| How to be diaper-free in 7 days! | | | | use the potty, have a nice, sparkly sticker waiting |
| For some reason, I think I was more intimidated | | | | for them. Praise themendlessly. Tell them how |
| about potty training than my children were about | | | | proud you are. Call relatives and have them praise |
| using the potty. I got more advice on potty | | | | your child. |
| training than I can even remember. With my first | | | | Tell the world!o Do NOT put a diaper on for |
| child, I tried a few different things before I found | | | | naptime. Make sure you give them a chance to |
| what really works. It's so basic - anyone can do it. | | | | potty beforenaptime. Have an extra sheet and |
| I don't believe in the hype that children need to | | | | cleaning supplies ready if they have an accident. If |
| potty train later these days. Any child with | | | | theywake up clean & dry then say, "Wow, |
| average intelligence can begin by their 2nd | | | | Johnny you woke up clean and dry!" Have them |
| birthday (or before). | | | | feeltheir training pants and gush over them some |
| Now above all else, remember: PATIENCE. This | | | | more. Another sticker is in order for that!o You |
| process is new for them. It WILL take several | | | | may or may not put a diaper on the child for the |
| days. They WILL have several accidents. Never, | | | | first night or two - depending on howit's going. But |
| Never, Never get mad when they have an | | | | by the 3rd night, no diapers at all. I would put |
| accident. When they have an accident, you do | | | | them down at their normalbedtime, then before |
| want to point it out though. | | | | you go to bed - take them one last time (1/2 |
| Say, "Did you have an accident? Did you forget | | | | asleep) to the bathroom. |
| to tell Mommy? What are you supposed to say | | | | They'll go right back to sleep.o So at this point, |
| when you need to potty?" | | | | you're not using (or buying) diapers anymore. By |
| Steps for Success:o Go out and buy 5 to 7 pairs | | | | the end of the week-you'll start seeing fewer and |
| of the thick, cotton training pants (not disposable | | | | fewer accidents.o When you need to leave the |
| training pants).o Clear your schedule. The first 2 to | | | | house, bring one or two extra pairs of training |
| 3 days, you'll need to stay at home. For | | | | pants and shortsin a plastic grocery bag. If and |
| workingparents - the weekend might be best.o | | | | when an accident happens, you'll be ready with |
| The morning you decide to start - right after the | | | | cleantraining pants - and a plastic bag to put the |
| child wakes up, put the training pants on. | | | | soiled clothes in.o Remember: Don't put a diaper |
| * Explain that you want them to use the potty | | | | on the child no matter what you're doing or |
| like a big girl/boy. | | | | where you'regoing. It is really confusing for him |
| * Tell them, when you need to use the potty | | | | her to purposely use the bathroom in their diaper, |
| say, "Mommy, I need to use thepotty." | | | | whenyou're trying to get them not to. People will |
| * You will need to continue telling them this same | | | | understand (in public). Everybody is pottytrained, |
| line over and over again (especiallyafter each | | | | and everyone had an accident before they |
| accident). They most likely will NOT remember | | | | learned. |
| this the first time.o Give them unlimited supply of | | | | You can do it! It's not that hard. It just takes |
| juice, milk, or their favorite beverage. They will | | | | some time, some patience, and some |
| think thatyou are great (but in reality, you just | | | | unconditional love. Imagine how much easier you're |
| want to start the potty training).o Start taking | | | | life will be once your child is 100% potty trained! |
| them to the potty every 15 minutes.o When they | | | | |