Making it Happen: Tips for Encouraging the Almost-Potty Trained Child

Potty

Image by nmoira via Flickr

When it comes to the developmental milestones in a toddler’s life, potty training is a big one. Once a child can discern and appropriately respond to the body’s signals, it’s time to trade those expensive diapers for fun undies. However, earning those washable undergarments isn’t easy. Here are some tips for the almost-potty trained child.

  • Track progress. With calendar printing, you can design a weekly chart that displays potty triumphs and set backs. Let your child put a sticker on the days when there are no accidents. After the child has a certain number of stickers in a row, reward the child with a special treat. This gives your child a visual reminder of the importance of potty time and a goal to achieve.
  • Purchase the right equipment. Is it possible your child is too big for the toddler-sized potty you bought when you first began this adventure? If so, invest in a step stool and potty seat that will make the gaping hole of the regular toilet less intimidating. This allows your child to “move up” comfortable to the adults’ toilet.
  • Talk about the potty. Ask your child frequently if it’s time for a potty break. If your child says “no” but it’s been a couple of hours since the last successful trip to the bathroom, encourage your child to try to go potty. One mother found success with her son by asking him to just give “one little drop.” Thinking that sounded easy enough, the child was motivated and emptied his bladder.

Remember to stay positive because negativity can lead to setbacks instead of success.

Filed Under: Parenting

Defining Rules: Parenting Advice

Boy in Spain

Image via Wikipedia

Wisdom is meant to be common. Logic is to be expected. You are governed by careful thoughts, with all impulses tamed to experience. There are rules that must be followed — and you strive always to uphold them, knowing that they create order for an all too hectic world.

Your child doesn’t share this sensibility, however. He is instead baffled by it, can’t comprehend why you devote so much of yourself to regulations… or why you assumed he would do the same.

It is an easy mistake for parents to think that their children are capable of good reasoning. This is a skill that is developed over time — and yet it’s too often believed to be natural. It’s not. Individuals must understand therefore that youths need explanations for every rule that is created.

The laws of a household must be clearly defined. Children require structure — but, more importantly, they require clarity. All rules must be detailed. Their causes and effects must be outlined in ways that can be easily understood. This is the only way to make them relevant, ensuring that they’re adhered to. Choosing to simply demand obedience without offering why will result in confusion and possibly rebellion.

Parents must therefore chart out every rule. They must cite the need for order and be certain that need is recognized. Communication is essential and correlations must be created. This will allow obedience to be achieved with ease, rather than requiring constant punishment.

Your child doesn’t process information the way you do. You must therefore offer explanations that are simple, straightforward and can’t be undone by young logic.

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Filed Under: Child Development, Parenting Tagged With: , ,

Positive Praise: The Need for Consistency

Child 1

Image by Tony Tr?n via Flickr

Time is the villain of your storybook existence. It moves too swiftly, demanding all of your attention, stealing precious hours. There are never enough seconds to do what you must, and the result is a schedule that is frantic on the best of days. Too often does this leave you unable to maintain the goals you’ve created. Moments can’t remain suspended and you must rush after them, ignoring what is not essential.

Positive reinforcement suffers from that definition — and all of the efforts you’ve offered to conditioning suddenly disappear.

The notion of positive reinforcement is one many parents are familiar with. Its foundations are shaped to rewards and happy consequences, allowing children to make connections between morality and the smiles it can bring. Too often is it considered to be a simple process — with families certain that occasional rewards will be enough to satisfy its requirements.

This is incorrect.

The purpose of this system is to establish the value of good behavior. Accomplishing that requires time, with children conditioned slowly over an excess of months. Consistency is therefore needed; and individuals who lack the ability to offer that will not see results.

It’s essential therefore that parents devote the necessary minutes each day to positive reinforcement. They must be constant in their rewards, ensuring that the connections are solidified. A routine must be established… and maintained. Refusing to do this will only cause erratic behavior and low retention levels. Children will simply not understand what’s expected of them.

Positivity isn’t an easy task. It must instead be offered dedication — with time utilized wisely and consistently.

 

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Filed Under: Child Development, Parenting Tagged With: , ,

The Benefits of Cell Phones for Teenagers

As your teenager begins to turn the corner from childhood to adulthood, you may wonder whether or not you should give him or her a cell phone. While considering the risks, you should also consider the benefits that your teen could have from a cell phone.

Keep Safe. When your teen begins to drive, you can always know that they are safe if they have a cell phone with them. This can keep you from anxiety if they are running late, and can also allow them an easy way to contact you if they need directions. In fact, many parents are taking advantage of teens’ adeptness to cell phones’ texting by requiring kids to text their parents whenever they have safely arrived at their directed destination.

Keep Organized. If you get your teen a blackberry smartphone, you can help your teen realize the importance and opportunity of being organized. With a daily planner, reminders, and other features, a smartphone can help your teen take control of his or her life and better organize it. Having a blackberry could mean fewer missed appointments and better time management.

Keep in Touch. Not only will your teen be able to keep in touch with you, he or she can also keep in touch with other adults, including summer bosses or possible internship possibilities. By giving your teen their own phone, you give them more responsibility to keep track of whoever calls them, whether for social, business, or academic purposes. This handing over the control is an important aspect of parenting during the adolescent years and can help your teen make a smooth transition into college life and adulthood.

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Filed Under: Discipline, Parenting Tagged With: , ,