The Potty Training Instructor Guide

The Potty Training Instructor Guide

Sooner or later all parents want their babies to get potty trained. Often this is a difficult task. Some children learn it really fast – others are having a very hard time getting used to use the potty. But teaching your child to use the potty does not need to be hard work. With the right preparations in place it can be easy.

Make potty training a high priority. If you are distracted by other projects you might not have enough time to give your child enough attention for potty training. The family’s routine should not be disturbed or interrupted. Don’t start potty training shortly before a vacation trip or when the grandparents stay for a week. For working parents a long holiday weekend might be a perfect moment to start, as they will have more time than usual to spend with the child.

Choose your language carefully. Decide with your spouse what words you want to use to describe the body parts, the urine, and bowel movements. Avoid using words like "dirty," "naughty," or "stinky" to describe waste products. These negative terms can make your child feel ashamed and very self-conscious. Going to the bathroom (potty) is natural and EVERYONE has to do it. There is nothing to be ashamed of. Don't punish when your toddler has an accident.  Accidents happen when doing potty training. That’s why it is called potty training.

Explain the way things should be. Only if your child knows what you want, he/she can learn to use the potty. Explain that it is time to live without a diaper and that the pee and poop need to be brought to the potty instead. Often kids like to imitate what their parents do. If your child is like that it might be an advantage when doing potty training. There is nothing wrong with showing your child how you go to the bathroom. For most adults this feels weird, but keep in mind that this is a natural process everyone has to do. Presidents, Kings and Queens, actors and John Doe – everyone has to go to the bathroom for pee or poop at one point during a day. 

Encourage using the potty by doing something special with your child if he/she can make it through the day without needing a diaper. Offering incentives can help to get the potty training of the ground easily.

Summer months eventually make potty training easier because the children can wear underwear, shorts, or training pants with just a t-shirt. That means less clothing to remove when going to the potty.

Find out what did work for other parents. Every toddler is different, but so is the approach by others. Maybe they tried things that did not work for their child, but it can be a great thing to try with your child.