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A Few Toilet Training Mistakes To Avoid: Essential Parent Tips

August 27th, 2008

You are not a perfect parent, and your toddler is certainly not the perfect child. We can’t get it right all the time. But if you are having difficulty potty training your toddler it could be that you are making some or all of the following mistakes.

Mistake 1:
We all live such hectic lives. And many of us can only survive by having a timetable. But can you really slot potty training into that schedule at a time when it’s convenient to you?. Well, yes you can, if your toddler is ready to be potty trained. By that I mean he or she physically and emotionally able to cope with being potty trained But if you begin potty training before your child is ready than you are asking for trouble and frustration. Not just for you but also for your child. So, whilst it is nice to potty train in the summer or before your toddler begins nursery it is your child’s development that has to dictate the timing.

Mistake 2
When you sit your toddler on a potty it is oh so tempting to have them sit there until they do something. You think that will mean they are much less likely to have an accident. But sitting on a cold plastic potty is not the most comfortable thing in the world. And in any case your toddler is likely to get bored unless you read them a story or give them a toy or picture book. You must let your child get up from the potty when they feel it’s getting uncomfortable even if there has been no action. Otherwise you risk your toddler developing a negative association with the potty.

Mistake 3
Because you want to avoid accidents it is very easy to be saying “do you need to go on the potty” every five minutes or so. To put it bluntly that’s nagging. It’s likely to drive all those around you to distraction. The occasional prompt is all that is required.

Mistake 4
Much as we would all like to be cool and calm parent all the time we have to acknowledge that we are not superwoman, or superman. Whilst it is stating the obvious that you must never shout at your toddler, it is important to try and watch your non verbal messages. So much of communication is non verbal such as the tone of your voice. So whilst loading up the washing machine with soiled clothes and cleaning up after an accident is not much fun you must reassure your child that you still love them and that you know that soon they will be able to wee and poo in the potty.

For more advice on potty training a toddler do check out these articles
tips for potty training
toilet training toddlers
tips for potty training boys
The advice applies equally whether it is a little girl or little boy you want to potty train.

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