6 Common Potty Training Myths You Need To Flush Right Now

 The journey of parenting is unique and personal for each parent, which makes it oh-so-beautiful. But the truth is, parenting is no piece of cake, especially when it is time to potty train your child.

If you are a parent on the verge of a mental breakdown while trying all the tricks in the book to potty train your child, you need to first let go of or “flush out” the following myths regarding potty training to lighten your stress a little.

1. Potty Training Has An Age Limit

Just like speaking or walking, potty training is also a matter which requires time for kids to learn. Don’t pressure your child if another toddler of the same age is walking around in underwear.

Each child is different and naturally has a different pace when it comes to being potty trained.

It’s not a race to get your child potty-trained and there’s no age limit for that, look for readiness in your child instead of forcefully training them as soon as they turn 2.

2. Diapers Will Slow Down The Process

Yes, children get habituated to diapers, but there’s no evidence that they slow down the process of toilet training. Many parents make the mistake of jumping straight to the underwear instead of making a stop at potty training pants or pull-ups.

Pull-ups don’t just make your life less messy, but also makes the child aware of the process they are undergoing.

So, don’t get your child in underwear as the time period of the training depends entirely on the child.

3. A Reward System Will Speed Up The Process

Defecating on a toilet is expected behaviour that doesn’t require a reward system. Doing so results in anxiety among children and fear of letting down their over-enthusiastic parents for not pooping on a toilet.

Your child needs your support and patience, not sweet treats. You can praise or high-five them if they sit on the toilet but play it cool if they accomplish the task or not.

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4. Potty Training Should Be Given During The Day And Night Together

Potty training is difficult for children as it is without adding the pressure of nighttime training when they haven’t successfully completed daytime training yet. Also, nighttime training depends on the child’s hormones and urine production, which neither the child nor the parent has control over.

So, don’t pressurise your kids by combining day and night training, keep the diapers for the night and training pants for the day until they’re ready. Also, never reprimand or make them feel guilty for wetting the bed.

5. Disciplining The Child Into Potty Training Is Effective

This is probably one of the most troublesome potty training tips because disciplining can turn into a power struggle between the parent and the child. Many children try to instill the discipline of potty training in the form of withdrawing privileges or disapproval when the child is hesitant to use the toilet. This leads to anxiety, fear and defiance among children which may further anger the parent and make potty training difficult.

Leave the discipline out of the training and try to let the child decide its process to avoid pressure, anxiety and other issues.

6. Your Job Is Done Once The Child Is Potty Trained

Well, unfortunately even after your child has been successfully potty trained your job isn’t done just yet. Some children may relapse after training due to medical issues, changes in routine or environment like starting school or having diarrhoea. Plus, if they’re heavy sleepers, they may wet the bed for years. So, stay geared for regression and nighttime accidents.

Hopefully, by now you’ve flushed all these myths down the drain and are better equipped to train your toddlers.