Toddler Troubleshooter

Toilet Training Adventures: How Do I Get Them Interested?

• Jenefer • Season 1 • Episode 1

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Are you confronted with a toddler who shows zero interest in toilet training? You've stumbled upon the right place. In this heartening episode of Toddler Troubleshooter, we navigate the often daunting journey of toilet training and arm you with the right tools and tips to make this a delightful adventure. Using real-life examples and tried-and-tested strategies, we dissect why your little one might not yet be showing interest and how you can spark this curiosity with ease.

Discovering the joy in toilet training begins with building awareness. We share insights on how simple routine adjustments and personalized strategies can create a positive bathroom association for your child. Consider the journey of a mom who turned her three-year-old's disinterest into a successful toilet training experience by focusing on awareness-building. You’ll gain a fresh perspective on common readiness signs and why they might not always be reliable. If you've been waiting for your child to show natural interest or are eager to start but unsure where to begin, this episode is a must-listen. Brace yourself for a stress-free toilet training journey that's enjoyable for both you and your little one.

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Jenefer Neale
Host
00:07
Welcome to the Toddler Troubleshooter. Hello Sage Sprout's parents, I'm your host, jennifer. As a parent of a toddler, and with over 20 years of experience working with young children, I'm excited to share my tools for troubleshooting your toddler. In each brief podcast, we'll explore the different challenges that arise in toddlerhood and I'll provide you detailed troubleshooting strategies Drawing from my extensive background. You'll not only gain practical tools, but you'll also discover how to make this journey enjoyable for both you and your little one. Toddlers are an adventure. From toilet training to transitions, our little ones love to take charge. I will arm you with the Sage Sprout strategy to troubleshoot and modify your approach as challenges arise. So if you're ready to troubleshoot your toddler and transform toddlerhood into a positive and manageable experience, let's get started. 


01:03
Welcome to toilet training adventures. In each episode, we'll tackle common questions. During the toilet training journey, I'll provide insights into why certain things happen and offer troubleshooting tips. Our debut episode focuses on a fundamental question how do I get them interested? This is for parents ready to start but facing a little one who isn't quite aware, or for those curious about the first steps. If you find yourself in the situation, let me guide you on how modeling desired behaviors creates a positive bathroom association and how routine changes and celebrating small steps plays a crucial role. Let's explore the common signs of readiness and understand why they may not always be reliable indicators. You may have heard some of these common signs keeping their diaper dry for a longer period of time, waking up dry from a nap, pulling at a wet or dirty diaper, hiding to pee or poop, and showing interest in the toilet. While the first two may indicate muscle control, all these other behaviors can be introduced through exposure. Today our focus is on the last one showing interest in the toilet. It may take time to develop, but don't let your child's lack of interest deter you from starting the process. 


02:13
Here is a real life example that underlines the importance of building awareness before diving into toilet training. A while back, a mom contacted me in a bit of a predicament with her three-year-old daughter. Unlike some children who naturally exhibit signs of readiness, this little one seemed disinterested in the whole concept of using the toilet. The mom, however patient, was facing a roadblock as her daughter wasn't even signaling when she needed a diaper change. Mom became worried when she discovered a fantastic preschool for her daughter, but the preschool had a strict toilet training policy. Feeling a bit overwhelmed and unsure where to initiate the process, she decided to reach out to me for guidance. 


02:54
Rather than jumping headfirst into a traditional toilet training method, we focused on the crucial preliminary step increasing the child's awareness around the bathroom environment. Simple routine adjustments were introduced to make the bathroom a more familiar and comfortable space for her daughter. What unfolded over the next week was a transformation. The little one who initially showed no interest or awareness started recognizing cues associated with the bathroom. This newfound awareness became the catalyst for a successful toilet training experience. It's an important example that readiness signs don't always manifest naturally, and a thoughtful approach to increasing awareness can set the stage for a smoother transition. 


03:36
This story is a testament to the power of personalized strategies and the impact of building awareness before embarking on the toilet training adventure. It highlights that, even if your child isn't demonstrating readiness signs, taking the time to enhance their awareness can be the key to a successful and stress-free toilet training journey. Now that we've seen the impact this can have, let's explore how to build this exposure to the toilet. This strategic move can be a game changer in making the bathroom a comfortable and familiar place to your child. So if you find yourself waiting for your child to show a natural interest in toilet training, or are eager to get started but unsure where to begin. This is a great initial step. It sets the stage for a positive association with the bathroom. 


04:21
When it's time to start in earnest, the key is to show your child that using the toilet is a normal part of life. Let's now explore practical strategies to introduce your child to the bathroom environment. I understand as mums, the last thing we want is for a toddler to join us in the bathroom. However, we also know that it's their favorite place to be. Let's capitalize on this and show them what the bathroom is really for. 


