Does potty training a child successfully, and quickly, not happen accidentally (no pun :>)? Rather, parents who want to potty train a child in days should arm themselves with a proven system and a well-thought-out plan of action, one that builds their self-confidence and allows them to play to their strengths and avoid the pitfalls. more common and expensive.

But if you’re like many parents, you’re convinced that potty training your strong-willed child is likely to become a contest of wills. Or maybe you’re already frustrated after one or more failed attempts to potty train your child. If so, you are not alone.

I have potty trained numerous boys and girls safely and effectively over the past three decades. Some were stubborn and resistant; others were open-minded and obedient. Some were advanced in development; others were late. Some spoke of a blue streak; while others only understood simple commands. So, I can confidently tell you that successful potty training has more to do with parental attitudes, behavior, consistency, and follow through than it does with their child’s personality.

In other words, the vast majority of young children can be fully and joyfully potty trained in days, not weeks, if their parents expand their knowledge by learning valuable information from experts (not their friends and family) and they face their own misconceptions.

Obviously, I am personally committed to my own BRIEFS(TM) potty training system for many, many reasons, although I recognize that you may choose another method of potty training your child. However, regardless of your approach, you will get much better results if you remember and use the tips I give you in the following 5 tips.

1. Your child wants to be potty trained. Study after study confirms that young children have a deep and urgent desire to grow up, become more independent, and master new skills. So even if your child is strong-willed or resilient, he or she wants to achieve this milestone.

2. Potty training should never become a battle of wills.. Parents who push too hard, punish, or get angry with their young children severely stall the process. Worse yet, they risk jeopardizing their parent-child relationship. Period.

3. Consistency is king. In my opinion, one of the biggest mistakes in potty training is a lack of consistency. Let me explain. Potty training is a learned skill, but until you start the process, your child only knows to pee or poop in the diaper. That’s what you’re expected to do, yes?

But now, you’re changing the rules, and if you want them to catch on, you’ll need to keep confusion to a minimum. So be prepared (and make sure others who are in frequent contact with your child do the same) to repeat the exact same advice, using the exact same words, often and regularly.

Also, avoid sending mixed messages.For example, if you expect your son or daughter to use the potty, don’t allow them to wear diapers or pull-ups (pull-ups are the biggest potty training inhibitor of all time!). If you do, you will have no one to blame but yourself, because by doing so, you are giving your child unspoken permission to pee or poop in your pants. And trust me, I’ve heard every excuse in the book for doing it, but the only legitimate reasons to do it are in an emergency during the early stages; overnight diapers initially (and only for a very short time); and/or if your child care provider has specific rules. However, the last two situations can be eliminated entirely by waiting to potty train your child until she wakes up with more dry than wet diapers and/or by scheduling their potty training for long weekends or when they have a break from school. kindergarten.

4. According to the American Academy of Pediatrics, your child should be ready to be potty trained between 18 and 27 months. At this age, their sphincter muscles (needed for elimination) are fully developed, so they are physically ready to go. However, pediatricians also agree that developmental signs are a better predictor of potty training readiness than chronological age. (If you would like more details on this topic, please read my article titled “Top 5 Ways to Determine If Your Child Is Ready to Potty Learn” at the website address in the resource box at the end of this article) .

5. A solid potty training plan isn’t enough. You won’t get anywhere if you don’t act consistently (that c-word again!) and follow the plan to the letter. I cannot stress this enough! A solid plan with poor execution is no better than a lousy plan with great execution: it still won’t end anywhere.

So, if you’ve reached out to experts for help, listen and learn, and then follow your plan carefully. It makes sense doesn’t it? But in my personal experience, you’d be surprised at how many very well-meaning parents have spent a lot of time and energy researching the best potty training methods; One thing; purchased the recommended supplies and/or equipment; set aside time (and even take advantage of vacation days); they enthusiastically began their son’s training; and then several hours later the process lost focus and ignored key principles.

Then, when they don’t get the desired results, they continue down this unproductive path until they either give up or, in the case of my clients, I get a desperate call or email with a cry for help. However, nine times out of 10, her less-than-stellar results are due to mom or dad’s distraction and/or her inability or unwillingness to follow directions to the letter.

Once they realize this, most correct their mistakes and try again, with vastly different results the second time.

I hope you found my advice helpful and that you learn as much as you can before you embark on your journey to potty train your child. Remember, potty training a child should be a memorable and joyous rite of passage, one that strengthens the bond between parents and young children.