Make Potty Training Easy Peasy With My Top Tips

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Now I know not everyone will want to start potty train at 6 months, like I did.  So I asked Emma, the Real Supermum (http://therealsupermumblog.com) to share her tips for potty training in this guest post.  Emma is mum to 6 children, yes you read it right SIX children aged 1, 2, 3, 8, 9, and 12 years, happily married and a self confessed workaholic. ” I ran my own online business for years, I also owned a real brick and mortar shop, selling ladies fashion and children’s clothing. I have also helped others set up in business online.  I set up my Facebook mums group in May 2010 to offer a safe place to talk about any worries these mums may have. I dedicate what spare time I have helping mums.”

Before you even decide to potty train, it is essential that your child is ready. Not all children are ready to be nappy free at the same time, so just because your friend’s two year old is potty trained, does not mean that your child is ready to even begin training. Many mums make the mistake of starting too early, this only leads to problems later on. I would never recommend anyone to start potty training before the age of two and find the age between two and a half to 3 years the perfect time.

Being toilet trained does become an obsession for some mums. Yes the cost of nappies and the pressure placed upon us when our child is to begin nursery, we all seem to be in a huge rush to get them out of nappies as soon as possible. Sadly rushing this can result in even more problems. Until a child is physically and mentally ready to be toilet trained, you are doing more bad than good.

Here are my own top tips to make potty training easy peasy:

• Recognise the signs when your child needs to “go”, clutching that area is always a give away sign.
• Make it easier for them by having elasticated waist trousers, easy to quickly pull down
• Try to get them to explain to you what it feels like to them when they need to go to the toilet.
• When they use the potty/toilet jump up and down like a clown, dance around the room , praise, praise and more praise.
• Repeat 50 times a day – Do you need a wee/poo ?
• If using a potty keep it close by. But do not allow it to become a seat, it has a purpose.
• If your child is shy, put the potty in a hiding place, don’t stand and watch.
• Allow your child to go to the toilet with you, show them it is not a scary place.
• If you are going out/visiting family/friends, take the potty with you, do not be tempted to put your child back in nappies, or you have to start all over again.
• Never ever get angry with accidents, mop it up without fuss.
• Stay calm and have confidence, if they don’t get it right today, there is always tomorrow.
• Stop hiding when you go to the toilet, if you do you are showing that its somehow dirty/shameful. Let them pass you the toilet roll and flush the chain.
• Big boys/girls pants are always welcomed, especially featuring their favourite TV character.

Potty training can be easy peasy if you remain calm and prepared …

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What’s worked for you?  Any other suggestions?

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