Potty Training...Teach Kids at Home

When you are trying to survive the economic recession, it's worth taking the time to teach kids at home how to use the potty. I always started my children once they got to be pretty good walkers. Diapers can certainly be expensive, so what better time is there than now to focus on potty training? This is another great thing about being at home with your kids. You have the opportunity to focus on potty training.

If your child starts taking his or her diaper off on their own, then that is a sure sign that they are ready to start potty training. This actually shows that they understand that their diaper is wet or soiled, and even more importantly, they don't like the feeling. Potty training is often a very difficult time for parents. Try to use these simple steps:

1) Always start your child out going potty at home. (You have to be consistent and you should be the one to introduce the whole pottying experience. There are also great books for pottying. These books encourage pottying and can be read during potty time or any other time throughout the day..)

2) Be sure to start on a weekend or even better, a long weekend or vacation if you're a working parent. (You will need a few days to get things rolling)

3) I personally don't like to use pull-ups at home because I think kids get mixed messages. They know it looks like a diaper and feels like a diaper. They may go potty in the pull-up more than in underwear. (FYI... Some daycare centers do not allow underwear for children that don't go potty yet because of contamination if they soil their underwear)

4) If possible allow your child to see someone else go potty like a sibling, this way they can see exactly what the potty is for. Kids learn well by model. If they don't grasp the concept of the potty, at least it will lower the chances of your child fearing the potty.

5) Put your child on the potty every hour if need be. This way your odds are better of not missing them when they go.

6) Learn your child's signs for pottying... (Faces, standing or squatting position, or hiding spots) When you see these signs you will know to have them make a run for the potty. In the beginning you will probably be carrying them to the potty, but that's okay. ;)

7) You can sing a song to keep the child entertained on the potty. Some kids get tired of just sitting there and try to leave immediately. You should stay in there with your child so they don't feel alone. When they are ready to get up it's okay to let them go. They will do this often in the beginning.

8) When your child does go potty, be sure to praise them. Not only do they simply deserve it, they also will begin to WANT to go potty. This is a time when stickers will come in handy.

Once your child has started pottying, be sure to communicate the pottying strategies you are using for your child if they are ever in the presence of someone else like a grandmother or teacher. Share as much info as possible, because you will need for them to do things the way that you are at home. Consistency is key but do not push kids too hard. They may fear going potty and that will make your job much harder.

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