Welcome mummies... and daddies to my latest blog!
Harry has been dry in the day time for almost 6 weeks! yay. He turned 2 last month and i was really preparing myself for the weeks/months ahead potty training a boy as I had a read they could be harder than girls.
Well, 6 weeks on and 3 weeks no accidents here are my top 10 tips to potty training.
NO.1 - DONT EXPECT IT TO HAPPEN OVER NIGHT
Chris and I had left Harry's potty around since he was 18 months old, literally left it in the living room for him to engage and look to see what is was and what to do with it. We of course would refer to it as a wee wee and poo poo and name is ''Harry's Potty''
NO. 2 - KEEP THE NAPPY OFF
At home the whole process of Harry's early day's of potty training we kept his nappy off, yes he would have accidents, and yes we were prepared with lots of kitchen roll and carpet cleaner but the biggest goal we are trying to achieve in potty training is Harry understanding when it is on the way out, yep, wee and poo poo! Sooo by keeping them nappy free, he soon started to learn it HAS to go somewhere!
No. 3 - ACCCIDENTS ARE OK!
Keep it fun, and as stress free for all parties involved, you daddy and toddler! If they have an accident, its a ohhhh dear, oopps a daisy, this was meant to be for the potty, we would always still say oohhh quickly harry on the potty even if he was mid way through!
NO. 4 - PRAISE AND LOTS OF IT!
We actually never got to the point of sticker charts, or treats but we did do a whole of Whoops, YAYs, Cuddles in the air (mainly daddy!) and Claps! Harry absolutely thrived from it and it was soon a hobbie to be on and off the potty! Horay no more carpet accidents!
NO. 5 - ENGAGE WITH TEDDY BEARS
Early on we would often say birthday bear (Harrys fave bear) is off for the toilet and would pop him on the potty, we often now catch him putting him back on there and wiping his bottom - very cute indeed!
No.6 - DO NOT BUY PANTS UNTIL FREQUENTLY USING POTTY
Pants to a toddler who's learning are still a cover up! I.e. They won't know in the beginning the difference between a nappy or pants and you will end up with lots of wet clothes. Hand on heart Harry has had I would say 5 accidents in total since being in pants, and I truly believe it was because we didn't rush into pants so early on.
No.7 - THEME YOUR PANTS!
Once confident you feel your little one is on and off the potty, go for it with pants! Its such an exciting time, and lots of oh wow your in your big boy pants now. Harry's was Paw Patrol and at every given time he couldnt wait to show me what pup was on the front!
No.8 - ONCE THE PANTS ARE ON, NO NAPPIES!
DO NOT be tempted to put the nappy on after an accident, you are basically un doing all that you have been working for these past few days/week! It can become a frustrating time, but hang in there. Don't be out for too long away from a home/toilet, start out with an hour or so from the house, and build up. Explain if there has been an accident, ohh silly billy bladder, and pop a clean fresh pair of pants on!
No. 9 - ACCEPT IF ACCIDENTS KEEP HAPPENING, THEY ARE NOT READY
I honestly hand on heart said to my husband, do you know i think we should just bite the bullet and go for it, Harry has been so frequent on the potty, lets go get some pants and see what happens, If he isnt ready, we will soon know! So don't feel you have to battle if you keep having frequent accidents, leave it and start back a month or so later.
Come on mummies, we have enough washing to do as it is right?!
No.10 - GIVE YOURSELF A PAT ON THE BACK
Yep thats right, you have just completed one of the challenges parenthood throws at you, go and buy yourself your favorite bottle of wine!
