How 2 Do Things

Potty training a child can be a very difficult and emotionally draining process for parents. The technique described below worked for my children and they were all potty trained within 1 week.

1. Before you start this 1 week process, I recommend that your child is between the ages of 2 to 3. Also, your child should be ready for potty training. One of the main signals that your child is ready is that he/she has consistently had a dry diaper or pull-up when sleeping through the night. Your child also may also be signaling that he/she is ready by consistently going into a room alone to go potty in his/her diaper or pull-up. If your child is doing these things, you are ready for Step 2.

2. Buy a potty seat that fits on the regular toilet. You may also need to purchase a step so your child can get on the potty. I recommend a potty seat such as the First Years Princess Soft Trainer Seat or the Ginsey Dora Soft Potty Seat.

3. Buy a special candy or snack that your child loves and create a reward system and let your child know the reward system. For example, use candy such as Jelly Beans, M&M’s, or Skittles. Explain to your child that if he/she goes #1 on the potty, he/she will get 1 of the candies. If he/she goes #2 on the potty, he/she will get 3 candies. To get the reward, the child must go in the potty, show you he/she went in the potty, flush the toilet, and wash his/her hands. Use the reward system for 7 days.

4. The final step is to pick a large prize for after the 7th day. Find a large prize that is something your child really wants such as a new bicycle or a princess outfit. Print out a few pictures of the prize on your computer and tape it in the bathroom and in their bedroom on Day 1. Every night at bedtime count down the days to the large prize and explain that if he/she continues to use the potty, he/she will get the prize.

5. After the final day, go with the child and purchase the large prize and explain how it is because he/she is a big boy/girl and uses the potty. Explain how if he/she continues to use the potty he/she can keep the prize and if they decide not to, the prize will go away.