Q. Hi! I want to ask for tips on how I can train my daugther to use the bowl instead of a diaper when making pupu? I hope you can help me.
 
Thank you,

Andrea Joy Ramirez Cabarrubias

Suzi says

Hello there Mommy Joy! 

Wow toilet training sure is one of the many interesting times in a child’s (and a parent’s) life!  You didn’t mention the age of your daughter though. Toilet training may start as soon as a child is capable of communicating her need to pee or poo. So this may be at the age of 18 to 24 months; although it isn’t unusual to see children still wearing diapers at around 3 years old. This is really a matter wherein both the child and the parent should be ready to devote around three months (or less!) for the training process. And hopefully, the first attempt will be a success!

With our first daughter, I think we started a little over 2 years old.  In the beginning, we bought a kiddie toilet seat that we could put on top of the actual toilet. This concept is obviously an easier option when it comes to clean up time. However, Leona didn’t take to it because her feet were hanging instead of being able to touch the ground. I guess this made her feel like she was unstable; so she didn’t like to sit long on the seat.  We eventually bought her a potty. We placed it in the living area near her books and the TV.  I would read to her or we would watch TV together to distract her and keep her sitting on the toilet. To encourage her, my husband and I made a poster for her and would give her one sticker to stick on that poster every time she would pee or poo in her potty.  Reward systems like these do help. 

For our second daughter, she didn’t care much for rewards!  We just talked to her, explained the concept of informing us if she needed to use the potty and that was it! She did have accidents also but just a few times.  She was also obviously inspired by her older sister who at this point was an expert with the potty.

So different children calls for different methods. The main idea here is that first, your daughter should be ready to communicate when you start potty training.  Second, you as a parent should be ready to devote your time to this. Third, there should be consistency. Inform everyone in the household that you are potty training and that everyone should be on the same page.  Fourth, don't show disappointment when your daughter has accidents. And be generous with your praises when she goes to the potty! 

Good luck mommy! I wish you and your daughter the best of luck.  Consider this one of your bonding moments as well!  The success of your daughter is also your success. 

Paolo says

Hello Andrea!

I’m not sure how old your child is but I’m assuming she is intellectually and emotionally ready to be toilet- trained. This will vary from one child to another but once your child is able to actually say that they want to make pupu, it’s a good sign. When you are able to see a consistent facial expression or habit like hiding in a corner when they are about to have a bowel movement, it’s usually a good time to start sitting them on a potty or the arinola. Don't make a big fuss as it can traumatize your child. When children are able to express what they want and don’t want, you are well on your way to starting the toilet training.

The most effective method for us was to establish a "reward system" as an incentive to use the toilet. Something simple like a small sticker or a stamp or even a chart where you mark successful attempts at going to the toilet is a great way to get them interested to give it a try. As I mentioned earlier, at the first sign that thay are about to have a bowel movement, sit them on the potty and remind them of the reward that’s waiting for them if they go. Consistency is the key also. Keep the potty in the same place and stick to a wash-up routine that is always the same. Some kids are startled by the sound of a flushing toilet, thus avoiding the use of the toilet because of that.

To add to her confidence in the use of the potty, reading fun stories about learning to use the toilet is also a good way to help your child. There are quite a few fun books that you can buy. Also, using a doll or stuffed toy to demonstrate going to the toilet is another fun way that our kids seemed to enjoy.

With a bit of patience and consistency, you’ll have your daughter toilet trained in no time. Good Luck!