Once Upon a Potty

 Once Upon a Potty

Once Upon a Potty is a children’s story book about a mother who is trying to potty train her son. It tries to show parents the different hurdles and obstacles she had to pass through together with her son and how eventually they succeeded.

Once upon a potty is the best companion to a child’s new potty. Written and illustrated by Alona Frankel in the early 1970s.  She wrote the book when she was potty training her first. Alona wrote the book “Once Upon a Potty” so it could encourage and motivate her son during the potty training process and it proved to work since her boy child made the developmental leap from the diapers to the potty.

There is a lot to love about Once Upon a Potty story book. The start with, the bright and eye catching illustrations that are contained in the book. The language used is very clear and simple for the children’s better understanding.  

If you frustrated at the end of a long day cleaning up the mess and changing pants every now and then , then you need to go grab this book now. The best way to reduce the “accidents” is by using the simple and clear language used in the book and more often repeating the kind words that Joshua’s mother is saying to her son in the book. This process followed to the later will help a frustrated parent keep her cool and they will never say that potty training is hard.

Once upon a potty is a story book that shows how a child has “accidents” occasionally but will eventually succeed in using the potty properly. It also contains words that will help the parent explain to her children that the new potty is not something to be scared of. Once upon a potty is by far the best potty training book for both boys and girls children.

Once upon a potty is loved by many boys and girls. It is a book they will enjoy reading and it makes potty training easier. The book has G rated pictures of the different body parts that are used when the children want to pee or poop.

Once upon a potty is a fun book for both the small children and their caregivers. The girl’s version talks about a pretty little girl called Prudence.  She just got her new potty and is in the process of learning how to use it.  With the brightly coloured illustrations which are both friendly and fascinating, girls who have this book will never let it go out of their sight.

The existence of the explicit depictions of body parts, excrement and urine enhances the educational value of the book.

Once upon a potty has also the boy’s version whose main star is Joshua. While the parent or the  caregiver reads the book to the boy child, he will try and relate himself to “Joshua”  and also he will try to do the same things that Joshua does. Reading this book to your child will ensure the smooth transition from diaper to potty a successful event.

Best potty training seats

Best potty training seats

If your child is fearful of flushing or sitting on the big toilet, a potty chair is a welcome alternative. There's no flush noise, and no fear of falling in. It's their own. Some toddlers appreciate having a potty of their very own and can be very proud of 'going' in it.

It's low to the ground so a child can sit down on it quickly. There's no climbing involved, which makes things a lot more stable for children who are training at an earlier age. They don't have to master getting up on a stool or steps to reach the big potty. And, when every moment counts for getting on the potty when your child really 'has to go', having a potty at their own level can help a child succeed.

Much more variety in form and design. Depending on your child's personality and motivations, you can choose from potty chairs that resemble thrones, plastic ones that are made to look like scaled-down versions of the real thing, ones with flushing sounds, and of course, potty chairs that look like animals or feature your child's favorite character.

 
Easily moveable. Depending on what school of potty training thought you follow, it can be beneficial to be able to have a potty close at hand to where your child is playing so that he can sit down on it quickly when the urge to go potty hits.

More convenient for 'dry runs'. Even before potty training officially begins, many children benefit from practicing sitting on the potty.

Provides an extra potty. If you have more people in your family than bathrooms, it's inevitable that your toddler will need to 'go' when all the other toilets are occupied. As they are learning, it's great to have a dedicated place for them to potty as the urge hits. I've kept an old potty chair around for my daughter because we only have one bathroom and it has come in handy for bathroom emergencies.

Disadvantages of Potty Chairs

Some kids need to re-train a bit when it comes time to transition from the potty chair to a regular toilet, and you may need to purchase a potty seat in addition.

It's not as easy to travel with a potty chair; they're not something you can take along to the mall or the grocery store in case nature calls. Some kids are very wary of unfamiliar toilets, so this is a consideration to take into account.

They can get knocked over. One time my daughter was really excited that she used the potty, then proceeded to bump it, splashing urine on the floor, her clothes, and herself. 'nuff said.

My least favorite aspect of potty seats is cleaning them. Even the easiest-to-clean ones need to be rinsed out every time, and cleaned out well each time your child deposits a #2 in there.

Potty Seats have Many Advantages

Training your child to use the big toilet right away. There's no transition from a little toilet.

Being just like Mommy and Daddy or an older sibling who uses the big toilet. That can be a big motivator to some children.

Easier cleanup. Usually, this just consists of wiping off any drips, since the liquid and solid waste go straight into the big toilet bowl to be flushed away.

Portability. Most potty seats are compact enough to be easily carried in a bag to come along to the mall, a friend's house, or on vacation so that your child always has his or her 'very own' toilet seat wherever they go.

Adventure for the young climber. A factor that you might not think of right away is if your child enjoys steps and climbing, going up a step stool to use a potty seat might have some extra appeal. I know my daughter likes to sit up there to have a bigger view of things.

Potty Seat -- The Disadvantages

I think the photo is self-explanatory.

Potty seats can't be perfectly stable on top of the big toilet unless they're clamped on, so it's essential to supervise your child. My daughter figured out she could rock from side to side on one and fell off the commode.

It's harder for kids to get up on themselves For early toilet training, it can take that crucial few extra seconds for a child to climb up to the potty and not get the urine or poop in before they start 'going.' At least in my house, even an extra split-second was the difference between clean success and a messy almost-success.

