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How to Potty Train a Stubborn 3 Year Old Child

How to Potty Train a Stubborn 3 Year Old Child

Potty training for a 3 year old child should be a must because the child is old enough for preschool, where diapers aren't usually allowed. This would be a challenging task to most of the parents.

So here are a few steps to make your child interested in potty training:

Step-1:

  • Firstly, your child has to know the benefits of it. So make sure that you give them few suggestions regarding it and give them a brief idea.
  • Read such books as "I Want My Potty," and "Lift the Lid, Use the Potty,". At this point, make no demands on your child -- simply discuss how exciting it will be to use the potty.
  • DVDs can be useful at this point, too. If your child has a particular show that he loves, find out whether that character has a potty-training show.

Step-2:

  • Creating a reward chart with the child, which basically make them feel excited.
  • A 3-year-old will be able to tell you what types of incentives they would like to work towards with the potty chart.
  • A reward chart for potty training will be most effective if a child is rewarded for each success and also has long-term goals for a larger reward. 

Step-3:

  • Begin the program slowly, and let your child make some of the decisions.
  • The chart may start with the child being rewarded for simply sitting on the potty or telling you that they have to use the potty.
  • Once that skill is mastered, move on to the next step of peeing in the potty.

Step-4:

  • Getting rid of diapers. Once you and your child have moved to the next step of peeing in the potty instead of just sitting on it, or your child informs you when they need to use the potty, get rid of diapers except during naptimes and bedtimes. Some children need to sense what an accident feels like to give them the incentive to use the potty.
  • Diapers mask the feelings of wetness and cold.

 

Step-5:

  • Take the child to the potty very regularly.
  • Ask the child every 30 minutes if they need to use the potty.
  • If it's been a while since your child has urinated, point out that they will be rewarded for sitting on the potty.
  • As the child learns to recognize the signals that they need to use the toilet, they may begin to ask you to help them on the potty.

Step-6:

  • Make sure your child helps you clean up their own messes if there are still having regular accidents after several days or a week of following your potty training program.
  • This action teaches the child the consequence of urinating or having a bowel movement outside the bathroom. Make sure not to get angry or scold the child, because that will create a power struggle. Instead, be very calm and reiterate the process of using the potty to the child.

THINGS YOU'LL NEED:

  • Reward chart

  • Small toys/stickers

 

TIPS:

  • Need to be firm, but patient.
  • You will be able to potty train your child in a short period of time if he really wants the reward you’ve promised and if you offer support in a friendly way.
  • A stubborn child will close down if he senses criticism.