Potty training toddlers is a big milestone in a parent's and child's life. Unfortunately for many parents, it is also a big test on their patience; constantly cleaning up wet and smelly accidents day after day as your child gets used to the new adjustments. Your child may also act like many children in this age group who resist change, throwing tantrums, refusing to use the toilet or compromising; willing to go number 1 but absolutely will not go number 2.
In any of those cases, the parents pay in the long run. I'm not saying that in any negative way whatsoever, we all learn by making mistakes; that's a fact of life. What I am saying however, is that the mounting costs of diapers, creams, wipes and clothing detergent are only getting higher, so wouldn't it more make sense to want to potty train your child as soon as possible?
Potty training toddlers can be a big hassle, have you ever heard a little saying called "The Terrible Twos"? Chances are if you're reading this you're going through them right now, or maybe you want to get some tips before you begin potty training. Whatever the reason my be, these are the two most important factors in potty training your toddler:
1. DO NOT pressure your toddler!
Do you know how it feels to have gotten a free trial membership somewhere, like the gym for instance, and when you present your free trial you are immediately pulled into the back where you spend about 20 minutes fighting the fitness trainer's pitch about how a monthly membership for you and your family would do a world of wonderful things for you?
Well, take that feeling and try to view it from the point of a toddler. Kind of hard, isn't it? To your child, you are the "fitness trainer" trying to sell him or her a lifetime membership to the "potty", when they are perfectly fine as-is. The more you pressure, the more they resist until you either relent and let them go or force them to use the toilet.
The natural solution is to use reverse psychology make it fun for them to use the restroom. If you make it into a game with prizes, your toddler should want to "play". This leads to the next important tip in potty training toddlers.
2. Focus Your Attention!
You have to schedule a period of time to be alone with your child everyday until going to the restroom becomes a habit, usually 3 weeks to a month and a half, without any distractions - no television, telephones, cell phones, internet, radio or anything else that takes your undivided attention away from your toddler.
You may be asking "Why is this necessary"? Potty training toddlers in this modern world where information is delivered at the speed of light and everybody is rushing through the day can be difficult for many people (like me) who need to multi-task to get work done.
However your child does not know about the necessities of modern living - they are just now becoming aware of their bodily functions! When potty training toddlers it is important for you to be there and focused on them to help them recognize the signals so that they know when they have to head to the toilet on their own. But wouldn't you like to skip all the messy work, have your toddler potty trained quickly, and keep the time you need?
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