Potty Training From One Father to Another
5/4/2008 | by Bernie Dorsey
Sometimes time with our kids creeps by, and sometimes it flies. Either way, our children are learning something new every day. Potty training can be one of those “will they ever get there?” or maybe even a “geez, that wasn’t so bad” kind of situation for parents. And just like all of your children’s milestones, Dads have an important role to play in potty training.As Dads, how do we let our kids know we’re there for them on their potty training adventure? Start by sharing in the effort so everyone is working toward the same goal – becoming a Big Kid®. Finding ways to let our kids know we are as invested in the outcome as they are can boost their confidence and motivation as they try to succeed. One of my favorite memories of my son’s potty training was taking him to the store to pick out his own Pull-Ups® training pants. It was one of the first times I had ever seen him give something serious thought. It makes me smile to this day remembering me holding a package in each hand (his request) as he struggled to make the right choice. Once the monumental decision had been made, we headed home to try them out. At the end of the day, I found great joy in coming home to hear the daily potty training update. Even on the days when things didn’t go so well, we still shared the reward chart as a family to see how hard he was trying. For my wife and I, supporting each other on days when we wondered if our son would ever “get” it helped us be patient and consistent with him.
Learning to be a Big Kid® can be hard work, but seeing your child succeed can be one of those golden moments that if you miss, you’ll never recapture. But if you’re there, you’ll never forget.
