Mommy! I Have to Go Potty!

Contents

Foreword

Introduction

1. Is It Time Yet?

Physical Readiness

Social Readiness

Intellectual Readiness

Emotional Readiness

The Temperament Factor

Potty Training Averages

2. The Parent’s Role in Potty Training

Parenting Styles

Combining Different Parenting Styles to Solve Problems

Tactics for Successful Training

3. Places to Start

Laying the Groundwork

Before Starting Actual Training

Getting Started

Toileting Accidents

More Tips for Toileting Success

Travelling with New Trainees

Getting Started Checklist

4. To Reward or Not to Reward

Social Rewards

Continue Positive Patterns

Reinforce the Positive, Not the Negative

Communicate Clearly

Imaginative Rewards

Tangible Rewards

When Rewards Don’t Work

5. When Your Plan Doesn’t Succeed

Physical Reasons for Longer—or Later—Training

Missing Body Messages

Dangerous Shortcuts

A Temporary Return to Diapers

Regression and Family Stress

Can I Have a Diaper, Please?

Fears

6. Unplugging Power Struggles

Inappropriate Pressure From Parents

Responding to Power Struggles

Steps to End a Potty Training Power Struggle

Provide a Diaper for Poops

Why Parents May Get Into Power Struggles

Personality Types Prone to Power Struggles

Setting a Limit

7. Working with Child Care Providers

Preschools that Require a Child be Trained by Age Three

Pointers for Training While in Child Care

When Viewpoints Differ

Uses the Potty at Preschool, But Not at Home

8. Children with Special Needs

Will My Child Become Able to Manage Independently? When?

What are Your Child’s Specific Issues?

Medications Your Child May Take

Emotional Challenges for Families with Special Needs

Your Individual Plan

Shortcuts Can Undermine Health

When Should I Start Training My Special-Needs Child?

Helpful Aids and Equipment

Importance of Supportive School or Center Staff

Taking One Step at a Time

9. Night Training and Bedwetting

Helpful Steps for Nighttime Training

Consider Diet

Star Charts

Stress

At Five Years

Parental Reactions

At Six Years

Consult Your Physician

Maintain a Positive Attitude

At Seven Years

Wetting Alarms

Medications

At Eight Years

10. Constipation and Bowel Retention

Definitions

Causes and Prevention of Bowel Problems

Home Treatment for Mild Constipation

Respond Gently to Soiling Accidents

When to Get Medical Help

Clearing the Bowel

Consistent Daily Practice Sessions

Checklist for Dealing with Bowel Issues

If You Have Trouble Finding Help

11. Early Training

Is It Possible?

How Does It Work?

Potty Training in American History

Normal Elimination Patterns

Common Urinating Signals

Parent Cues and Baby Positions

Parent Intuition

Parent Attitudes and Emotions

The Process

Managing Misses

Nighttime Training

Returning to Work

Travel

The End Point

Is Early Training for You?

Parent Time and Attention

The Future

More Information

Resources

Index