During the holidays, how can you help your child become potty trained? - Featured

2023-07-28 10:00:28

July 28, 2023

This is the fear of many parents: “before the start of the school year, will my child be rid of his nappies”? Here are some tips to best support your little one.

First of all, let’s debunk a preconceived idea: no, no school will refuse your child because he is not clean. In 2021, the Minister in charge of Education at the time, Jean-Michel Blanquer explained that ” the acquisition of cleanliness can in no case be a condition that prevents the registration and attendance of the child at school ».

Either way, a clean child will be more confident when it comes to going through the schooling stage. So, how to help him?

If this is not an exact science, it is generally between 18 and 24 months that cleanliness is acquired. Everything is a question of maturity: it is only from 18 months that the mastery of the sphincters takes place. It varies from child to child. And a little one who learns to be clean at 2 and a half years old is not late. Some are overnight. For others, it will be longer, with many accidents.

As parents, your behavior will be essential in this “learning”. Depending on whether you are relaxed or impatient, your child will learn more or less easily. Calmly explain things to him and observe him. Maybe he is cooperating on his own without you knowing about it. Does he have a particular attitude that could suggest that he wants to relieve himself? Does he squat? Does he start saying the words “pee” or “poo” when pointing to his diaper?

Enjoy the holidays

Put his pot near the toilet and explain to him what it is for. Then, regularly offer your toddler to sit on it. After each meal, for example. The little ones need rituals. When installed, leave it alone. If he sees that you are expecting a result, he will be contracted. And if after a few minutes nothing happens, do not insist.

Summer can be a good opportunity to gradually take off the diaper and replace it with panties. Getting it wet is embarrassing. This can encourage him to alert you when the time comes. Don’t forget, of course, to congratulate him – without being ecstatic – each time he manages to stay dry! If he manages to relieve himself, teach him how to wash his hands with soap and water as soon as possible.

If, on the contrary, he refuses to do anything in his pot, do not see this as an act of defiance. No need to force it. It’s just that he’s not ready. It’s all about patience. Try again later.

Finally, children usually learn to potty train the day before nightfall. Hence the need to put a diaper on them before going to bed at night.