at home with Jo Frost - October 2012 - (Page 157)

‘I need a wee, Potty training can seem daunting, but with a bit of guidance, he’ll be dry in no time | SLUG| MUMMY!’ ake sure your little one is ready to use a potty – for most, that will be between 18 months and two years though some children won’t master it until they’re four (see Is He Ready? right). Also, girls tend to be ready earlier than boys. M Here are some signs to look for PHYSICAL SIGNS He has regular, formed poos at relatively predictable times, and he doesn’t poo during the night. ● He has dry periods of at least one or two hours, or wakes up with a dry nappy after a nap. This shows that his bladder muscles are developed. ● He can pull his pants up and down with only a little help. ● He shows an interest when you go to the bathroom. ● IS HE READY? TAKE IT SLOWLY Jo says... Some toddlers master the technique in a few days but don’t push it if your little one is ﬁnding it difﬁcult. Encourage but don’t be too hard on him if he is taking longer than you hoped. It will come in time. HAVE A PLAN Before you start, think through what you will do about accidents, what incentives you want to use, when to take a step back, and so on. Once you’ve made up your mind, stick to this plan and make sure everyone who looks after your toddler knows about it, too, so training is consistent. EMOTIONAL SIGNS He can understand and follow simple instructions and requests, such as ‘Do you need a wee?’ or ‘Where’s the potty?’ ● He has words for wee and poo. ● ‘The golden rule when it comes to potty training is to noticie the signs. When your toddler is dry after a little sleep, it means he might be ready. Follow through and stick with it. Do not quit.’ PRAISE HIM You need to encourage him by giving him praise whenever he does well, even if he tries to get to the potty but doesn’t quite make it. Don’t go overboard with the praise though as he will be worried if he doesn’t do quite so well one day. ACCIDENTS HAPPEN There will be accidents – he is learning a new skill and his muscles are not quite up to holding it in yet, so don’t get stressed about it. Clean him up and suggest the next time he uses the potty instead. ✱ WORDS: Geogina Maric | PHOTOGRAPH: Getty Images Potty training must-haves PIRATE PETE’S POTTY £6.99, Ladybird.co.uk POURTY POTTY £9.99, Safetots.co.uk DRY LIKE ME, 18 TOILET TRAINING PADS £9.60 for four packs, Amazon.co.uk www.athomemagazine.co.uk OCTOBER 2012 | 157 http://Ladybird.co.uk http://Amazon.co.uk http://Safetots.co.uk http://www.athomemagazine.co.uk

Table of Contents for the Digital Edition of at home with Jo Frost - October 2012

EDITOR’S LETTER
JO’S HELLO
WHAT’S NEW IN PARENTING?
OCTOBER OUTINGS
SCRUB A DUB DUB
WHERE THE WILD THINGS ARE
NICE WHEELS
FAMOUS MUMS
JO FROST ON THE GO
THE NAUGHTY CORNER
ADULT CLASSES
THE BIG C
YUMMY MUMMY
GET THE LOOK
PUSHY MOTHERS
TOPS ON TREND
MAKE-UP MAGIC
MOTHER WEAR
BABY BUMP BLISS
FIRST-TIME WORRIES
STARTING OUT
ON-THE-MOVE
SIGN UP
MILK TIME
SLEEP EASY
CRY BABY
WHAT’S THAT RASH?
MORE PLEASE
BABY STEPS
JOIN THE GREEN TEAM
COUNTRY COOL
PRE-SCHOOL LEARNING
BUDDING BOOKWORM
AN ITCH TO SCRATCH
‘I’M NOT HUNGRY’
GOING POTTY
BRITAIN’S GOT TALENT
LIVING WITH AUTISM
OPEN WIDE
THE COLD WAR
LET MUMMY KISS IT BETTER
PANIC STATIONS
A CLEAN SWEEP
PROJECT RUNWAY
ORGANISE THIS
TIME FOR BIG SCHOOL
ALL KITTED OUT
WHERE DO BABIES COME FROM?
‘I HATE YOU!’
TWEEN HEALTH
EAT WELL
TRICK OR TREAT
THE GHOST WITH THE MOST
LET’S BAKE
BABY BUDGET
WHAT KIND OF PARENT ARE YOU?
GIVE A CHILD A HOME
FAMILY MEN
GIRL POWER
DAY TRIPPER
GET PACKING
WHY PETS ARE BEST
COMING SOON
STORY CORNER
COUNT TO 10
PEARLS OF WISDOM
QUESTION TIME
KODAK MOMENTS
SURF’S UP
SOUND BITES
STOCKISTS

at home with Jo Frost - October 2012