The Bathroom Chronicles: Potty Training Resources for Busy Parents

June is National Potty Training Awareness Month. In order to signify the importance of potty training for both toddlers and preschooler I have written the post below. 


Potty training is a major milestone in a child's life. It is associated with greater self-care independence and acknowledgement of ones physical needs. While many parents find potty training more challenging then other developmental milestones, please understand that children are not being difficult if they do not wish to use the toilet at a particular time.


Many times children fear the unknown (even) when it comes down to something we perceive as simple as using the toilet on ones own. Other times, children diets can cause constipation and they associate pain with using the potty. In this case, a change in your child's diet may resolve this issue. Another cause of bathroom issues may be that your child is too preoccupied with a fascinating activity, such as playing with a favorite toy, and may ignore the urge to use the restroom. 


Some of the steps you can use to make potty training easier are simple songs which help children realize the necessities of using the restroom, potty training DVDs with cuddly cartoon characters or children that help establish the normalcy of going potty, creating potty training sticker charts as a form of positive reinforcement each time they successfully complete their potty training, and simple books that can be read numerous times to establish the routine. 


The following are wonderful resources that make potty training easier for both parents and children: 


Websites
http://www.pull-ups.com/na/activities.aspx?phase=0
Items in this section include an iGo Potty App for your iPhone, a wet or dry game, and a personality quiz which cues you in on you child’s potty training style. 

http://www.pull-ups.com/na/article_viewall.aspx?phase=4

These pertinent and informative articles with topics such as overnight toilet training, make potty training a breeze. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PsHultPr-wA

Parents TV host Juli Auclair and guests discuss innovative bathroom tips and gadgets which help your child achieve potty training success. 

Parent's Resources
Stress-free Potty Training : A Common Sense Guide to Finding the Right Approach For Your Child by Sara Au 
The Playskool Guide to Potty Training : the Best Strategies, Essential Information, and Practical Advice For Your Toddler's Potty Success by Karen Deerwester 
Potty Training Girls the Easy Way: A Stress-free Guide to Helping Your Daughter Learn Quickly by Caroline Fertlemann 
Potty Training Boys the Easy Way : Helping Your Son Learn Quickly -- Even If He's a Late Starter by Caroline Fertlemann 

DVDs

Go Potty Go! Potty Training for Tiny Toddlers. Produced by Mazzarella Media 

Potty Adventures Potty Training in Easy to Follow Steps for Boys and Girls Produced by Soaring Star Productions  
Sesame Street Elmo’s Potty Time 

Books

My Potty and I: A friend in Need by The Bernstains

Your New Potty by Joanna Cole 

P.J. and the Puppy by Cathryn Falwell 

No More Diapers for Ducky by Bernadette G. Ford 

Once Upon a Potty by Alona Frankel (Boys and Girls editions available)

Potty by Mylo Freeman 

The Princess and the Potty by Wendy Cheyette Lewison 

Sam’s Potty by Barbo Lindgren 

Uh Oh! Gotta Go: Potty Tales From Toddlers by Bob McGrath 

On Your Potty by Virginia Miller 

Going to the Potty by Fred Rogers 

Dinosaur vs. the Potty by Bob Shea 

Potty Time by Guido Van Genechten