Being a new parent is a great experience, but just like with any of life's greatest joys, there are some pros and cons, and new parents just have to learn to take the good with the bad. For every blissful moment of watching your newborn baby yawn or smile, there is an awful one of changing soiled diapers. It's just one of the simple realities of parenthood. New parents inevitably find themselves changing a diaper every two or three hours, just waiting for the day that their new child can use a toilet all by themselves — but there's a step in between that happening and that step is potty training.
The main problem with potty training is that it seems to take forever! As a general rule of thumb, girls are generally potty-trained a little earlier than boys, but either way, the little ones are still going to need a little help in this department until they are around four to five years old.
The good news is that potty training your child doesn't need to be quite so tedious and time-consuming. Sure, there are no miraculous ways to get kids to understand the concept immediately, but there are few tried and true tricks parents can try to help their little ones get the hang of it sooner rather than later.
New parents, we suggest taking notes!
1. Have A Reward System In Place For Successful Potty Use
Kids tend to learn a little faster if they know there will an award for their efforts. It doesn't have to be candy, stickers will work just fine or add a coin to a jar for each successful trip that they can spend on anything they want when they eventually learn the ropes.
2. If They Don't Want To Go, Have Them Blow Bubbles
If you sit your child down on the potty but they refuse to go, have them blow some bubbles. Not only is it fun, but it helps loosen the stomach muscles, making it easier to do what they've got to do.
3. Make Going At Night A Little More Fun With This Toilet Nightlight
This nightlight illuminates the bowl in any color you choose, making it more fun for children at night. An added bonus is that you don't need to burn your retinas off by turning the light on in the middle of the night.
4. Have Them Wear Underwear, Preferably With Their Favorite Characters On Them
Your child is likely going to have quite a few accidents while potty training, so just keep a lot of undies on hand, instead of washing a ton of clothes. If the underwear has their favorite characters on it, you can tell them that they don't want to get those guys wet.
5. Have Them Drink A Lot Of Water
Not only is it important for kids to be well hydrated, this will make sure your kids get plenty of practice.
6. Lose The Distractions
With the sheer amount of fluids kids take in, your child is going to need to go to the bathroom at any moment, so you need to be alert and ready!
7. It's Not All Going To Be Number One, But Putting A Coffee Filter In The Potty Helps Clean Number Two
Just don't confuse it for your actual coffee first thing in the morning and this should make cleaning up a breeze.
8. Just Follow the Instructions In This Picture
It works and will also probably be the easiest thing you'll have to clean in this entire process
9. Let Them Know When You're Disappointed
We all know that positive reenforcement is a good thing, but children need to know when they've let you down sometimes, as well (just do it in a calm and helpful way).
10. Let's Face It, Accidents Are Going To Happen
This is something that just can't be avoided. It's not all smooth sailing, but you can hope for the best.
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