Sunday, August 7, 2011

Potty Training Children without Using Comments That Are Offensive to Incontinent People

Nothing makes me madder than for people to say that children are now big boys or big girls for using the potty. Why does it make me so mad? Well, because it is so far from the truth.

I find such comments to be offensive. I can understand that parents need to encourage their children during potty training; however, I feel that potty training encouragement can be provided without having to lie to the kids. Yes, telling kids that they are now grown because they are using the potty is a lie. Sure, it is what most normal adults do. But what is not being considered is that there are many intelligent adults who are far from being babies that need to wear diapers to manage a medical condition.

I've potty trained a number of children, and not once did I have to resort to telling them that they are wearing big boy or big girl underwear or stupid stuff like that they are all grown up for using the potty. I've used other motivators. What I've done is as follows:

*Made potty time special by providing toys and books that can only be played with while on the potty.

*Used a whole lot of praise.

*Used potty treats and potty prizes.

*Played potty games to help pass the time and make things a lot of fun.

*Made the bathroom a comfortable place, such as by providing soft andfluffy rugs to keep the kids from having to walk on the cold floor, using a soft toilet seat, and making sure the temperature in the bathroom is tolerable.

I am pleased to say that all the children I've worked with have responded well. I plan to use these methods on my own children also. Never do I want my children to be fed the trash that diapers are for babies only. I want my children to be tolerant of people with all sorts of medical conditions. What's more, I want them to know the truth. I want to be one who contributes to making a stigma free generation. A stigma free generation will make life easier for individuals with incontinence.