There seems to be a widespread impression, passed down from generation to generation, that potty training young children is hard work.

Follow this handy plan and you’ll be able to go from all those diapers to dry in days. But only if you are prepared not to be distracted by other distractions during this time, and if you can focus on potty training.

1. Assessment of your child’s readiness

Does your toddler have the necessary verbal comprehension? This includes being able to understand and carry out simple instructions.

Does your toddler show signs of wanting to do more for himself, like pull up his pants?

Is your child’s bladder and bowel control adequately developed? For example, can he or she go two or three hours before a wet diaper?

You really shouldn’t proceed to #2 until you’re sure your toddler can be potty trained.

2. Let’s go shopping

You want this trip to the stores to be as much fun as possible for your toddler. So what’s on that shopping list?

You should get:

• An anatomically correct doll (a boy doll if you have a son, a girl doll if you have a daughter);
• Potties (yes, it’s better to have two or three in the house so there’s always one handy when needed);
• Briefs, preferably in vibrant colors. It’s even better if there is a picture of one of his favorite cartoon characters on them. Diapers or training pants can be a practical solution for any trip, but be sure to treat them like actual pants, not diapers;
• a wall chart and stickers.

Remember to let your toddler have a say in the purchasing choice.

3. Potty train the doll

As silly as it sounds, you teach the doll to go to the bathroom. The doll is a great teaching tool, it should not be seen as a toy. You will use the doll to model correct behavior.

4. Celebrate the doll’s success

Each time the doll uses the potty correctly, she is praised and a sticker is placed on the wall chart that records the doll’s progress. And when the doll has learned to go to the bathroom, a party is organized.
You want your toddler to realize that potty training is a happy and fun experience.

5. Goodbye to diapers

Put your little boy in pants. There is no going back to diapers even if there are two or three accidents along the way.

6. Give your toddler plenty of fluids.

The more your child drinks, the more he needs to urinate. Therefore, they must have a lot of practice in using a potty.

7. Ask your toddler if he needs to go to the bathroom.

If they say no, that’s okay. With all those drinks they will soon have to leave. Check them again a little later.

If you have a small accident, you should not let your child see that you are angry or disappointed. Just tell them they’ll do better next time. Take him to the potty and have him sit on it for two to three minutes. Give them clean pants to put on. At short intervals, lead them back to the potty a total of ten times. This will help develop muscle memory. Very soon they will pee in the potty.

A bit of food for thought. It’s not just what you say, it’s how you say it. This is certainly true when it comes to teaching a young child new skills.