Oh Crap! Potty Training

harbor this secret fantasy that once the potty is out, their child will
use it correctly. They haven’t yet really committed to the process of
potty training.
Once again, using the potty is a skill that must be learned, just
like any other skill your child has learned. I’ll repeat what I said in
chapter 1: children learn by repetition. Therefore, if you put the pot
out, you should be ready to teach your child consistently to use it.
I see all kinds of mixed messages and lack of consistency in
parents “trying” to potty train.
I’ll quote Yoda for the gratuitous Star Wars reference: “Do or do
not. There is no try.” Direct quote from the wise green guy.
This goes right along with my theory of “kinda potty training.” Or
“trying” to potty train. You either are potty training or you are not.
Trying does not enter the equation. If you are “trying,” you are giving
yourself an out. I often think about it in terms of smoking. A smoker
trying to quit is still a smoker. They allow themselves to smoke in a
moment of stress or when it gets too hard. A smoker who quits no
longer smokes, regardless of the situation he might find himself in.
Are you “trying” to potty train in order to give yourself an out?
Why? Convenience? Or fear of failing? Not doing it right?
Have confidence in yourself and have faith in your kid. You both
can do this, quickly, gently, and effectively.
Do or do not. There is no trying.
When you are “trying” to potty train, it often looks like this: You
ask your child to pee on the potty, yet you turn around and put a
diaper on him if it better suits the needs of your day. You ask your
child to tell you when he has to pee but ask him to wait a minute
while you finish whatever it is you’re doing. You put the potty out so