Help! How do I potty train my child?

Of course, your child will not become potty-trained on his or her own. This is where you as a parent have a lot of influence. It is important to realize that this takes a lot of patience and time. If an accident happens, it doesn't matter. It can happen. 

Average time of toilet training

Again, it is very important that you have a lot of patience. Potty training takes a lot of time. If you start pushing, it often has a negative effect on the child. Of course, every child is different. And certainly in development. Here is a small summary of an average child:

• Between 18 and 24 months: practicing with the potty
• Between 24 and 30 months: potty training
• Between 30 and 36 months: potty-trained during the day
• Between 36 and 40 months: also housebroken at night

Tips for toilet training

Cleaning your child is often underestimated. It takes time, practice and perseverance. Fortunately, I have some great tips that will really help:

1. Read a book about potty training together.
2. Go to the potty/toilet at set times.
3. Make it fun. Reward them when they have done well. A good alternative are the training stickers. You can stick these on the potty when he or she has done well.
4. Be consistent. 
5. Put your child on the potty regularly. This is especially important in the beginning.
6. Also, get your child used to the potty. 
7. Replace the potty with a toilet trainer.
8. Adjust your child's clothes if they are already going on the toilet trainer. replace beg rompers with leggings or pants.
9. Take extra clothes with you for when you go out.
10. Teach them first to go out only during the day and later at night. 

Going to the bathroom together

Going to the toilet together with your child is a very good method. If your toddler sees what you are doing, there is a good chance that he or she will copy you and want to go to the toilet themselves. Therefore, be clear in your actions and try to give good explanations. If you go to the bathroom together, your child will get used to the bathroom right away. Then it will be less scary for them. 

Different methods

There are many different methods for toilet training. Which one you fit is entirely up to you and your child. 

• No more diaper. You try to get your child through the day without a diaper. With this method, you explain to your child that he or she should indicate when he has to pee.
• Reward method. Compliments will get you a long way. For example, give a reward when he or she achieves a new goal. For example, 3 days of not wetting the bed.
• Sentence communication. As soon as you know if your child needs to pee or poop, take him or her to the potty.
• Fixed times on the potty. If you keep set times, you should keep this up for a long time. For example, fifteen minutes after dinner and just before bedtime.

Every child is different

Every child grows differently in development. One child might be ready earlier than another. Or some will pick up learning faster than others. That doesn't matter. If it takes a little longer than normal don't worry, because it really will come.