You’re ready to start potty training the toddler. What’s a good way to go about it? This might not be the prettiest way to put it – but, hey, potty training isn’t pretty: A good route is to just jump right in. Ditch the diapers, don’t mess with Pull-Ups and go straight to the underwear.
There will be messes – and a lot of them at first – but it will help teach him or her to recognize the urge to go, and of course build the desire to avoid getting wet and dirty. No one is comfortable in that situation. The diapers and Pull-Ups of today are so absorbent that kids may not even realize they are dirty, and they are already comfortable going to the bathroom in them, which won’t help them recognize the need to use the toilet.
Of course, you’ll have to be patient using this method, getting mad isn’t going to move things along any faster, and quick with the clothes changes. At the beginning you may want to stick to the house or other comfortable environments while the new skills are sinking in so that accidents don’t happen at a time or place where they can’t be handled easily.
Then look for the signs that the child has to go and constantly urge sitting on the toilet and trying. In the end, you’ll do a lot more laundry and be quick with the mop for a while, but don’t be surprised if the youngster gets the hang of it pretty fast.