You’ve done a lot of the hard work and potty training is now
going well. To get things running
smoothly you’ve been staying home and it’s been working. You’ve got a good system happening between
the two of you and there have been relatively few accidents in recent
days. You’re even starting to feel like
this potty training thing is no big deal.
You wonder whether maybe it’s time to head out, to move
beyond the safety of home. However, you
know that potty training at home is very different to potty training in the big
wide world but you aren’t sure how different and what to do to prepare yourself
and educate your child on what to expect.
Just because it’s new and perhaps a bit intimidating, you
can’t stay home forever. No really, you
can’t! Of course, it’s tempting to put
them in pull ups so you won’t have to worry about any potential accidents. The only problem is that it isn’t really
sending your child the right message about the path ahead.
You know that your child can go for at least an hour in
between potty visits so if you time it right you might be able to get there and
back within the hour. Well, maybe. But bladders, especially children’s bladders,
aren’t always like that. You know what
it’s like when you get excited or nervous, you need to go to the bathroom more. Your child is like that too, only they can’t
hold on like you can. So you may well
find that your child needs to go more when they are out, not less.
So what can you do?
1. Explain
to your child what will happen when you are out, how it will likely be
different from home and any concerns you may have.
2. Get them
to go, or at least try to go potty before you leave.
3. Find out
where the toilets are as soon as you get wherever you are going and go straight
away. It’s much easier doing this calmly
before they really need it than in the rush of a sudden urge.
4. If you’re
out in public, as you move around always be on the lookout for those tell-tale
bathroom signs so you know exactly which direction you should head if you need
to.
5. If you
don’t have a portable potty with you, try getting your child to sit backwards
on a regular toilet – some children find this easier because they have the wall
or toilet cistern to hold onto and don’t feel like they are going to fall off
the seat on to the floor.
6. Take some
spare clothing, a couple of plastic bags, and some baby wipes and paper towels with
you in case of accidents.
7. If they
have an accident in a shop or restaurant – let the staff know and race to the
bathroom with your child. Sure it is
embarrassing but you won’t be the first.
All you can really do is apologize – quickly – and leave a big tip.
8. If your
child has an accident at a friend’s house then it’s your responsibility to
clean it up. It’s
best to take your own paper towels so you can quickly spring
into action without having to ask for everything and make it a big deal.
9. Don’t
forget to take your sense of humor – accidents or not, you’re going to need
it. There may be several false alarms
with your child wanting to find out what happens when they say the magic
trigger word. If you feel this is happening,
try not to get upset with them. Instead
try praising them for telling you and being so responsible about their potty
training, even though you know it’s not easy.
Good luck!
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