It’s Potty Time!
Taking the first steps to potty training your toddler.
by: Catherine Frederick

Most parents long for the day when they no longer have to purchase diapers for their child. However, the thought of their child beginning to use the potty can be very daunting. The biggest challenge is that each and every child is different so what worked for your first born or your co-workers child may not work for your little one. 

When to begin? Many new parents struggle with knowing when to start potty training. Some kids show signs of readiness before they turn 2 others, far after. For us, Tyler really wanted to use the big boy potty when he was only 16 months old- long before I was ready to start on this journey. Although I was excited that he was eager, I began thinking of all of the accidents (both number 1 and 2) that would soon fill my days. I was also a little sad that he was moving so quickly into this “big boy” phase of his life.

In show of my support, I purchased the “magic” potty and big boy underwear. He loved picking out his big boy underwear and I admit- there is nothing more precious that seeing your son’s little tushy in a pair of Spiderman briefs. Obstacle #1- while he wanted to use a potty- he did not want to use the potty I bought because it was not the potty we used. So I purchased a potty training seat (it sits on your existing toilet- seat and it was cushioned with handles). He loved it. Not only was he sitting on the potty like Mommy and Daddy but he could hold himself up- and squeeze stuff out- with the help of those miracle handles. I would try on occasion to have him use the potty without the miracle seat, but it never failed- no handles, no action.

To sit or stand? You’ll hear varied advice when it comes to boys and “going pee”. Some say teach them to sit down others advise to have them stand on a stool. Tyler started off sitting down and graduated to standing. 

Toilet Tip: Teach them to gently push the head of their penis down so that the pee ends up in the potty and not on you. Once he was ready to stand up, we bought a stool and he would stand on the stool and lean in on the toilet- holding on to the top of the seat. Again, pee goes in the potty not on you or the floor.

Keep in mind that kids are easily fascinated, especially while they are sitting waiting for something to happen. At first, Tyler was curious about what was in the potty while he was sitting on the potty. I came up with the following phrase that has now become gospel in our house: “Don’t touch it, flush it”. Ty wrinkles his nose, shakes his finger back and fourth and then makes a flushing motion with his hand as he says it. He laughs and it works.
 
When is your child ready? Look for these signs:
Wanting to sit on the toilet
Showing discomfort when wearing a dirty diaper
Choosing a particular area to have a bowel movement
Staying dry for at least two hours straight
Showing an interest in or asking questions about the bathroom

Potty Update: Tyler is now 2 1/2 and wears underwear full time with the exception of bedtime when we pull out the pull ups. It probably does not help that he drinks down 2 cups of milk or juice before bed each night. We've had accidents, but ususally they're the fault of mom or dad forgetting to remind him to go potty. These days, gone is the seat with blue handles and the stool he used to stand on. He doesn't need them anymore- and most days he doesn't need me to help. Sadly, my baby is growing up.

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