Wipe Out: A Parent's Guide to Toilet Training
Toilet training doesn’t have to be all mess and stress—it can be an exciting milestone for both kids and parents! In this blog post, we explore creative tools, engaging resources, and expert-backed tips to make the journey smoother, from fun games and books to practical gadgets like toilet training watches. Get ready to turn those tiny accidents into big triumphs!
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Toilet training is a significant milestone in a child's development and can be both rewarding and challenging. As an occupational therapist and a parent who has recently navigated this journey, I found the process much more difficult than I originally anticipated. Here’s a comprehensive guide to help you and your child through this adventure.
Signs of Readiness
Before starting toilet training, it’s essential to identify whether your child is ready. Look for these signs:
- Physical Readiness: Your child can walk and sit down independently.
- Communication: They can express the need to go to the toilet using words or gestures.
- Dry Nappies: They stay dry for at least two hours at a time.
- Interest in Toileting: They show curiosity about using the toilet or wear “big kid” underwear.
- Discomfort with Dirty Nappies: They indicate discomfort when their nappy is wet or soiled.
My Personal Experience
Despite my professional background, I found toilet training my own toddler to be quite the adventure. We had several accidents with my daughter even falling into the bowl of the toilet in our local Westfield much to my germaphobe horror!
After close to six months of trial, error and countless accidents, we saw progress seemingly overnight. She went from having more than5 accidents and changes of clothes at daycare and home per day to suddenly none at all. It was such a relief, super exciting, and my daughter was just so proud of herself!
Learn from my mistakes!
Toilet training can be tricky, and the more I spoke with other parents the more I realised we are all in the same boat. Here are some common mistakes to avoid:
- Starting Too Early: Although it can be an exciting prospect to say goodbye to nappies, beginning toilet training before your child shows signs of readiness can lead to frustration for both of you.
- Inconsistency: I was pretty guilty of this one. Inconsistency in routine, expectations and reward systems caused confusion for my little one. I reverted back to nappies when I was finding it all too hard myself. As hard as it is, try to maintain a consistent schedule.
- Negative Reinforcement: When accidents happen (and they will!) remaining calm and not reacting can be harder than it seems. Punishing accidents can create anxiety around toileting, rewards are the way to go!
- Comparing to Others: With social media at our fingertips, comparisons are easy to do. Every child is different. Comparing your child’s progress to others can lead to unnecessary pressure.
Troubleshooting Tips
If you encounter challenges during toilet training, consider these troubleshooting tips:
- Patience and Positivity: Stay patient and positive. Celebrate small successes and avoid pressuring your child.
- Routine: Or toilet timing! Establish a consistent toileting routine, such as sitting on the toilet after meals and before bedtime.
- Comfort and Accessibility: Make the toilet a comfortable and accessible space. Use a child toilet seat, or potty from Kmart/Target to help your child feel secure.
- Modelling: It may feel a little awkward, but demonstrating toilet use can be one of the most effective tools. Allowing your child to observe family members can set you on the path to success.
- Encouragement: Offer gentle encouragement and praise your child for their efforts, even if they don’t succeed every time. Reward your child with something fun to do whilst sitting on the toilet like a special toilet toy or a book to read to encourage prolonged sitting.
Reflecting on the Journey
We didn’t really have support systems in place, so we relied heavily on books, games, and toilet toys to socialise the concept. Even when our daughter had accidents, she wanted to be celebrated. It was pretty funny! She responded well to little things like stickers with each success.
One of the most rewarding moments was when we finally saw progress. It felt like a huge accomplishment not just for my toddler, but for us as a team. Celebrating each milestone, no matter how small, helped keep our spirits high and our toddler motivated.
Resources I found helpful as an OT mum toilet training her first child!
Poo Poo Bum Bum Wee Wee: A rhyming toilet training book : Cowell, Steven: Amazon.com.au: Books
Kids Superhero Dress Up Sets, Capes AND MASK Costumes for Christmas, Birthday Party Gifts (BU PK) : Amazon.com.au: Toys & Games Now, hear me out on this one! Another idea is to have a ‘poo cape’. The hardest part of this is setting up the expectation that the child is only allowed to wear their cape when they need to go to the toilet. Then, after they’ve successfully been (or attempted) and washed their hands, they can fly around in their cape. This sounds silly, but you’d be surprised what motivates our little ones!
Conclusion
Toilet training is a significant developmental milestone that requires patience, consistency, and understanding. By recognising the signs of readiness, avoiding common mistakes, and applying practical troubleshooting tips, you can help your child achieve this important skill. Remember, every child is unique, and it’s essential to approach toilet training with flexibility and positivity.
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