The Potty Boot Camp

Below is a link to a blog post I happened to stumble across while surfing the Internet. I love this mother’s attitude!

She has made a couple of points that I love:

1. The second you put a diaper back on your child, they will forget everything they learned.

AND…

2. Toilet training doesn’t last forever - like pregnancy, it feels like an eternity but will be over eventually!

Click this link to read the whole original post: Be Strong and Courageous: Toilet training update

One of the comments after the post is from a reader who suggests letting your toddler put a sticker on the actual toilet seat when they use it. This is a unique twist on the standard sticker chart and might be a little more motivational for kids. What child doesn’t like to destroy property??? I love the idea. Just figure that the eventual $20 for the toilet seat replacement is an investment in your child’s future!

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of “The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers” - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

Much of the article (link below) is common sense, but I really like the tip about letting your child pick the date to begin training. Anything you can do to allow your child to take ownership of the process can only be beneficial in the long run.

Potty Training Tips for Stubborn Children - Associated Content

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of “The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers” - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

This article is originally posted at http://family-parenting.savvy-cafe.com/getting-through-potty-training-accidents-2008-05-08/

If you have been working with your toddler on potty training, the subject of potty training accidents is probably a big one in both of your lives! Having accidents in potty training can be discouraging to both child and parent and may make the stretch from diapers seem wider than it really is. It’s especially difficult as adults attempting to understand the needs of a child who may be struggling to find its first words!

Why They Happen

You may have little memory of being two or three years old. But keep in mind that at this age, a simple trip to the barber may be a completely new experience! You may feel that you have lost progress when a child suddenly has an accident, but occasional potty training accidents are all part of the process. It may have nothing to do with the success of your technique, but may be the child’s reaction to a relatively minor change, like a trip to a relative’s house or a birthday party.

The Do’s And Don’ts

When these accidents happen, there are few things to keep in mind. As with many other challenges in child rearing, a positive attitude is the best weapon against potty training accidents. Try to remove the emphasis from the potty training accident itself and place it on making more progress and remembering successes. Positive feedback that a child can process effectively is a much more important tool than making negative statements. Celebrating another dry night and asking which sticker do they want as a reward is much easier to process than reminding them that they keep on wetting themselves.

Keep Them Involved

There are so many products available now tailored to your needs. But remember your needs come after the child’s! When shopping for products in your quest to deal with potty training accidents, keep your child involved in the decision making process. Do they want pull-ups at night, when potty training can be trickier? Which character do they want? Simply knowing that they’re wearing their favorite character may help them keep potty training front and center in their minds.

Regressing

If potty training accidents suddenly start happening with frequency, look to external factors to try and diagnose the situation. The child may be experiencing a health issue like a urinary tract infection or constipation that they may be unable to verbalize. Keep the lines of communication open by asking your child calmly and non-judgmentally about what’s going on. They may be putting off going to the toilet because they do not know how to deal with an unfamiliar condition.

Another common reason for regression is the arrival of a sibling. Many couples these days choose to space their kids by about two years. Of course, two is primo potty training time, and you may see a surge in potty training accidents upon the arrival of a newcomer who is suddenly absorbing all parental attention. Respond to this situation with understanding. Remain firm about your shared goals for potty training, but take time to discuss what’s going on and give them a chance to talk about their thoughts.

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of “The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers” - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

I just joined a community where people can go to write and read advice about almost anything. It is http://www.minti.com/. (tpbc.minti.com)

Among the articles available, a good one I found is “Potty Precautions” about various ideas on how to deal with inevitable toilet training accidents. The article is here: http://www.minti.com/parenting-advice/686/Potty-Precautions/

Post by Suzanne Riffel, author of “The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers” - a new, fast, easy toilet training method that produces remarkable results.

If you are interested in learning more about ‘The Potty Boot Camp,’ a downloadable excerpt is now available to preview. To visit the sample, please click the following link:

http://booklocker.com/pdf/3161s.pdf

Want to read more? In the full version of the book, the following topics are discussed:

* Eight activities you should do before you ever even start potty training.
* The most important concept your child needs to understand before commencing training.
* The best potty training product on the market that eliminates “power struggles” between you and your child.
* Why having your child wear pull-ups is the worst thing you can do when toilet training.

You’ll also be taught the actual “Boot Camp” technique:

* How your child will completely understand the concept of needing to put their pee and poop into the potty by the end of the first day of training.
* Learn techniques to keep your child entertained on the potty.
* Learn how to make the progression from “potty training” to “potty trained” and how to not get discouraged during the process.
* How to handle the stubborn child.
* Steps to take if your training doesn’t go as planned.
* Helpful techniques and products that will keep your child’s motivation high throughout the training process.

Bonus Topics Include:

* The Potty “Poop” Camp - a method to use when your child is fully potty trained except for #2.
* How to handle regression in a formerly “trained” child.
* The true meaning of “potty trained” and what are realistic expectations for you to have of your toddler.
* Why you should consider potty training before the age of two.

