Potty Training 101

Potty seats. Do a google search for the little crappers and be amazed or anxious. They come in all shapes, sizes, colors and materials. Some even sing to your child after they go. They do everything but wipe the child's bum. The scariest one was a rocking seat and toilet all in one. Yeah, great idea! Time to rock the poop out sweety. Let's go! The designer either hates children or is an anorexic who seldom if ever has a bowel movement. It's not complicated. It's actually very simple. You go to the bathroom. Take the kid with you. Eventually he will get the idea by example. I highly recommend placing a Baby Bjorn toilet in the bathroom. While you are taking care of business, the child will naturally sit on the potty seat (clothed). Eventually (it could be a year) they will ask to use the big toilet or the little one. Don't waste your money on gadget potty toilets, Dr. Toilet books, or needless worrying. They will go when they are ready. That's it. All there is too it. You can certainly encourage them to go if it has a positive influence. BUT, NEVER EVER, EVER, scold them for an accident or because they don't do the duty at an age or time that YOU would like. After all, how would you feel with someone nagging about your bathroom habits? It would be enough to back anyone up for weeks and discourage them completely. I'm speaking from experience. I did this to my second child who was using the potty at 2 and it delayed things 'till over 3 1/2 years old.

So leave the sweating to the toilets and don't forget to have them wash their hands! They always LOVE this part when they are little.

*Word of advice for those with boys: Make sure the boys sit back far enough on the toilet and that the "thingamajig" is pointing down or the pee will end up jumping over the front of the seat down around the bottom ring of the toilet. :-s Eventually, when they are tall enough, they can move to standing up.