Toilet Training
Prior to becoming a parent, I had heard numerous tales of toilet training success and disasters and endless lists of do’s and don'ts - don’t commence toilet training in winter/do toilet train in summer; do start the training process before the child turns 2 (which clearly contradicts modern literature on the subject), do persevere, don’t expect it to be easy and boys are harder to toilet train than girls. Ghania Dib Undoubtedly, it all seemed a little overwhelming and with my mother no longer around to offer me her wisdom of her experience (I lost her when my first born was 8 months old), I dreaded the inevitable task that is toilet training. In my quest for guidance, I turned to reading books and articles on the subject. Nearly every book and article I read warned against commencing toilet training before a child turned two on the basis that the child would not be physiologically ready until after his/her second birthday. I am now inclined to disagree. And this inclination is based purely on my own experience and the success I have had with toilet training all three of my children before their second birthday. My eldest, Isaac, prompted the toilet training process in the midst of winter when he was only 14 months old. My second child arrived shortly thereafter and I became distracted with settling into a new routine with a new born and toddler. As such, I did not fully remove Isaac’s nappy until he was 18 months old and I was quite fortunate that he was fully toilet trained (day and night) in 3 days. It was a very messy three days but in the end it was worth it. As baby number two became a toddler, I felt more confident about the toilet training process. However, my first attempt, when she was 18 months, failed – she showed no interest in using a potty. After a disastrous couple of days, the nappy went back on and I was admittedly relieved to hang up my cleaning gloves and mop. My second attempt, when she was about 21 months old, proved more fruitful. Miraculously, Mariam was toilet trained in only one day (I am in no way suggesting that this is normal or even to be aspired – it’s just the way it worked out with her). Similarly, I commenced the toilet training process with my third child, Maya, when she was 20 months old. Based on her sister’s and brother’s track records, I was armed with the expectation that Maya would be toilet trained within 3 days. It was, however, a long and hard two weeks before she finally went through the day without a single accident. Finally, my household was a nappy free zone. Below are my top 10 toilet training tips based on my own experience:
Do you agree with the common view that you shouldn’t start the toilet training process until your child is 2 years old or have you had success in toilet training your child(ren) before 2? Do you have any additional tips you can share with other parents who may be facing toilet training for the very first time? I’d love to hear your story. ___________________________________ Ghania Dib is a mother to 3 children – Isaac, Mariam and Maya. She combines being a stay at home mother with working as a blogger, lawyer and journalist from her home office. She loves being a mother and sees it as an opportunity to explore her own inner child. There’s nothing she enjoys more than spending her free time playing, dancing and singing with her children and their dog Milo. 13 CommentsFeedAdd Comment |
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Toilet training is one of those less wonderful parts of parenting that must be attended to. No one I know has enjoyed toilet training their toddler, yet the feelings of relief and accomplishment when our little ones finally “get it” are definitely worth the effort.
Monday, 28 September 2009
Wednesday, 30 September 2009
Susan,
stay at home mother of 2
children now 9 and 11.
Sunday, 04 October 2009
All i can say is stick with it MUMS out there it gets easier
Thursday, 15 October 2009
I think articles advising that the right age to toilet train is between 2-3yrs only makes more nappies in landfils and more nappy rash cream on little ones. I started my daughter on the potty from 8 weeks old & whilst it's been extra work, I feel the environment and her skin is all the better for it.
Thursday, 22 October 2009
Thank you
Wednesday, 09 February 2011
Monday, 18 April 2011
Saturday, 18 June 2011
?
Friday, 19 August 2011
Wednesday, 04 January 2012
My 2 year old son, I introduced the potty at 18 months as well, but he wasnt ready. I left it a few more months. In the meantime I would remind him by telling him that we do "wees and poos in the toilet" and bought him a little toilet book that has a little button which imitates the sound of the toilet flushing. Now that he is 2, I tried again a few days ago. I removed his nappy and let him go botomless. I could see he needed to "wee" when he held his penis. I sat him on the toilet and he would go. The first day he never missed. He went to the toilet every time.
The key is to be consistent. Once you make the decision to train, then you have to keep going.
Saturday, 21 January 2012
My son did well with the three days and I often caught him once a drip appeared in his undies. He would then do it all on the potty or toilet.he held longer as the three days went on and wore no nappy at all. Infant we have just finished two full nappy free weeks.
My issue is that he still will not tell me he needs to go. On two occasions he has said 'me wee' but other than that, if I am going out, I take him and he will go. Before bed night and day, I take him and he will go. If I see signs when I'm out that he needs to I will take him and he will go. If I completely wait while at home, in normal undies to tell me... Even if I can see all the signs, and say, 'tell mummy if you need to go' he will say yes that he will... But he won't tell me and he will invariably just wee.
Saturday, 21 January 2012
I'm torn whether to just keep managing his toilet needs myself until he catches on and it clicks, whether to just keep watching him as best I can and then let accidents happen till he registers the sensation enough to tell me before hand. He is dry 2 nights out of 3 and if he wets it is usually 5 or so in the morning. He will call out and I take him thru the night if he needs. I honestly believe he is ready. He has had day sleeps of 1 1/2- 3 hrs for the last two weeks and doesn't wet the bed. He has had two childcare days and gone on the toilet there 4 times each day. (they tell him to tell them and just check with him regularly and take him at intervals basically).
I make a point when I notice he has done a drop, going to him and saying you need to go to the toilet. What do you say? First he sometimes quickly says no, but en proceeds to say toilet mummy, and I wait for this before we run there together... Then he attempts to get his pants down and then does his wee there.
Friday, 27 January 2012