Week 7 Potty Project: Calming Your Child’s Fears

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First read this week's potty lesson, then move on to the project below.

Your Week 7 Assignment

If your child is reluctant to give up her diapers or is fearful of sitting on her potty, express empathy for what she is feeling. Here are some lines to use:

• “It’s tough giving up diapers. You like them. You’ve worn them all your life. I understand.”
  
  
• “It’s scary sitting on the big toilet. You worry that you’ll be flushed away. I’m going to be right here next to you to make sure that doesn’t happen.”
  
  
• “I see that you’re scared to let pee and poop fall into your little potty. I understand. I promise that only pee and poop will fall from your body, nothing else.”

Week 7 Toilet Training Tip

If you’ve a new baby in your home, beginning the potty training process with your toddler will likely be more difficult than it would be otherwise. Allow your child to adjust to life with a sibling before expecting her to make this leap fully. Don’t give up prepping for potty training completely, just realize that most children regress emotionally with the arrival of a sibling; they need time to adjust, coupled with reassurance that they’re still loved.

The best way to prove love is by spending time with your older child. Once she has settled into life with a baby brother or sister, then she’ll quickly be back on the road to potty training.