Potty Training
Make sure that you, as a parent, are emotionally and physically ready for potty training before starting with your child, even if your child seems to be ready and you are not. This way you can make sure that it is a top and consistent priority for your child instead of something you just work on with him or her from time-to-time.

Try to begin potty training at a time that is free from distractions, such as house guests, holidays, moving, and family vacations. Make sure that you, as a parent, are not pre-occupied with other major projects at the same time if at all possible.

Avoid using negative terms around your child. Using terms such as "dirty" or "stinky" to describe bowel movements, or acting disgusted with your child, may help the child to become self-conscious and feel ashamed.

Try to tell your child the advantages of being potty trained, such as the end of diaper changes (and diaper rash), and the happy feeling of being clean and dry. Also, it may be a good idea to let your child know that this is an important stage of growing up.

You may wish to show your child videos or DVDs or books about learning to use the toilet, so that your child may see other children using the potty.

If your child has a favorite action figure or doll, it may be a good idea to place the toy on the toilet and tell your child that it is "going pee-pee" or something to that effect. If your child has a stuffed bear, you may wish to diaper it and then announce to your child that it is graduating to underwear.

If you wish to give your child a prize for using the toilet, you may wish to give small rewards such as stickers, and keep a chart for the stickers, with the promise of a bigger reward once a certain number of stickers have been given. However, you will also want to phase out the rewards gradually, as a child may come to expect they will always get a reward for using the toilet if you go this route.

Don't expect your child to climb on the toilet and that they will start using it instantly. If your child is unable to produce a bowel movement or urinate after a few minutes (between two and four minutes), try again at a later time. Also, if your child protests, don't push him or her to continue at that time.

If your child has an "accident," change their underwear quickly, so that they do not become comfortable with the feeling of being soiled.

If your child has successfully used the toilet, encourage them to wipe the seat afterwards and to lower the toilet lid before flushing to keep the spread of germs to a minimum. But, at the same time, if they have used it successfully and have forgotten to do these items, do not scold the child and try to focus on the positive, so that your child also feels the sense of accomplishment.

You may encounter some "false starts" when you begin potty training. Your child may see their friends on the potty or wearing underwear and decide they want to begin, only to decide they don't want to after having an "accident" or two. Try not to let this discourage you, as it will only be a slight setback. Your child will continue to be encouraged to potty train the more they see their friends doing it, and with a little encouragement from Mom and Dad, should be ready to try again.