admin In this blog post, I shall be sharing my potty training journey….which success I attribute to a Christmas miracle. If you are currently potty training, my journey might help you, as am sure you can relate the frustration.
My son was potty trained over the Christmas Holidays. He is about to start school this February, so it was a priority. I cannot attribute one specific tip that worked for my son….it could have been a combination of all or none, really.
Potty training has been a nightmare…..to say the least. I read every book and took any piece of advice one could offer, but nothing seemed to be working. Here are some common tips for potty training:
- SEE SIGNS OF READINESS
My son was never interested in potty training. A dirty nappy or wet underwear never bothered him. In my eyes, he was not ready to be potty trained and I delayed it as much as possible until the circumstances made me force it onto him.
- START DURING THE SUMMER MONTHS
I did try, however every time I put him on the potty or toilet he would scream his heart out. So I tried to spare myself some tantrums and delayed it.
- LEAD BY EXAMPLE / VISUAL REMINDER
The potty had been in the bathroom since he was 1 year old but never showed interest in it. He was allowed into the bathroom, whilst his older sister was using the toilet, but it was useless.
- SHOWING VIDEOS AND BOOKS
Tried this one too, but there weren’t any cars involved so he just got bored.
- BIG BOY UNDERWEAR
He did like his big boy underwear with the cars, but it took quite some time to make him wear them. Once he started wearing them, it did not make much difference as I think, subconsciously he still thought he was with the nappy.
- POTTY TRAIN CHART
In the beginning it was hard, because no stickers were given so I guess he did not understand what the incentive was all about. As we progressed it became easier, and every time he did potty we did a lot of fuss……well we still do.
After work, I used to leave my son in his big boy underwear but since for him it was as if he was with the nappy, decided to go drastic and removed underwear all together. Yes, I left him naked (with just a shirt) during the month of November but soon realized he was able to hold his pee.
During the Christmas holidays I was determined more than ever, that he had to be potty trained. I was on vacation, so had the time to remind him and focus solely on potty training. The strategy was that as soon as he woke up, would change him into big boy underwear.
Then it happened, he suddenly was telling me that he needed to use the potty (which he rarely did before). Pull ups were allowed at nighttime, naps and if we went out for a long period of time.
On New Year’s Day, for the first time, went out with big boy underwear at my in-laws. Considering it was the first time, away from home, he did pretty well….. only one accident.
On 3rd January, he returned to childcare and that was the big test. He did really well, no accidents happened yet. At home, whenever he needs to potty, he just goes and grabs it and does his thing. These last couple of days, he has been doing no 2 as well in the potty.
Small steps which are big victories. Eventually, he will stop using the nappy at nighttime, but not stressing about it.
It was frustrating…….it seemed that it was never going to happen, I felt discouraged and cried several times about it. Although I had already gone through it with my daughter, it was different……with her it was easier.
If I had to give you one advice…..let your child decide when ready…..you can only guide and lead the way but it is up to them whether to follow or not.
Trust me…..there is light at the end of the tunnel.
Love
Strugglingmum xxx
