accidents, because again, accidents are expected. It’s a normal part of the process.

“Toddlers naturally strive for independence and control. You have the power to help foster autonomy in your toddler and prepare them to make it up any mountain… Giving your child opportunities to practice independence and experience autonomy helps them create a sense of mastery over their body, their mind and their environment.” ~ Kylie Rymanowicz, Michigan State University Extension - February 17, 2015

Taking Ownership

Depending on the personality of your child, you may find that adhering to one of the more common potty-training methods is necessary. However, sometimes you just have to let your own method develop naturally. Once I had my son's reward system in place and his own empty-the-potty routine it was time to take full ownership of my potty training method by adding more structure and substance. I began talking with him about the process of eating and pooping. I incorporated songs into our handwashing routine. And I significantly reduced his liquid intake after 6 PM.

Like a lot of household items my son's potty chair essentially became one of his many favorite toys. I made a point to disinfect his potty each night because I knew the next morning he would be throwing action figures, toy cars, my drink coasters, or anything he could find around the house into his potty bowl. The scary thing was when mother nature called he didn't care what he had in there.

He simply plopped his little tush down and relieved himself over those poor little Marvel action figures. Did he find enjoyment is this?, I asked. Who knows what goes on in the head of a 15 month old. Eventually I grew tired of rescuing Spiderman from this awful reservoir of liquid waste and started transitioning him onto the big boy toilet.

I bought a potty training toilet seat and hoped that he would take to the transition. He did. We would then routinely take him to the bathroom to sit him down on the toilet... first thing in the morning, during playtime, before nap / bedtime, etc. Yes, even if he didn't have to go. I have found that instead of asking a child if he or she has to use the toilet, it's much more effective if you would lead with intention by simply taking them. By doing so you're communicating what's expected.

I even encouraged my husband to take him out of bed before leaving the house at 6 AM for work, and to my surprise he said that our little guy would stay sound asleep while urinating. My husband soon started putting him back in bed without his Pull-Ups on, and I followed suit. It was important for us to maintain consistency, especially for the first couple of weeks. I don't remember exactly how long it was before we decided to ditch the Pull-Ups at night all together.

Contrary to what some experts might tell you, there isn’t a universal method that works for everyone. Borrow from whatever method works best for you and your child. The key is that you stick with it. Consistency is very important when teaching a child something new.