Before my son was even remotely ready, I conducted online research for his first potty. I considered convenience, durability and price.This potty seemed pretty simple to use for parent and child while being neutral in gender (in the event I had a girl next—which I did!) and fun in its design. It had a detachable seat (with handles) that could be used on a regular toilet, a removable capture container, a sensor that rewarded each ‘incident’ with a song, a noise making flushing handle, and a toilet paper holder. Also, it had one of my must-haves for a potty chair—a detachable splash/misplaced fountain catcher for boys (if you have a boy, you know what I mean!).

Compared to older potty chairs I have seen my mother use with my younger siblings, this potty chair is far superior. It's much more entertaining for the kids, has a real toilet look, has a sturdy base for less spills, and includes a detachable seat when your child is ready for the 'big potty

Tricks to potty training

Tricks to potty training

A free potty training tip or two may be just what you need to make this step in your child's development a little bit easier. Potty training is a challenge because, if you think about it, the idea of using a toilet for waste management is a rather abstract concept. To adults, this may seem like a simple task that requires no more thought than walking or breathing but to a child; this can be a great challenge. They have to answer questions for themselves such as "Am I doing this right?", "Why can't I just go in my diaper like I always have", or "What is the purpose of all of this?". Therefore, it is only natural for a parent to seek advice on how to make this whole process go by more smoothly.

Here are some other tips to consider during this process. Do not make your child feel ashamed of the waste products he or she is producing. This can lead to your child feeling self-conscious about using the toilet. Also, make sure that the training toilet that you use is not too large or too small for your child because you want your child to be as comfortable as possible throughout this process. Finally, keep in mind that it can take a few weeks or longer for your child to finally be able to use the bathroom on his or her own. Patience is a necessity for any potty training parent.

There are no secrets to making this process easier. Of course, there are things you can do to make it easier, but in actuality; you are simply teaching your child a life skill that they will have to learn, eventually. No matter what, do not give up and remember to guide your child every step of the way. After all, once training is complete, you will never have to worry about it ever again.

Potty training your child is a challenging task that can be made easier if you use the tips and tricks learned from parents who have gone before you.

The most popular tip is to turn on the tap while your little one is on the potty. The water will act as a stimulus to initiate urinating.

 Another trick is to fill a bowl with lukewarm water and add some of your child's favourite toys in the bowl. Position the bowel in front of the child and allow him to play with the toys. Chances are that as soon as he places his hands in the bowel to play with the toys, he may immediately have to go.

 Place some items in the toilet. This trick is specifically aimed at boys. By giving them something to aim at in the pot will serve as a huge motivation and is instinctive for boys. You can use Skittles or simply little balls of toilet paper. Bubble bath is great as well so you can tell your child to make bubbles.

 Draw a target on a tree. This is once again a trick that works specifically for boys. Tell him that he will need to water the tree by peeing on it.

 Allow your child to operate in the nude. Running around naked will make them feel less constrained and they will be more inclined to go to the bathroom when the need arises.

 Come up with a potty song. Singing helps as it helps them become comfortable in the bathroom. Be creative here.

Use books or videos to help your child understand the potty training process. Reading their favourite book while on the potty will also make time pass quicker.

John Rosemond potty training tips

 John Rosemond potty training tips

John Rosemond   is a family psychologist who also gives tips on best potty training methods. He advocates for different methods of toddler potty training. Below is one of the many approaches he recommends for parents worldwide.

Approach toilet training with the same casual, matter-of-fact attitude with which you approached teaching your child to eat with a spoon. They are, after all, both self-help skills. Despite psychobabble to the contrary, neither is fraught with apocalyptic psychological ramifications. When spoon-training your child, you encouraged without being silly, conveyed a clear expectation and tolerated the temporary mess.

If you can muster that same attitude with regard to potty training, you’re halfway there.

Second, put a potty or two in that area or those areas of the home where your toddler spends most of his time. Keep it in the bathroom and you inadvertently invoke the Out of Sight, Out of Mind Principle. If the layout of your house and your child’s range of movement require it, put out two potties. They should be simple, Spartan contraptions, not ones that do silly, superfluous things like play Barney songs when sat upon.

Third, set aside a week during which you can spend most of your time at home. Your ability to maintain a calm focus during this teaching time will help your toddler remember what you are expecting of him.

Fourth, if you’re working with a girl, she should spend her day naked from the waist down. Don’t even use diapers for naps. Dress a boy in nothing but the thinnest cotton underwear you can find. The point, in either case, is for the “mess” to travel unimpeded down the child’s legs, which they do not like. Just take a deep breath and clean it up.

Fifth, as soon as your child wakes up in the morning, take him to the potty. When he is seated, walk away, saying, “Call me when you’ve done something and I’ll clean you up.” Do not hover or otherwise act nervous. If your child refuses to sit, so be it. Make this into a power struggle and you’re done for.

Sixth, whether or not your child produces at the first sitting of the day, set a timer to ring every 60 minutes or so (different kids, different intervals). Call it the “potty bell.” When it rings, simply announce that it’s time to sit on the potty. Remember, don’t hang around.

Seventh, clean up messes without drama. Nonetheless, don’t tell your child that making a mess is OK. It’s not! When he has an accident say, “Make sure you sit on the potty next time.” Be firm and resolute, but don’t be angry.

Eighth, respond to successes positively, but not overly enthusiastically. Do not, under any circumstances, give rewards or use them as enticements.