Away From Home Articles
Read through our extensive library of potty training articles and learn all about how to help your child become a Big Kid. Click here to see all articles.
3 Common Potty Training Challenges...And How to Overcome Them !
by Page Turner, Tennessee
Potty training is a big accomplishment in a toddler’s life and a great source of pride for both parent and child. But along the way, every toddler will run into minor setbacks on his or her path to success.
"Setbacks are a natural part of the potty training process," said Stacy DeBroff, former PULL-UPS® Potty Training Partner and author of The Mom Book: 4,278 Tips for Moms. "Just because you and your child are both ready to begin potty training doesn’t mean that your toddler’s mind and body are always on board. The key to overcoming all these challenges is to remain positive and patient."
Challenge #1: Knows How to Go, but Likes to Say "No!" - from former PULL-UPS® Potty Training Partner Jan Faull and author of Mommy, I have to go Potty!
Your child has been to the bathroom. She sat on the potty. She knows how to go. And yet, out of nowhere, she seems to have lost interest and effort for the potty training process.
"Children can be willful," said Jan Faull, M.Ed. "If they feel they’re being pushed too hard or too fast, their tempers can flare and they’ll resist progress. The bottom line is you can’t complete the process without your child’s participation, so you’ve got to let him or her be in the driver’s seat."
Faull’s Tips to Overcome Challenge #1
-- Admit that you need your child’s help. Explain to your child that you can’t do this without her, and you want to help her become a Big Kid®. Stress her importance in the process, and ask what you can do to help her along the way.
-- Temporarily stop training. Postponing training is not a failure; it’s a reevaluation of your child’s state of completion from diapers. When your child is ready to begin potty training again, she will demonstrate her willingness to get back into the process, and you can resume her path to success.
Challenge #2: Training While You Travel - from Jen Singer, former PULL-UPS® Potty Training Partner and author of 14 Hours Til Bedtime: A Stay-at-Home Mom’s Life in 27 Funny Little Stories.
Your child knows how to potty like a pro on home turf, but taking his act on the road – on family vacations or even when running errands – has yet to be successful.
"In the eyes of a toddler, the potty at home and a public toilet are two entirely different things," said Jen Singer. "They look different and sound different, and that can be very intimidating."
Singer’s Tips to Overcome Challenge #2:
Pack it up, pack it in: Kids need consistency, so when you’re on the go, pack familiar potty training supplies, like PULL-UPS® Training Pants, a child-size adapter seat and even a favorite book to put your child at ease.
Plan your potty path: When your child has to go, he has to go! You don’t want to make him wait because you didn’t plan ahead. On longer road trips, check out state maps and make sure your route has enough public rest stops or heavily developed exits that will have facilities. For trips around town, make yourself aware of where restrooms are in stores and which stores have clean facilities, and if necessary, call ahead to smaller shops to get clearance to use employee-only restrooms.
Toilet tours: Even if your child doesn’t have to go, make regular visits to restrooms, not only to give your child a chance to change his mind, but also to make him realize that everyone goes potty and so should he!
Challenge #3: Pajama Potty - from former PULL-UPS® Potty Training Partner Stacy DeBroff
Daytime training has become a breeze for your child, but she still has nighttime setbacks.
"Going potty during the night can be hard for a child, because waking up and getting to the potty on time requires a lot of work, plus Mom and Dad are sleeping so it’s harder to get help," said DeBroff.
DeBroff’s Tips to Overcome Challenge #3:
Prep your potty: Make sure your bathroom is ready for your child, so that when she does make it there, she doesn’t have to wait. Leave the potty seat out or the adapter seat on your toilet, and keep a stool already in position to boost your child onto the toilet or up to the sink to wash up. Also, light the way with a nightlight in the bathroom and in your child’s bedroom.
