Potty Training Help

So it has been forever since I potty trained my kids, but it is definitely a time no one forgets. So I will start with a story about my son that I will never forget. My son was not too hard at the training and peeing part in the potty, but the poo was another story. He just would not let those little buggers go. So every time he had to go poo he would not go on the potty. Something with the kids and letting go with that part makes them just hold it - the fear of the drop I think. So time and time again he would have to go in his pull-ups - till that started getting expensive - I switched him back into diapers and called them open sided sleep pants - he did not realize they were diapers and they were cheaper. So anyway, he would do good peeing and when he had too poo he would refuse and I had to put him in "Open Sided Sleep Pants" and he would go. Till one day I said no more. So my son refused to go poo for I think 3 days or so - he held it - no way was he letting it go down the potty. So after the 3 days of pain and agony he could no longer take it and mom was not giving in (I have to say one of the hardest things ever, but I held in there) he sat on the potty and exploded. After that he realized it was not so bad to send off his poo to the toilet ocean where they could set sail to a whole new world. Boy did he feel better and so did I.
My daughter was much easier than him and enjoyed a nice chart where she could stick on stickers every time she went and get a prize after a set amount on drops. Just goes to show girls do very well with the bribes of material things, but hey whatever worked.

Well it started with me writing about How to remove hard water stains from your toilet. As I was writing about that I started seeing some of the coolest fun things for toilets. Things that would have excited my kids to use the potty. So I decided to write about it and hope that maybe one of the things you find here may help get your child using The Throne and feeling good and excited about it. I wish some of this stuff was around when I was training - they just keep coming out with great stuff.

Ya know when it comes to potty time and training you ask yourself some crazy questions. Like:
How do I get Started?
When do I start?
How to you teach a child to wipe?
How do you teach a boy to shake it?
How do you explain the whole thing period?

There is help out there - between books and DVD's etc...
I prepared my kids with great books about going potty and there are tons of them to choose from. It helps get the stage set and questions out of the way.
There is so much information available out there so i am not gonna get into all of it. Really the best information comes from your friends who have been there done that.

For me - I did both. I started with a small portable potty the kids called their own and set it up in the bathroom. I have to say the potty has come a long way - you can get any style you want from basic to the big kahuna of potties. Some put it in other rooms in the house, but why? Keep it in the bathroom folks. So when mommy sat on the pot - the kids sat on the pot. They like to do what the parents do so it is a good way to get them sitting on it. It is all a matter of preference - the big potty can be so scary to the little ones who think they will get sucked in with their tiny butts hanging in.
BUT - they do have the little seats to put on the big potty - I used that also once they got the hang of it all. It kinda gets gross cleaning the little pot over and over - much easier to just flush.
The other good thing about the portable one is that you can take it with you in the car if you need to.
I never had to do that, but some do.

Ewww the wiping part. This is not a favorite at all. Teaching the kids to wipe their bottoms clean and free their new adorable underwear of the dreaded track marks.
First they need to learn that the whole roll of toilet paper is not required to get them selves clean. Rolling all of it around their hands in not the best idea. Just enough to cover the hand to avoid contact.
So start with how much toilet paper is enough to get the job done. Maybe hand the child pieces till they learn. Explain how important it is to have a clean bottom to avoid the itchies. They must make sure they are all clean when the toilet paper is free of - well you know.
Then decide what will work best for them - the around the back method or between the legs. Such a horrible subject, but part of life I guess huh?
Help them with encouraging words and lots of good jobs. They will do it right with time, but will need lots of help to get there.

The Girls - Parts are different ya know and different methods for each. Teach your girl to pat herself dry after going pee pee - and around back method is always best for the girls for poo.

The Boys - Boys are lucky - they can sit or stand to pee. Gotta teach that boy to control the hose when standing some can get carried away with that thing. You also gotta teach them to tuck it in when sitting or the other wall will get it. And there is that shake dry method - well let the men handle that part.

MOST IMPORTANT: WASH THOSE HANDS WHEN DONE!!!

I hate public restrooms, but sometimes we just have to do it - there is only so much dancing we can do as we age. But the kids - they need to go when you see that dance start or else a bigger mess is gonna happen - been there cleaned that.
Just be prepared when going out at all times with spare pants, underwear - and do not forget socks and shoes - it runs down folks. Carry anti- bacterial cleanser in your purse at all times. Oh and I always carried the fancy folding potty seat and a bag to stick it in when done so you can clean it when u get home, but disposable seat covers will do also.

Ok I call it bribing, but really it is using incentives to help get the kids excited about going potty. Some need this and some don't - of course mine did. Ya know what - maybe this is when it all started cause they still need bribes to do things - hmmmm. Anyhow, I used charts with fun stickers and had incentive prizes set up for what ever amount of times you want to use for them to go. So basically ever time they made a deposit sorta speak, they then got to put a sticker on the chart. After so many deposits they got to pick a prize. You can do this so many ways - it really is what ever works for your child and you.
Ideas
Make a chart together - have the child color it in
Have your child pick the stickers you will be using
Have them help choose rewards and time frames
Get them involved!!!

So you think you have the whole potty thing down - when do you take the plunge to the big kid UNDERPANTS. Oh the part where you save all that money on ditching the disposables once and for all - to see your wallet growing at just the thought of it. Yes it is very exciting to get there. The thought of all the cute little undies with designs and your babies cute little butt walking around in them.
I went from Pull-Ups to underwear - I never really did the training pants (thicker underwear) although some do. It is all a matter of choice and what your child's progression is. I think they get just as wet.
You will know when it is time to make the switch - do not question your parenting. When your child seems free of accidents then get them in the cotton bundles of joy.
Tips:
Take your child shopping and let them pick out their new underpants so they are excited about it just like you - this is a BIG thing.
I started them in their new undies at home. Let them walk the home runway before taking them out in them to see how they do. It is an amazing feeling to them and very different. And yes they may have accidents - it is ok do not get mad at them.
When we went out we used the pull-ups. Once they had no issues - well then they got wear the new undies out. Yahoo!! Oh like I have said above - always go out prepared with extra Pants, Undies, Socks & Shoes in the car. A good parent is a prepared parent.
Have a Potty Party to celebrate
I will talk about bedtime below.

First you must start off knowing accidents are accidents, you cannot get mad at a child for having a bedtime accident - they have no control over that. It all comes with time, but some kids may have accidents for years - they cannot help it. DO NOT MAKE A CHILD FEEL BAD FOR HAVING AN ACCIDENT. What you can do is be prepared for it. Have your child sleep in pull-ups until you feel they are free from bedtime accidents - you will know when they are ready to say good bye to them. Also - have a water proof pad on the mattress to protect it and always have 2 and a clean pair of sheets available for the middle of the night changes. Kids can have accidents to all ages, but if it is a huge problem talk to your doctor.
Tips
Make sure your child goes to the bathroom before bed - that is a must
Do not give your child drinks before bed

I do not know much about this part of it all. A fellow Squidoo-er brought this to my attention and I think it is a good thing to add. Re-Lapsing is normal for some - just when you think you have it all done and you got the cute undies on - BLAM your child starts relapsing back to going in their pants.
Do not panic - Do not punish them. This can happen. It can have many causes - Did you change the environment? Did something tramatic happen? Is their stress in the house? It is no longer fun? It could one of many factors.
Just start your process all over again just like you did when it worked. If it stills continues to be a problem I would then talk to your doctor.