Creative Potty Training Ideas
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by: PaulJJames
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Many parents approach potty training with the same enthusiasm they would have for gum surgery; it's a necessary evil to be tolerated. It doesn't have to be all drudgery though if you use a little creativity to make it interesting for everyone.
Should You Get Creative?
Certainly, if you are already in the potty training process and things aren't going especially well, getting creative is better than getting frustrated. You don't have to wait until you're at that point though. Using some creative ideas to introduce the potty training concept to your child can prevent resistance.
Introduce the Idea
If potty training is your child's idea the entire process becomes easier. A few thoughtfully planted comments about big kids using the potty and little kids wearing diapers can spark your child's desire to be one of the big kids and have him asking you to help him learn to use the potty.
All About Creating Ownership
Let your child be part of the potty training planning process. Take him shopping with you and let him choose his own big boy underwear and stickers to use on his potty training success chart if you use one.
Rewarding Success
Some parents are reluctant to give rewards for potty training success because they feel the child is only doing what he's supposed to do anyway. Others have great success with potty training charts where a child places a sticker each time he uses the potty with a small reward being earned for every few stickers. Rewarding children for good behavior reinforces the behavior.
Rewards don't have to be candy or snacks and are better if they aren't. A trip to the park, an extra story at bedtime, special recognition for an accident-free day all work to motivate the child to do well again.
Parents are always on the look-out for tools to help make potty training easier. One of the tools available is the potty training doll.
The Concept
Dolls that wet have been around for ages. The doll "drinks" a bottle of water and then wets into a diaper. The potty training doll is the same concept only it's designed to "wet" when it's held upright over a potty chair or toilet.
The theory is, if the child sees the doll using the potty, she will get the idea and use the potty herself. There isn't any hard and fast research either way on the effectiveness of the dolls in potty training a child.
Worth a Shot?
If the price of the doll is within your budget and you feel your child will respond positively to it, by all means give it a try. If, for some reason, your child doesn't like it or is frightened by it, don't use it again.
Anything that makes potty training easier should be explored and used if your child responds favorably to it.
By spending a little time thinking of creative ways to potty train your child, you make the process more interesting and less of a chore for everyone.
About the Author
http://www.pottytrainingtipsonline.com/ provides articles and information on Potty Training Ideas for new parents. Great free help, links and more.
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