WFMW: Potty Training Procedure
I know, haven’t done WFMW in a while. But here goes:
It is said that boys are harder to potty train than girls. I say that this is an old wives tale–a suburban myth. I think it completely depends on the individual child and their personality. If your child is delayed or special needs, you’ll probably need to hold off on potty training until they’re able to understand the concept. anyhoo…what works for us, with all 4 of our children has been to have them just run around naked. Yes, I am a SAHM, so I don’t send my child to daycare–but you could do this during a week’s vacation if you needed to. For me, I’ve gotten gradually more relaxed as I’ve gotten farther away from my first potty training experience. But the things that have worked for us:
1. Naked children–don’t have to worry about them wetting their clothes or thinking their underwear is a diaper–they really notice when there’s nothing there.
2. Its easier to implement this during the winter months b/c then they’re not outside sunburning their cute bums and also you know they’re inside where you can monitor what’s going on.
3. Sitting down is the easiest way to start (unless your little boy really insists on standing).
4. Sit them on the regular toilet–and have them learn to hold themself out of the water. Eww… If they’re hanging in there pretty good, gravity does a good job and certain muscles are relaxed so they’re more likely to catch on to the full potty training experience–if you catch my drift.
5. Diapers or pull-ups are fine at night, but don’t do pull-ups during the day–get plastic pants if you absolutely need them–the kids need to feel that something has changed, then they’ll start to notice the sensation of needing to go to the bathroom. This is why I just had my kids go naked for a while.
6. Don’t be a drill-sergeant about this!! Lots of praise and a mini-dixie cup with some M&M’s to keep them entertained while they sit on the potty always helps too.
Good Luck
If you have questions I’d be happy to answer them. No, I’m not an expert, and yes my children do have accidents occasionally–but I’m happy to help.
Popularity: 45% [?]
By Milk in the Closet, March 25, 2008 @ 7:53 pm
Oh, wow. You and I may need to email each other for awhile. I have heard about this method but am deathly afraid of doing it. My daughter is only 21 months old, but has been telling us for awhile now when she has a dirty diaper. Should I be potty training her now?
By Mrs. Brownstone @ XBOX Wife, March 25, 2008 @ 8:10 pm
These are really great tips! It’s been awhile since we had potty-training, but we used some of these, too!
By Kelly, March 26, 2008 @ 4:17 am
I am in the process of potty training my middle child before baby #4 comes. Thanks for sharing your tips!
By Erin, March 26, 2008 @ 7:07 am
Thanks for sharing this! We aren’t quite to the potty training stage yet, but we are quickly approaching it. I had heard of this method but appreciate hearing more about it from someone who has “been-there-done-that.”
By Amy @ By His Grace, March 26, 2008 @ 7:44 pm
We are right in the middle of potty training our first! Thanks for all the tips!
By Leanne, April 1, 2008 @ 11:42 am
Great advice! We’ve been working with our 2 1/2 year old this week, as I’m on spring break, and at home. He is 100% when bottomless, puts himself on the pot, goes, and then lets you know. However, now that we’ve put underwear on him, he is having constant accidents… any advice? Do we wait it out, and eventually he’ll figure it out?
Thanks!