Should I potty train at Christmas?
Normally, I would've said the pressure and stress of having family around, of celebrating & seeing friends, do not make for the ideal scenario for potty training. However, these aren't normal circumstances, so read on to find out some of the pros and cons. And no, it's not related to the weather - if you're ready to start there's no point waiting for the summer!
The Pros
- Most of us will have some time off without having to take days off work. This also means that both parents will be around to support the learning process, whereas the responsibility usually falls on one caregiver.
- This year, Christmas is bound to be a quieter affair. You may not be having guests coming. Or they may be coming for the day but not staying over, so there is less pressure on being successful but also on being a good host (wee on the sofa doesn't qualify as good hosting, sorry).
- Trips to the panto, long afternoons at the pub and a busy social calendar are probably out of the picture. At the beginning of the process it's always good to be at home or in a familiar environment, so neither parents nor toddler need to be worrying about public toilets, accidents or how quickly then can get the potty out.
The Cons
- Well-intentioned relatives often have very different views on how and when to start potty training. Support is great but interference can be hard to handle - for parents as well as for children!
- Christmas is an exciting time for most families and children often find it equally exciting and over-stimulating. If you also try to change their whole elimination routine, you could encounter more resistance or they might simply be too distracted to be bothered about using the potty.
- If you do have guest coming over, are you prepared to deal with accidents in an equally calm manner? Accidents can be frustrating and even the most patient amongst us feel like it's an unnecessary stress, but remember our toddlers also learn from our reaction to accidents!
In conclusion...
If you decide this is the right time for your family, here are a couple of tips:
- Make sure everyone is "in" on your potty training plan. Explain to family why you're not using sticker charts, or sitting them on the potty every 20 mins, or offering over the top praise when they get it right. Be kind but firm if someone oversteps the line!
- Make sure to have time off. Having time off work isn't always the same as mentally taking the time to support your child. So if you are worried about cooking Christmas lunch, maybe plan to start the day after Christmas instead.
- In a nutshell: be connected & be prepared! When you have a clear plan and strategies to support your child through all eventualities, you're less likely to find it stressful. Join my last free or full class of 2020 so you can decide to end or start the year without nappies!