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Toilet training over one weekend

Parents play a crucial role in the toilet training process. It is in their hands to make the process pleasant and harmonious on the one hand or full of anger and frustration on the other. In order to contribute the most to the success of the toilet training process, parents must commence when they are ready, full of patience, and available for it. It is recommended to adopt a number of principles that will ensure a positive process that will be effective and short, will make an important contribution to the child’s developing personality, will strengthen his confidence and self-image as well as his trust and confidence in his parents.

This is an intensive focused program implemented by the parents continuously over several days (recommended on a long weekend or during holidays).

  • Before implementing the program, make sure that the child shows clear signs of readiness to quit, especially expressions of desire to stop using the diaper and switch to using the toilet. It is recommended to implement the program after a period in which the child has been exposed to books and videos on the subject.
  1. Make a long weekend (two-three days) and dedicate it especially to the issue of toilet training.

During the two weeks leading up to that weekend, start talking to the child about the subject and make a series of preparations: go with the child to the store and purchase new underwear for him while sharing the choice (colors, patterns) and turning the event into something exciting, happy and pleasant. A large number of pairs of underwear should be purchased (about 20) because at first there will be many replacements, and there will be no time to wash and dry. Having a large inventory of exchangeable pairs reduces the pressure on parents.

Purchase with the child a doll that can be filled with water and which can “pee”

  1. Prepare a large inventory of small prizes such as: stickers and tiny toys
  2. Begin the process by recruiting the child for the task of toilet training the doll.

In the first stage, the doll is still wearing a diaper. Offer her to remove the diaper and learn to urinate in the bathroom

With the child, remove the diaper from the doll, fill it with water and start a role-playing game where you play and talk to the doll. At a certain moment, the doll announces (the role of the doll is played by one of the parents) that she feels the need to pee. She is praised and complimented on the very detection of the feeling and the request to pee.

 Take her to the bathroom in all its glory and allow her to pee in the toilet. She is showered with compliments on her success, colorful stickers are affixed to her clothes and she can even be offered a small toy as a reward

  1. Refill the doll with water. Continue to play different games and after a while she again announces the need to vacate the bathroom. Repeat the process
  2. Repeat the process several times for about three to four hours. Care is taken to give the child a central role in the care of the doll, in taking her to the bathroom and in her instruction regarding lowering water, washing hands and also regarding the awarding of stickers and prizes. It is recommended to sit the doll in the whole process on the the toilet seat size reducer.
  3. Once every half hour, physically check the panties for the doll and praise it every time the panties are dry. Compliment the doll for its ability to control and keep underwear dry. She is occasionally offered a sticker or toy
  4. Throughout the process, the child is offered his or her favorite drinks, watermelon is also possible – all to fill the bladder with fluids and create pressure and the need to evacuate
  5. In many cases, at some point, the child himself will express a desire to join the doll and also remove the diaper. If there is no initiative on the part of the child, about three hours later, gently invite him to join the process. Do not push the child and do not try to persuade him excessively. Parents should behave in a way that makes it clear that the child does not have to do anything to satisfy their desire.
  6. If the child refuses to participate, leave him and continue the process with the doll.
  7. If the child agrees to participate, remove the diaper and put on one of the new pairs of underwear.
  8. With the child and the doll, go to the bathroom every half hour and try to keep the child sitting on the toilet for about five minutes.
  9. Praise the child in any case where he pees or poops in the toilet.

. Encourage him to notify when he feels the need to go.

  1. Once every half hour, physically inspect his underwear, and praise him every time the underwear is dry.
  2. In such cases, give the child colorful stickers or toys and even call relatives (grandparents) and take pride in his achievement.
  3. At the same time, continue to check, take to the bathroom and praise the doll as well.
  4. When one feels real progress in the child’s reactions, move on to longer periods of an hour, then an hour and a half and so on, and allow him to discover more and more of his own initiative.
  5. Gradually, the child develops independence in the subject until he is completely independent.

 

It should be noted that the whole process does not always end within one weekend. In many cases, such a process gives a serious boost to the toilet training issue, but requires additional work for a few more days or weeks. Prepare for the possibility of occasional setbacks, even after full toilet training appears to have been achieved. Such events should be accepted with understanding and not express anger and disappointment towards the child.