04:45
Start by demonstrating how to use the toilet. Talk through each step, making it part of your daily routine. For example, first I pull down my pants and underwear, I sit down, my feet are on my stool, I relax listen, I'm peeing. Now I need to wipe. Can you help me flush? Let's go wash our hands. Talking through these actions will help your toddler focus on what you're doing and begin to learn some bathroom language. Incorporate this into your daily routine instead of rushing them out or letting them play in the cupboards while you use the toilet. You can also do this with toys and dolls during roleplay. My little guy loves taking his monkey to the toilet. Additionally, you can read books or watch videos about people using the toilet. Search for potty training stories and choose one for your child's favorite characters. I'll post a list of links to my favorite books and videos on my website, sage Sprout's ParentPodcom. The goal with having them join you and seeing others use the toilet in books and videos is to help make that vital connection for your child that pee and poop are bathroom activities. This early exposure will prepare both you and your child for the transition to the bathroom A significant step for successful toilet training. 


05:58
Remember, start the habit early. This low-key step is perfect for you and your little one. We understand that toilet training can be effortful and the idea of moving away from the comfort of diapers may seem daunting. But fear not, I have a small task to help you gauge your readiness for that extra effort. Your challenge is to consistently move your diaper change routine to the bathroom. This trial will reveal if adding bathroom trips to your routine is feasible because, let's face it, toilet training involves quite a few trips to the bathroom. Moving all diaper changes to this new location will require a bit of extra effort as you'll transition instead of simply dropping down for a diaper change. For a smoother transition, keep your supplies in the bathroom. This makes it intuitive to go to this room for a change. Spend a little time one day rearranging the bathroom, creating a comfortable station with everything you need. It's also an excellent opportunity to introduce bathroom language early, saying things like pee and poo go in the toilet Even though they're still using diapers. Changing in the bathroom will establish the association that pee and poo are bathroom behaviors. I recommend switching to pull-ups at this stage because they mimic underwear, making standing diaper changes a step closer to the target behavior of pulling down their pants and sitting on the toilet. If you prefer to stick with diapers, that's fine, but just be prepared for a bit more effort on your end. 


07:25
If using the bathroom for diaper changes isn't feasible due to space constraints or inaccessibility, consider creating a potty station in another area. In this designated space, replicate the same actions as you would in the bathroom. The aim is to teach your child that this is where they go when they need a change. Ensure you have a potty there and consistently refer to it as the potty, emphasizing its purpose beyond just a diaper change station. This presents a valuable opportunity to instill the habit of your child pausing their activity, going to a specific place for a change. Encourage them to be an active participant in their toileting. 


08:01
I understand that transitions can come with challenges. If your child is resistant, make the process engaging by incorporating their favorite toys or creating a fun story around the routine. I will have an upcoming episode that addresses this in more detail. This is a good skill to develop using shaping. Instead of attempting to shift to 100% of diaper changes in the bathroom from day one, take a gradual approach. Begin by setting a realistic goal. Aim for one diaper change in the bathroom while keeping the rest as usual. Once you achieve success and it becomes effortless, progressively add one more bathroom change than another, and so on. Gradually, this will become a routine that feels normal for both you and your toddler. Now invest some time exploring this gradual and achievable method for transitioning from a diaper change station to a fully integrated potty routine. 


08:52
Finally, let's address how to handle popes. Do these diaper changes in the bathroom too. Celebrate small successes If possible. Dump the popes in the toilet when they're not too squashed. Have your child wave goodbye, flush and cheer. This is your first chance to reinforce using the toilet. Even if the tiniest piece goes in, it can be visually seen by your child and will help make a connection. 


09:17
If the mess is just too much, do a normal change. Then wipe them with some toilet paper, fold it up tight and have them throw it in the toilet. Make sure to involve your child If it's within your comfort zone. Encourage your little one to help with wiping and throwing out their diaper. Use what we call backwards chaining. Do most of the dirty work first and then let them do the last wipe and toss the paper in the toilet. Have them throw their own diaper out too. This may seem like a little bit more effort, but it's a good test to see if you're ready for the journey of toilet training. 


09:50
And don't forget positive reinforcement. Make sure to celebrate and be super positive about being in this new room, thank them for pausing their play and coming to the bathroom. Positive reinforcement is the key to changing behavior. In wrapping up, let's reflect on the progress you've made and the positive steps you've taken towards successful toilet training. Remember you can show your child what to do and make small changes to determine where you're at and if you're ready to make this change, get that routine set up and observe how it goes. In conclusion, toilet training is a journey. Start early, create positive associations and find the right routine for you and your child. 


10:31
Thank you for tuning in and always remember you've got this Happy toilet training. Thanks for joining us on Toddler Troubleshooter. That's a wrap for today's episode. Thank you so much for tuning in and being part of our parenting community. If you found value in today's discussion, don't forget to hit that subscribe button so you never miss an episode. I'm Jennifer, a parent coach and fellow mom navigating the joys and trials of toddler life along with you. To hear more about my journey and get access to more tips and tricks, follow me on Instagram at Sage Sprouts underscore parent pod, or find us on Facebook at Sage Sprouts parent pod. Look forward to seeing you in the pod. Remember, parenting is a journey we navigate together and your support means the world to us. If you have any topics you'd like us to cover in future episodes, feel free to reach out through social media or through our website, sage Sprouts parent pod dot com. Stay tuned for our next episode. Until then, take care and may your parenting journey be filled with joy and laughter. See you next episode.