Kids Toilet Training Tips: How we Skipped the Potty and Started on the Toilet Bowl

21/1/2019

Kids Toilet Training Tips: How we Skipped the Potty and Started on the Toilet Bowl

I still remember how excited I was when my daughter Maeleth Sarah Goh at 30 months old (2.5 years old) is finally peed in the toilet bowl after so many months of encouragement.

She used to be so afraid of sitting on the toilet bowl and would cry and strongly protest everytime we attempted to carry her to the toilet bowl. But it's true that when she's ready, she'll do it.

Perhaps she grew taller and the hole of the toilet bowl looks smaller now to her than it did previously.
Whatever the case is, be patient and don't worry or compare when other kids are starting. When your child is mentally prepared, he or she will want to try.

The night when I asked Mae "Do you want to sit on the toilet bowl?" and she replied "Yes I want to try", I was so shocked. I was expecting the usual answer: "No!".
It's these moments in the parenting journey that are so fulfilling and amazing to experience firsthand.
My heartbeat was racing excitedly and when I saw her pee for the first time while sitting on the toilet bowl, my heart swelled with happiness!
Only a parent will understand this feeling. It's funny how the things that excite you change when you become a parent!

We skipped the potty (the little kids sized portable toilet bowl) because we feel that if your child gets used to the potty, then you have to retrain him or her to use the actual toilet bowl later on.

Without further ado, here are some kids toilet training tips that we believe helped Mae to eventually become mentally-ready to use the toilet bowl.

1) Let them see you using the toilet bowl

When nature calls, if you can pee with others around, bring your child with you to stand in front of the toilet to watch you pee, using proper modesty. Make conversation with him or her and share how fun it is to use the toilet bowl.

This way, your child may get interested to sit on the toilet bowl too. Kids learn best by watching what you do.

2) Let them watch kids shows which encourage the fun of using the toilet bowl

Mae loves to watch kids shows on Youtube about cartoon characters using the toilet bowl to pee and poop. They usually have catchy songs designed to persuade kids to become receptive to the idea of using the toilet bowl.

3) Get a kids toilet seat cover with designs of their favorite cartoon characters

Do you know your child’s favorite cartoon characters at the moment? Getting a kids toilet seat cover with those cartoon prints on it may help to get your child interested to try using it.

4) Read books to them which encourage the fun of using the toilet bowl

There are many fun and adorable options of such books to choose from! I noticed that the library has them too and we borrowed a few so you can check if your local library carries these type of books.

5) Ask them often whether they want to try sitting on the toilet bowl

There is a saying that you don’t receive because you don’t ask. Ask your child often and one day, the answer will be yes. Be patient as you wait for that day. You don’t have to be worried or fret about it.

Your anxiety may cause your child to be even more adverse to the idea of using the toilet bowl. Wait for that day when your child says yes—I’m telling you, the feeling is awesome!

6) Once they sit on the toilet bowl, reinforce that good behavior with lots of praise, encouragement and little rewards

When you want to reinforce a certain behavior, you can do so with giving lots of praise, encouragement and little rewards. People learn from pain or pleasure. A pleasurable experience can train your child to want to repeat that action again.

Once your child starts using the toilet bowl, give lots of positive reinforcement to ensure that he/she doesn’t revert to peeing and pooping in the diaper again.

Mae received a new Pororo Shopping Cart toy when she made her first three poops in the toilet bowl! Money well-spent because it helped to motivate her and accelerate her progress.

I like to discourage that unwanted behavior by telling my daughter how uncomfortable and gross it is to have pee or poop stuck to my skin in the diaper.

7) When possible, don’t leave an option

Mae was adverse to pooping at the toilet bowl for a long time. The first time it finally happened in November 2019, she was already undressed and about to go for a shower.

She said she had to poop so I said I already threw the diaper away, and that she should just do it at the toilet bowl.

With no choice, she really tried and succeeded! Sometimes when you leave no second option for them to fall back to, it helps to encourage them to be brave and go all the way.

8) Give your child an item to hold to focus on, such as a book

When Mae first pooped at the toilet bowl, I remember I had given her a book to read. Now she requests for a book every time she goes to poop.

However the good thing is that when we go out, she doesn’t need a book to poop. But most likely when you start a habit of passing something to your child during poop-time, that habit will stay, in that same context.

For example, if the first time he/she pooped is at home and you gave a toy for holding, you’ll probably need to prepare a toy for every subsequent pooping time at home.

Kids toilet training tips! Read how we skipped the potty and went straight to the toilet bowl when Mae was 2 years old. This is good for first time parents!

I hope that you have been blessed by reading this post on "Kids Toilet Training Tips: How we Skipped the Potty and Started on the Toilet Bowl".

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Milton Goh

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3 Comments

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7/10/2021 05:43:25 pm

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Ryan Durant link

5/8/2022 11:31:10 pm

If you can pee with others around, bring your child with you to stand in front of the toilet to watch you pee, using proper modesty. Thank you for taking the time to write a great post!

Richard Beachum link

7/8/2022 03:51:06 am

Your anxiety may cause your child to be even more adverse to the idea of using the toilet bowl. Wait for that day when your child says yes, Thank you for sharing your great post!