‘The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers’ is a short, no-nonsense, to-the-point and straightforward method of toilet training. The eBook download is available from Booklocker.com: www.booklocker.com/books/3161.htm

Using a kitchen timer as a potty training tool is something I have always found to be an invaluable tool - The Potty Boot Camp uses a time as an integral part of the training process. This article on http://parenthacks.com/ also discusses the benefits. Click the link to read more:

http://www.parenthacks.com/2008/01/use-a-kitchen-t.html

Some of these tips are some that I have discussed and recommended before, but it’s nice that this author, Crystal Sky, has them all summarized in one article.

read more digg story

Question: “My child is going on three years old in April. She was doing so well with potty training then stopped.She does not want any thing to do with going on the potty. I have tried every thing to help her. She does not seem to mind the potty. She loves to play in the bath room with the potty and sink. but ,when it comes down to going she completely refuses.”

Answer: Since she was doing well, it sounds like she is in a power struggle with you. The key is to find some “currency” that will motivate her to make the decision on her own rather than feeling like it is her parents “making” her do something. (Toddlers are sure know for being stubborn!)The first thing you can try is a “present bag.” Get a bunch of small gifts and stick them in a box or bag and place where she can’t see inside. Tell her that if she is a big girl and uses the potty, she gets a present from the bag. It’s up to her…..most children can’t refuse the temptation of a gift - especially if it is new and different each time. Then stand back and see what happens! Believe it or not, it’s also easy to wean the kids off of the gifts once they are using the potty reliably. (No kidding )Hope that helps!

Suzanne Riffel, author of “The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers”

A few potty training programs are most commonly cited in the literature. Below I have summarized some of the most popular techniques:

“The Train in a Day” Method

The “Train in a Day” Method was first made popular back in the 1970s by the authors Azrin/Foxx in a book entitled “Toilet Training in Less Than a Day.” More recently, Dr. Phil and Narmin Parpia have endorsed this training method. The basic premise of this technique is to go “cold-turkey” with diapers. One morning you announce to your child that they will no longer wear diapers. The next four to eight hours are spent teaching the child how to properly use the toilet. During those four to eight hours, your child is learns how to use the toilet by playing with and teaching a doll how to properly use the potty.

The toddler is given positive reinforcement when successful and negative enforcement when there is an accident. The negative reinforcement is dispensed through “toileting drills.” Positive reinforcement consists of rewards, a “potty party” and/or a “super hero” phone call.

“The Timer Method” of Toilet Training

The timer method is a technique considered by many parents to be less stressful for both parent and child than the “train in a day” methods. The timer method also involves keeping the child out of diapers entirely during training. A timer is set for pre-determined intervals. When the timer goes off the child is brought to the toilet for a potty session. If the child is successful, a reward is given. (Sticker, etc.) There is no negative reinforcement for accidents. The length between timer bells is gradually increased as potty skills become more reliable.

Although this method is fairly quick, it is slower than the “train in a day” methods and difficult if you have a particularly stubborn child. Keeping motivational levels high for an extended period of time – enough time for the child to “catch on” – can be challenging.

“The Naked and $75″ Method

The Naked and $75 method is the training technique endorsed by Dr. John Rosemond. Dr. Rosemond believes that toilet training should be simple and no-nonsense. The child is empowered to basically train themselves.

Training begins with an explanation of how and what is expected of the child. Parents show by example and explanation, and then tell their children, “Now it’s your turn. Mommy and Daddy expect you to use the potty from now on.” The child is left naked for three to seven days while they learn how to use the toilet. The premise behind having the child be naked is to help to teach awareness of bodily function. (It is much easier for a child to realize they are pooping and peeing when it is running down their leg rather than having it land in an absorbent diaper.) The parent or caregiver is there to provide assistance if needed, but remains hands-off during the training process.

The $75 is for the inevitable carpet cleaning bill!

“Child-Centered” Toilet Training

Child centered potty training puts the child in charge of when and how to train. It is typically done with older kids (Two and a half or older) who have decided on their own that it is time to get rid of diapers. This is one of the most common trends in potty training children today. Children who have reached this decision on their own are typically very easy to train, however the disadvantage is that for many children the “habit” of using diapers has become so ingrained that convincing them otherwise is very difficult. Late potty training can become an issue with a child’s admittance into preschool or being allowed to participate in various activities. Coincidentally, “Child-centered” potty training was first introduced around the same time as the invention of disposable diapers. Prior to that time, diaper wearing meant diaper washing! Parents had much more incentive to toilet train early rather than leaving timing up to the toddler.

“Potty Training Boot Camp”

Potty Training Boot Camp is a relatively new method that combines a few of the above mentioned techniques. Potty training takes place in phases: Preparatory work, “boot camp”, reinforcement and maintenance. Preparatory work involves determining if the child is ready to train and working on toileting familiarity. The “boot camp” day is a modified “train in a day method.” The reinforcement phase combines the “Naked and $75″ method and the “timer method.” Maintenance is handled like any other training program - frequent reminders and positive reinforcement. This method is often successful because if the child isn’t “getting it” with one technique, they will likely catch on as they move to the next phase.

———-Suzanne Riffel is the author of “The Potty Boot Camp: Basic Training for Toddlers.” Her potty training method has been successful for hundreds of parents. The Potty Boot Camp can be found at http://www.thepottybootcamp.com and at the online bookstore Booklocker.com: http://www.booklocker.com/books/3161.html