Different Kids, Different Potty Training Needs

9/4/2011 | by Jen Singer

You've pulled out all the tricks that helped your older child potty train: the Elmo potty seat, the "Everyone Poops" book and even the beloved fire truck stickers that were such motivating rewards for your older child. But your youngest child wants none of it. In fact, it appears that they just want to hide behind the dining room table and have a private moment far away from the potty. Now what?

You've just discovered that every child potty trains differently. What works for one kid -- even a sibling -- might not work for another. As a result, parents need to figure out what motivates their little one so they can make the potty training process go more smoothly with each child.

Here are ideas to consider when thinking through your potty training plan:

Potty or Toilet? One of my sons preferred to sit on a kid-sized potty while watching "It's Potty Time" on video, while my other son went straight to the toilet. Give your potty training child a choice, even if it means picking out a new potty or potty ring just for her. Or, let her personalize big sis' potty with her own stickers. Whatever works.

Picking Out Training Pants: I found that Pull-Ups® training pants let my kids practice the skill of pulling up and down “underpants” while still guaranteeing that my mother-in-law's couch was safe from potty training accidents. Nowadays, there are different types of Pull-Ups® designed for different types of potty trainees. Learning Designs®, with patterns that fade when wet, are great for kids who learn visually. Cool Alert® gives tots a cool feeling within seconds of wetting their Pull-Ups®.  And new Disney*Pixar Cars 2 designs and Disney Princesses encourage "happy pit stops."

Which Rewards? Some kids like stickers or little candies (one for a successful #1 and two for #2). Others find a rewards chart effective, while some prefer to call Grandma with the potty success news. You can find great potty training tools at Pull-Ups.com, including a customizable progress chart and Big Kid® rewards, such as door hangers, badges, coloring pages and more. And don't forget the Potty Dance!

Ask the Experts: If your potty training child has you stumped, you can get personalized expert advice at the Pull-Ups Facebook page, where we Potty Training Partners are on hand each week to answer all your questions. You can also find success tip cards on everything from teaching your tot how to recognize wet versus dry and dealing with detours, at Pull-Ups.com.