Few weeks ago, I blogged about potty training Ben with briefs and stickers and how it is starting to pay off in 3 days time. So I thought of sharing the tricks up on our sleeves on the things that works for us and Ben.
Of course, each child is different and I'm in no way saying that our method is the best (or that you should follow it 100%), just want to say these are the tricks that works for us. And I hereby trademark our potty training tricks as:
Before I begin, I would like to state down some disclaimers first:
* All the tricks listed below are based on our own experience, trials and errors.
* Again, I am in no way trying to say it is the best way to go for potty training. Like I said, each child is different. What works for Ben might not work for your child. After all, you have to consider their age, readiness, temperament, who's in-charge, and many other factors as well when you go into potty training.
* The tricks are currently for potty training Ben on his peeing. I have yet to embark on pooping process (will only do so when peeing is successful!)
* If you decide to share this approach with your friends and/or family members, please do remember to credit or link back to my website, after all, it's not easy coming up with this "BE AWESOME" keywords, OK?!!!
(Approaches listed below are in no particular order, other than for making up the words "BE AWESOME"! Hehehe...)
B = BRIEFS (OR TRAINING PANTS)!
Some of Ben's favorite: Lightning McQueen, Bumblebee of Transformer & a Construction Digger
- If possible, get those with designs on them featuring characters they like!
- Start out with small steps, for me, I started by training Ben during the daytime
- I do have some exceptions in this approach, meaning Ben will be wearing his diapers during nap & sleeping time and also when we go out and I also do not force Ben to wear briefs if he doesn't want to, I mean, we as adults also would not want to be forced into doing something we don't like right?
E = SHOW & TRAIN BY EXAMPLE!
- If you are training your boy to use potty, it would be particularly helpful if your husband can bring your child along and let your child sees him when he pees. Let them know how it is done!
- Same goes for girls, if you are training your daughter, then YOU show her how it's done
A = A LOT OF PATIENCE IS REQUIRED!
** Image from Google search
- You seriously need to have loads and loads of patience the moment you decided to embark into potty training. Never never never give up!
W = START POTTY TRAINING DURING THE WEEKEND
- Why weekend? There is more time to focus on potty training of course! And it'll be great if your spouse is also around to help you out with the potty training
- With Ben, I noticed that he was so eager to use the potty during the weekends as he wanted to impress his daddy (and perhaps let daddy know his progress so that he could get his bicycle soon?!)
- Also, as my hubby mostly works during weekdays, it is a great relieve off my burden that he can help me out during some of the running to the bathroom to pee in the potty part as I was really getting tired at one point - imagine being 8 months+ pregnant and RUNNING to the bathroom with your toddler every half an hour (or faster if Ben drinks more water)
E = EDUCATE YOUR CHILD WITH THE IDEA OF USING A POTTY
- For me, since I love doing book reviews, I started looking out for books particularly on Potty books or Potty iPad apps
- If possible, get books or materials (even Youtube videos) showing how children around your child's age learn to use potty
- My advice is if you are training your boy to use a potty, get books or materials showing BOYS (not girls) using potty, this is so that they can relate to themselves (I mean you wouldn't want your daughter to pee standing up right?)
S = HAVE A SYSTEM TO KEEP TRACK OF THE POTTY TRAINING PROCESS
- For me, I Googled around and found some examples of potty training chart and then made one specially to cater for Ben's potty training. Our potty training chart allows us to put on stickers for any potty actions that Ben achieved (and I made sure those stickers are stinkingly cute too!)
- Having a chart for potty training allows your child to see his/her progress and Ben gets excited when he gets to put on the stickers everytime after he pees!
O = GIVE YOUR CHILD AN OBJECTIVE TO ACHIEVE (AKA REWARD!)
Ben standing in front of his potty training chart...
- Make sure the reward/goal is something your child desperately wants to have
- For Ben's case, my hubby promised Ben a bicycle if he's off diapers (we used the term "big boy")
M = KEEP UP THE MORALE & KEEP ON MOTIVATING YOURSELF & YOUR CHILD!
** Image from Google search
- On the first day of potty training, Ben wets himself twice in 10 minutes and he was not able to tell me that he needs to pee. I was of course sad with the realisation of that but I kept to myself, put on a cheerful face and explained to Ben gently that "It's OK for Ben to wet himself, mummy will wipe the floor, no worries, and maybe the next time when Ben feels like wanting to pee, Ben can tell mummy first?"
- I repeated the above sentence often, gently and carefully not to put any pressure on him and I also told myself, do not expect miracle on the first day!
- Thank God from then on, the potty training gets smoother and was I so glad to know Ben started learning and can tell me when he needs to pee!
- Accidents should not be made into a big hoo-hah, just reassure your child that it's OK, we'll try again next time
E = MAKE POTTY TRAINING EXCITING & FUN!
** Image from Google search
- For an 8 months+ preggy mum, I run with my toddler to the bathroom the moment he says he need to pee (tiring yes, but it's fun for him when he feels it's so exciting and it also make him feel important that mummy has to drop off whatever she's doing and just focus on him immediately!)
- I also taught him to flush away his pee in the toilet seat (made him feel he's doing an important task too!)
So, the above tricks are what's working for Ben and us so far. If an 8 months+ preggy mum like me can do it (just imagine on the first day of potty training, you're down on your knees on the floor, wiping piss few times in half an hour), so can you! And I did mentioned that I really really RUN to the bathroom with Ben everytime he needs to pee right? So, yeah, I think you can totally try the above tricks!
Do let me know if you decide to try our tricks above and whether it's working out for your child.
Good luck and keep your chin up!
