First, when potty training, it can be exhausting and frustrating. Now, this can be hard if your child is “late” in the game. And, feeling pressure from their school can be a challenge too. To note, some children may even be as old as six years old and are beginning school. Oftentimes, parents may notice sensory issues with the toilet and potty training. For instance, a child may be scared due to the loud noise the flush makes or be sensitive to a cold toilet seat. So, here are some tips and resources that you may find helpful when potty training your toddler. As the owner of Wisdom Within Counseling in Niantic, Connecticut, I hope you enjoy these potty training tips and toddler therapy questions.
Tip #1 In potty training tips and toddler therapy. Pick out a child potty
When you give your child the freedom to pick out a Pooh Bear toilet seat or Thomas the Train toilet, it can help them get excited about potty training. A smaller toilet that is at their level can help if they feel afraid to fall in the adult toilet. I knew one kiddo that used to only be able to poop in a bathtub filled with warm water because he was so worried that he would fall in the adult and child toilets that he would make himself constipated!
Secondly, in potty training tips and toddler therapy, know that: Accidents will happen
Avoid punishing your child for having an accident. Keep potty training a fun and playful process. So, use hand stamp or stick rewards on a chart by the child potty for successes. And, even if you child is potty trained throughout the day, let them wear pull-ups at night just incase. Know that if you change jobs and move to another town, your child may naturally regress. If you get divorced and your child now begins changing homes mid-week, you may need to re-train them with their potty. In general, potty training is not only a physical action, but very much emotional too! Lastly, call/text 860-451-9364 for potty training tips and toddler therapy in Niantic, Connecticut.
Tip #3: In potty training tips and toddler therapy, make sure to: Read parenting books
A great book that many parents find helpful is, “Oh Crap! Potty Training: Everything Modern Parents Need to Know to Do It Once and Do It Right.” Some parents who are training their children to use the potty enjoy reading about tips, techniques, and feel validated by other parent’s stories and trials. Remember though, there is no single window of time for potty training to happen or not happen. Don’t worry if your child is potty training “late.” It will all work out!
On that note, read books with your child about poop and potty training
Get books at home and read them together to familiarize your child with the process of potty training.
“Everyone Poops,” by Taro Gomi is a fun book that teaches children that everyone poops. This book can help children understand the purpose of pooping and that it is a healthy thing to do daily.
“What Is Poo?” by Katie Daynes is a picture book that teaches children about where poop goes. This book is interactive and has flaps children can turn.
“The Perfect Potty Zoo” is a book friendly to potty training.
Elmo has a series of books that make potty training fun: “Sesame Street: Let’s Go Potty, Elmo!” “Potty Time with Elmo,” and “P is for Potty.”
Plan play dates with your child for them to spend time around an older child who uses the toilet already!
For you as a parent, join a supportive parenting group on Facebook
Join the “Oh Crap, Potty Training,” group on facebook, here.
Buy a doll that pees
Purchasing a doll that pees can be a great way to help your child with potty training. A doll helps them understand their own body’s processes. Your child can practice helping the doll pee into their child toilet. Then, they can try peeing and using their potty themselves.
For holistic, natural potty training tips and toddler therapy, call/text 860-451-9364.
Help with aiming
For boys, aiming can be challenging. Pee may get all over your toilet, the floor, and the lid. Try putting cheerios or a single piece of cereal in the water bowl to give your little guy an aiming target. Let him know that if he misses, it is okay. When he does pee on the cheerio and in the toilet water, give lots of positive praise and hugs.
For those of you looking for parenting support, in-person potty training techniques, and help for your fearful child who is not yet potty trained, I would love to be a resource to you!
Call/text for your free 15 minute phone consultation 860-451-9364. Read more in book your session online and WisdomWithinCt.com!
Written By
This article was written by Katie Ziskind, Licensed Marriage Family Therapist, 500-hour Registered Yoga Therapist, is the owner and clinical director at Wisdom Within Counseling in Niantic, Connecticut. Finding a family therapist in Niantic has been very difficult until now. Katie also offers teletherapy and distance counseling. Katie Ziskind LMFT, RYT500 combines her highly effective specialties of art, yoga, music, and animal therapy alongside talk counseling. She is an expert with children, adolescents, teenagers, and the young adults. She offers therapy for teens in Niantic. Parenting sessions and couples therapy for parents challenged by their children, are also part of her practice. She is affirming and open to the LGBT community. She specializes in yoga therapy for athletic individuals who have a sports injury and have been through trauma. Contact her today by texting or calling 860-451-9364.
