- my iParenting
- quick clicks
- babies today articles
- babies today q&a
- toddlers today articles
- toddlers today q&a
- breastfeed.com articles
- breastfeed.com q&a
- message boards
- research baby names
- prepare a birth plan
- content channels
- ip channel rss feeds
- read birth stories
- read parenting stories
- recommended books
- e-newsletters
- safety recalls
- ip diaries
- ip store
- mom of the month
- dad of the month
- editor's letter
- letters to the editor
 |
- e-newsletters
- Sign up to receive our free weekly e-newsletters
- award-winning products
The iParenting Media Awards program helps parents find the best products for their families.
Making Potty Training Fun
Activities to Get Kids Interested in Potty Training
By Kelly Burgess
Watson had been setting the stage by reading Amanda books about potty training, so she figured she'd take her chances and bought the frilly, pink underwear. It paid off. Except for a few accidents, Amanda was completely trained from the moment she started wearing her pretty new undies.
So, it was natural for Watson to take the same tack with her son. When he'd shown no sign of interest by 30 months, she bought him character underwear. And that's when she discovered that no two children train alike.
"I don't remember what was on the underwear, but I do remember that he could pee in those as well as a diaper – and he did!" Watson says. "It was clear that he needed a little more incentive."
Watson decided to try something different. Originally, she had just brought out the toilet adapter and stool that her daughter had used. So she took her son to the store and showed him all the fabulous potty chairs – characters seats, seats that sing, seats that changed color when used successfully – and let her son pick out his own. He loved it and, although he had to often sit for a while before he was successful, the new potty did the trick.
Judi Cohen, a mom and potty training expert who has developed potty training aids, says having a child pick their own potty seat is a good idea to give children ownership of the situation. Also, she suggests readying kids for potty training through videotapes, books and role-playing with dolls or stuffed animals and their "potties." These toys are available commercially or you can make your own with a little imagination.
