Thursday, March 24, 2011

Tips on Potty Training Boys and Girls

It can be especially exciting and challenging for a parent once their child is ready for potty training. Potty training both boys and girls has its own unique challenges. Unlike other developmental areas, boys and girls are different when it comes to potty training. It is not uncommon for a little girl to be ready to potty train at the very early age of 2. Boys are usually about a year behind and are sometimes not ready until 3 or even 4 years old. The most important thing is to not rush your child. Potty training is challenging enough without the added stress of the child not being ready.

You will know when you child is ready when they start telling you they need to potty or when they are telling you that they have already pottied. Most parents get frustrated when the child tells them after the fact, but that is still a very positive step even if the child has already gone in their diaper. Another exciting step is when they child wants to be changed. When they do not want the soiled diaper on their skin. When it makes them uncomfortable, then that is a good sign. I am in no way saying you should leave your child in a soiled diaper. This can lead to bad diaper rash, blisters, and the child being miserable. I am just saying that when the child asks to be changed, then they are associating the potty with discomfort and are looking for a way to get rid of that discomfort.

One major tip is to get the child a potty that sits on the ground. Most children are more comfortable when their feet are touching the ground. We want the child to be comfortable and at ease when they sit on the potty. Another major question is, do you potty train a boy standing or sitting? The over whelming answer for a boy is to train him sitting down. Some dad's might not like this, but it is the easiest way for a boy to learn. Most grown men have a hard time hitting the toilet. It would be especially difficult for a little guy who has no experience with control his urine stream. This is an added stress that neither mom or dad need.

Obviously, girls will be potty trained sitting down. Another mojor key to success when potty training is the excessive amount of praise. Most parents only want to praise a child for actually going potty in the potty. For the best results, praise the child for the behavior of sitting on the potty, not just going in the potty. You want to make sure the actually sitting on the potty is fun and becomes a habit. The best way to do this is to give your child lots of praise and encouragement. Once they like sitting on the potty, the actual act of using it will come.

Amy Thomas is an expert on potty training. She invites you to learn more about potty training boys and girls.

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