Aydin`s Pirate House

Potty Training?

Nenek Lumut brought up the idea of potty training once Aydin reaches 18 months of age. So this prompted me to do some research on signs that my little man is indeed ready to potty. This was a good article I found with a readiness checklist which was useful. I've put √ in front of bits I think he has at least some ability to do. But we arent there yet. At least I know where to prepare :)

I did not grow up with any brothers so have no experience with teaching little boys how to go to the loo. This should be interesting ehehe. I have a longer article on actual potty training, also from Babycentre. Will share bits of that as we go along.

Comments in red and bits I think important highlighted.

From Babycentre UK
Reviewed by Sarah Pearson, M.D., September 2006

It probably seems like just yesterday that you changed your toddler's first diaper, and now you're wondering if it's time to start potty training. There's no magic age at which children are ready to start learning how to use the potty, but some develop the necessary physical and cognitive skills between 18 and 24 months of age. Many parents don't start potty training until their children are 2 1/2 to 3 years old, when daytime bladder control has become more reliable. And some children aren't interested in potty training until they're closer to 3, or even 4.

Use the checklist below to measure your toddler's progress toward readiness, and keep in mind that starting before your child is truly ready doesn't mean you'll finish sooner — it's more likely that the process will just end up taking longer.You don't have to wait until you've checked off every item to start training. Just look for a general trend toward independence and an understanding of what it means to go to the bathroom like a grown-up.

Physical signs

√ Is coordinated enough to walk, and even run, steadily.
√ Urinates a fair amount at one time.
Has regular, well-formed bowel movements at relatively predictable times.
Has "dry" periods of at least three or four hours, which shows that his bladder muscles are developed enough to hold urine.

Behavioral signs

√ Can sit down quietly in one position for two to five minutes. Very Rarely, unless tired hehe
Can pull his pants up and down.
Dislikes the feeling of wearing a wet or dirty diaper.
√ Shows interest in others' bathroom habits (wants to watch you go to the bathroom or wear underwear).
√ Gives a physical or verbal sign when he's having a bowel movement such as grunting, squatting, or telling you.
√ Demonstrates a desire for independence.
√ Takes pride in his accomplishments.
Isn't resistant to learning to use the toilet.
Is in a generally cooperative stage, not a negative or contrary one.

Cognitive signs

√ Can follow simple instructions, such as "go get the toy." Sometimes this works...
√ Understands the value of putting things where they belong.
Has words for urine and stool.
Understands the physical signals that mean he has to go and can tell you before it happens or even hold it until he has time to get to the potty.

Tantrums and Self control..

Your 17-month-old's behavior: Self-control -- or lack thereof by Dana Sullivan Reviewed by the BabyCenter Medical Advisory Board

Highlights

New this month: Self-control — or lack thereof
What you can do
Other developments: Taming temper tantrums

New this month: Self-control — or lack thereof

What would the world be like if we all acted on every impulse? If adults had no self-control? Observe a couple of 17-month-olds and in no time you'll have some idea: chaos. Children aren't born with self-control, so when your toddler is hungry, he wants to eat ... immediately. When he wants the toy his friend is playing with, he wants it ... right now! He doesn't understand that screaming won't make the food come any sooner (even though this method worked when he was a newborn), or that forcefully grabbing a toy is going to upset his playmate.

What you can do

Since toddlers want what they want when they want it (passionately!), explaining the consequences of their actions won't give you immediate results. But go ahead and try. Explaining things in a reassuring voice is good practice for the future and if you do it with lots of affection and physical contact, you'll make it easier for your toddler to stay calm when he needs to wait a little bit or cooperate with you.

Though it may seem impossible at times, if you are warm and patient when your toddler is most trying, you may find that he's more willing to settle down. Try to show your happiness when your toddler cooperates and complies with your requests, but be prepared to remove him from the situation if he won't.

Other developments: Taming temper tantrums

Quick! What's the quickest way to stop a tantrum? Cave in to your toddler's demands, right? Now, what's the best way to guarantee that the tantrums will continue? Same thing. If you reward your child for "stopping" his tantrum, he'll figure it out pretty quickly. And he'll have tantrums just so he can get what he wants. But if you simply ignore the tantrum, which may be difficult to do sometimes, he'll learn just as quickly that this behavior doesn't move you and he'll likely stop. If you're in a public place such as a restaurant or store, your best bet may be to leave with him until he calms down.

It may help you to deal with your toddler's tantrums if you understand what's behind them, at least in part. At 17 months a child may want to master stacking five blocks on top of one another. Or he's determined to put his own shoes on, to ride his older sister's bike, or to eat with a fork. When he can't, he may get frustrated. Tantrums are more likely to occur when your child is hungry, tired, or over-stimulated. Sometimes a tantrum is a plea for your attention: a reassuring hug and your undivided attention can make the storm clouds go away.

Tantrums aren't easy for parents. It can be hard to listen to a lot of crying, or to have your child be angry at you. But tantrums are a completely normal part of toddler development