Myth 4 (and I saved the best for last!): You should put the potty chair out
before you start training so your child can get used to it.
So false my head might blow off. I’m sure you’ve at least heard this,
if you’re not in fact already doing it. I applaud you for not sneaking
up on your child and freaking them out, but please read on with a
dash of common sense. The small potty chair was invented to be a
less scary version of the big porcelain bowl. The toilet is indeed scary
to a little kid. The size is scary, the flushing is overwhelming, and
your child’s butt is way too small for the seat. So some brilliant
person invented a small pot that is just right!
Now I want to ask you a couple of questions. First, look around
your house and pay close attention to baby items: highchair, stroller,
bouncy chair, and talking toys. I’m willing to bet that the small potty
chair is the most innocuous piece of plastic in your house! Did you
put the highchair out for your child to get used to it? No, you
probably put it together and put her in it and took your first shower
in weeks. Did you put your child in the highchair to “practice”? No,
you probably put him in it to eat. And when he was done eating, you
probably took him right out. Did you leave your stroller in the middle
of the living room so she could get used to it? No, you strapped her in
and went for a walk. Think about it!
Now another question. Would you let your child play around your
toilet and bathroom to get used to it? Would you let your child throw
things in the toilet? No, it’s for one purpose only: pooping and