Well, first I would like to start by saying that there is no right way to potty train. I have a two year old son and we are in this process currently so I wanted to share a few tips and tricks that I have found helpful.
1. Go at their pace. We do not remember being potty trained and therefore we misunderstand how hard it is to get the ball rolling. We cannot just say, "Hey son/daughter here's the toilet now use it." I know how much I would love to do so but you have to wait. Before potty training hopefully you have taken them to the restroom with you and other adults and older children so that they can see how the process works. Also it helps if you introduce the words that you will use with them. If your child can bring you a diaper or let you know when they have used the bathroom then they are ready to potty train.
2. Dont add too much pressure. We do not become experts overnight. Any accidents they have are not on purpose. It is part of learning. When there is an accident then calmly tell them where it needs to go. Overly celebrate when they do use the bathroom.
3. Completely ditch the diapers. I do not use diapers and I do not put him on the changing table any more. I am using pull-ups though. Going bare bottom is the best way because you do not have to struggle with pulling clothes down but we had a different situation.
4. Rethinking your strategy. Remember my suggestion at the beginning? (There is no right way) Well it is true. You may have to try something different. Here is our experience: Things were going well accidents on the floor were decreasing but then he did not want to poop. He would hold it until it would just fall out. After maybe three incidents like this he did not want to poop at all. That also meant that he did not want to pee. He would hold it and hold it and hold it. He even stopped drinking so that he would not have to go. So I had to rethink my strategy. I had to get him confident in pooping in the toilet. So one day. I put him on the toilet, then I gave him markers. I let him draw on the back of the toilet seat. He sat there. He stayed there. He was focused on something different and then he had pooped, in the toilet. Now my strategy is to encourage him to poop. When we get the pooping part down then I will go back to having him pee in the toilet. The pooping scarred him a little. So I want to gain his confidence with having to poop.
5. Make it fun. Run to the bathroom, blow bubbles, dance. We run and cheer in the bathroom. Now we draw (I saw a tip about dry erase markers. We are currently using washable markers, they do not come completely off). Just FYI: he stopped wanting to use the potty chair so we just put him on backwards on the toilet. As a boy it is a little easier for him when he needs to change to standing.
6. Don't scold When there is an accident be supportive. We have to build their confidence to tell us when they need to use the bathroom. They are learning. Scolding may hinder their process. Instead have them help clean up the mess, tell and/or show them where it goes, and make a MAJOR DEAL out of using the toilet.
7. Generate a shared language. Whatever words you call it. Make sure that all adults who will assist or who will have your child for a while after you have started potty training knows the terminology that you will use. Later you can add other words but it is helpful in the beginning if there is consistency.
8. Don't think you have to follow my tips. Each child is different and different things will work. Talk to other people or look up other tips and tweak them for your child.
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