No More Diapers

Potty Training Your Child In The Best Way Possible

By
Relationship Advice Expert April Masini

Q: Dear April Masini,

I'm taking the big step of starting to potty train my child as he will be entering nursery school very soon. I am greatly looking forward to him being out of diapers and able to go to school and use the bathroom on his own. As he is ahead of most of my other friends' children in most regards, it will be exciting for him to be one of the first to be potty trained as well. Do you have any tips for how I can get my son potty trained as quickly as possible?

Sincerely,

Potty Train Fast

A:

Dear Potty Train Fast,

Potty training is often dictated by nursery and pre-school standards these days. Most pre-schools take children at age two years and nine months, and many of them do not accept children who are not potty trained. Because parents who work want their children in pre-school, and parents who don't work often want their children in pre-school because it is fashionable now, they pressure their children to potty train at this age.

Potty training is a very big deal for children and parents. Parents sometimes don't realize, however, how important this stage is, developmentally, to a child and they focus on the social aspects of potty training rather than the independence, self-control, and separation aspects of the dynamic that the child goes through.

When NOT to potty train:

Given the enormity of potty training, the holidays are NOT the best time to start potty training or to crack down on it. In fact, this would be a time to ease off. The Holidays bring with them excitement, different situations and places, and a lot of sugar and irregular sleep. All of these things are potty training pitfalls. Knowing this, it is best for your child to take a break from potty training during the Holidays, and while you shouldn't force a reversion to diapers, let your child set the potty training standard. If they want diapers or pull ups, this is the time to go easy on them and allow them. In fact, ask them if they want a choice before bedtime, or dressing during the day.

The point of potty training:

The point of potty training is success. The speed of getting there is less important. It's not a race. It's a quality challenge. Enjoy your child's transition rather than look at it as a win/lose situation.

April Masini -- nicknamed "the new millennium's Dear Abby" by the media, is author of the best-selling books Date Out Of Your League and Think & Date Like A Man, the two (just released) step-by-step dating and relationship manuals, Ideas for a Fun Date and Romantic Date Ideas, and the critically acclaimed dating and relationship online magazine www.AskApril.com.

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