If your little one is about to start pre-school or even school and they are not potty trained or accident free you may be having a bit of a panic. If it helps, most of us have felt that way just before they start.
It is also worth knowing that at some point most of us have had to take home a bag of wet clothes at the end of a pre-school session. And yes, you will quite possibly be taking home wet clothes during their first year at school too.
Some days I have had to take home more than one bag too! Lucky me!
So accidents are perfectly normal. You also want to make sure your child is potty trained when they are ready, however you also need to make sure your child is potty trained before they start school. You want your child to go to school full of confidence and enjoy their time at school, not be worrying about going to the toilet or not. Their time at pre-school helps them get ready for big school.
Pre-School
Start, by finding out if the pre-school your child will be going to, expects the children to be potty trained. Quite often children will start at a pre-school or nursery when they are very young and so most places will allow children to wear nappies or pull ups at pre-school when they start.
Is Your Child Ready To Be Potty Trained?
At some point your child will be ready for potty training and trust me, it will be before they take their GCSEs. Although in dark moments and a washing machine full of pants you may not think they will get there, trust me, they will.
Look for these signs:
• Can they stay dry for longer than before?
• Can they pull down their trousers and pants?
• Do they seem bothered when they have used their nappy?
• Do they seem to be interested in others using the potty or toilet?
• Are they happy to sit on the toilet and potty?
If you don’t think your child is quite ready, have a chat with the pre-school staff.
The staff will be used to dealing with accidents and will be reminding children to go to the toilet. They will also have times in the day when all of the children will use the toilet, maybe before they go out and play or do an activity.
If your little one isn’t potty trained be prepared that they may ask for them to be in pull ups while they are at pre-school.
Still Having Accidents?
If your child has started potty training but still has accidents also speak with the staff. They will then make sure they keep an eye on them and remind them to use the toilet if they need it.
Definitely make sure you dress them in clothes that they find are easy to take on and off. Elasticated waists and no tights – they are far too tricky to get down when you are in a rush!
You will also need to pack a couple of changes of clothes for just in case because there will always be a time when what they are playing with will be more interesting than going to the toilet.
And above all, don’t panic about potty training. Eventually your little one will be potty trained and ready to start their time at big school.
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