Next to "the talk", you know the one about where babies come from, potty training is the one aspect of parenthood that gives parents the most apprehension. Honestly, it isn't that hard. What it takes is patience and consistency. I have potty-trained 8 children very quickly. Different children require different techniques. Let me share with you our success and how you can successfully potty train your child.
Potty training your first child is probably the most difficult. Maybe he or she has observed their father for boys, or mother for girls, going to the bathroom. That toddler will start relating what Dad or Mom is doing to what they are trying to do.
Graco Baby Play Yard
Our first child, a son, was potty trained at 2 years and 9 months. We were forced to stay indoors due to the new baby's illness, so it was a perfect time for this first time experiment at potty-training. We gave Dan salty potato chips and juice, effectively filling his bladder. I kept a potty chair in the kitchen where we trained so there would be no accidents on carpet or hardwood floors. Every 15 minutes we set Dan on the potty chair with a book for relaxation. Each time he
would urinate, we would praise him and give him an M & M candy. There was positive reinforcement at every instance. After two or three afternoons of this, Dan got the basic idea. I kept him in cotton cloth training underpants for a few weeks. These days parents use paper pull ups. This is an intensely focused method for potty training.
Potty training a second child is easier for two reasons. First off, you have experience. Secondly, child #2 has been observing the success and praise that child #1 received. With your second child reaffirm the positive results he or she will get from being a big boy or girl by being trained. You can use the chips and juice method or you can try a new method.
With our third child, life got busier, as is to be expected. We spent a lot of time outside in our back yard.
So our potty training reflected this. Here is what we did: we let our third child, also our third son, run naked in the back yard. This was such a relaxed way to potty train. Every 15 minutes I asked this child to sit on the potty chair. But that is not where the success comes from. Actually, it is better for a naked boy to see himself urinate. He is making vital connections in the workings of his specific plumbing. He feels the fullness of his bladder and then seconds later he is urinating!! After he urinates, tell him lovingly, that he needs to do that in the potty. He will 'get it' so quickly, in a very relaxed way. And you don't have to keep feeding him chips, juice and M & Ms!!!
Now telling you about running naked in the yard will lead to concern about children having bm's (bowel movements) outside. Letting your children play naked in the yard means you need to be outside with them. You need to be observant of what they are doing all the time so that you can make the necessary corrections. If they do more than urinate, clean it up and tell them it goes in the bowl in the potty chair. Then wipe their bottom and dispose of the mess in the proper way. Oh! And don't forget the sunscreen on their delicate skin.
Some might ask if letting them toilet outside will lead to inappropriate behavior away from home. I say NO! All that is required is consistent training and reinforcement.
You would think I would be a professional when it came to child #4. This son was stubborn as a mule! He would not potty train! I never got angry but encouraged him to be a big boy! Finally when this son was 3 ½ years old, I told him he would stay in his room until he got himself dressed and with clothe underpants. He was angrily crying for 15 minutes, but emerged victorious from his room 30 minutes later, fully dressed. After breakfast I sat him on his potty chair and he went potty. There were a couple of accidents through out the day, but within 24 hours he was trained for good!
Sons #5, #6, and #7 were all potty trained outside. Finally we had a daughter. When we potty trained her I took a different approach. I operated on beauty. I gave her pretty panties and told her she would not want to get them wet or dirty. She responded in complete agreement but accidents still happened. So I resorted to running naked in the back yard. Now, the funny thing about this was, Elisabeth had seen her brothers urinate, so she logically thought to go.......standing up! A couple of days later, she was potty trained sitting down.
Now, a couple of last points. Is it better to have boys train standing up or sitting down? I believe there is more control sitting down and that boys should be encouraged to urinate in a sitting position for as long as possible.
There is a current movement of potty training when children are just babies under a year of age. I wonder who is being trained, Mother or baby? I have yet to meet a person with a successful case of potty training this way.
Some parents will let their youngsters potty train themselves. They reason that when their child is ready, he/she will do it on their own. But with the expense of paper diapers or pull-ups, most parents lean toward the sooner, the better.
Whichever method you choose, be patient with your child as they learn this vital step towards independence.
Black Friday Graco TotBloc Pack 'N Play with Carry Bag, Bugs Quilt 2011 Deals
Nov 18, 2011 11:35:41
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Black Friday Graco TotBloc Pack 'N Play with Carry Bag, Bugs Quilt Feature
- Large and roomy 36" x 36" square play space for little one to play
- Sets up and folds in less than a minute for use anywhere and everywhere
- Durable frame weighs less than 25 pounds and airy mesh on all sides provide maximum ventilation
- Convenient carrying bag for no-fuss travel and storage
- Easy to clean
Black Friday Graco TotBloc Pack 'N Play with Carry Bag, Bugs Quilt Overview
Whether home or away, this Pack 'N Play Playard helps you give Baby a safe place to play. It has a strong, stable frame and airy mesh walls so Baby's comfortable and 4 interactive bug toys to keep him entertained. The roomy square design gives him plenty of play space to crawl, explore, and figure out what to do with all those developing muscles. It sets up and folds in less than a minute and comes with a handy carry bag, so you can easily bring it with you to your yard, the beach, Grandma's, or anywhere the day might take you.Black Friday Graco TotBloc Pack 'N Play with Carry Bag, Bugs Quilt Specifications
The first thing to note about Graco’s pack ‘n play is that it is larger than many playards. This colorful, mesh-sided pen unfolds to a 38" x 38" square, rather than the rectangular shape of most others on the market. While this equates to needing more space, it also means that baby is provided with a bigger (and sturdier) area to play in. The playard’s stability comes from a four-footed metal frame, which-along with the four corner feet-gives it eight points of contact with the ground. |
| The included bag makes storing and carrying easy. |
Baby will appreciate the extra space, the friendly bug motif, being able to see mom and dad through the soft mesh walls, and the four interactive toys-one on each side. There’s a sun with a mirror at its center, teaching baby self-awareness. The ladybug’s body houses a squeak toy. Show them how to beep it to teach ear, eye, and hand coordination. Both the bee and the butterfly have wings that "flap" inside the playpen-one set creates a rattling noise when moved, while the other makes a crinkling sound. Baby will enjoy the different sounds, textures, and stimulations the toys offer, while parents will enjoy not having to pick them up or losing them.
Care for the pack ’n play is easy: use a damp cloth or sponge with household soap to wipe vinyl, plastic, and metal parts; the bag can be machine washed and either line dried or tumbled on low. Should you need to replace the bag or floor pad, both are available for purchase separately.
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