I recently had the opportunity to meet the team behind the Pull-Ups Big Kid Academy at the Kimberly Clark headquarters in Wisconsin. The event was an eye opening experience for me as a mom. Although my little guy is almost completely potty trained, I learned new tips and insight that help me see things through a new perspective when it comes to potty training. I also learned the ins and outs of a pull-up. While that may sound strange you would be surprised by all the research that has gone into creating the perfect pull-up for boys AND girls. Did you know there’s an actual difference? I’m one of those moms who used older sister’s leftover pink pull-ups on the little guy. It turns out the pull-ups are gender specific to ensure proper use.
Here are a few things I learned from the event and experience:
Potty Training Tips
- Patience & understanding – Seems like common knowledge but you’d be surprised by how different each child’s personality can affect what you think is the best way to potty train. For example my daughter potty trained in a week, my son is a whole different story. He has a strong willed personality and would absolutely refuse to go anywhere near the potty unless it was his idea. Needless to say this required a lot of patience and understanding on our part. We really needed to step back and wait until he was physically and mentally ready for this new stage. Each child is different – we know this right? When it comes to potty training it’s essential that you take into consideration that child’s personality and what would work best for them. Things that worked perfectly for an older child may have zero effect on your little one’s potty training journey. Every child will potty train at their own pace. It can take as little as a week or months depending on the child.
Consistency:Â
- toddlers are living in a fast paced world where they learn new things and experiences everyday. They need someone to help keep things consistent for them. As a parent being consistent with potty trips will help ensure a successful potty training journey for your child. You can set reminders or have a display of potty times readily available. Did you know Pull-Ups has a potty training app? It customizes your child’s potty reminders based on their age and how often they go. It plays a cute tune when it’s time to potty and your child earns rewards like games and activities after trips to the potty.
Know when to step back:
- Have you tried potty training a child without initial success? Sometimes the child may not be ready to take on potty training full time. To avoid frustration for you and the child it’s best to step back and try again in a few weeks. Even if you know they can go potty in the toilet, they may not be ready take it on full time. Trust me it makes things go smoothly when both parent and child are committed to this new stage.
Have realistic expectations:
- As a mom I’ve encounter parents who shared stories of how their child potty trained by 18 months and the whole process was a breeze. Sometimes hearing those stories makes us feel as if we’re lacking if things don’t play out the same. A successful potty training journey will be accompanied by realistic expectations of yourself and the child. Potty training is a process that takes time. Help your child learn at his/her own pace, celebrate their successes, and enjoy the journey. Your child will only going through this once, enjoy this milestone in their lives!
Reward systems:
- My kids loved potty treats! Whether we gave them an M&Ms candy or stickers, they thrived with a system that rewarded them for using the potty. Rewards could be as simple as praising a child for going potty or objects that they enjoy playing with. For us reward systems worked like a charm. Please note that not every child will handle this system well and I completely respect your decision if you choose against this method. Every parent is different and I appreciate the fact that we choose to raise our children specific to our needs and parenting styles. If you’re a mom who thinks reward systems are great then check out the following ideas:
Disney Cars Chart
Disney Princess Chart
Sesame & Dora Chart
The little guy and I get to host a Big Kid Academy Playdate in a few weeks. I’m excited to share what I learned with our friends. I’m already thinking of cute playdate ideas for toddlers! Of course I’ll share party details and activities with you next month.