How to Toilet Train Your Child in 24 Hours

Potty training is an important step in every child's life, a major milestone in life for both the parent and the child. You might want to potty train your child to get her ready for school. You also might want to begin the process because you notice the developmental signs that she is ready for toilet training, such as seeing her signaling that her diaper is wet or telling you that she feels she has to go to the bathroom. Either way, if she has the ability to follow instructions, you can successfully potty train her in less than 24 hours with the proper techniques.

Things You'll Need

• Training pants or children's underpants

Show More

Instructions

• 1

  Talk to your child. Although she is still quite young -- the American Academy of Pediatrics suggests a child be about 2 years old to potty train -- you can talk to her and explain that you are going to be teaching her how to go to the bathroom on her own. Tell her she is going to be a "big girl" and let her know how proud you are that she is taking this step. Showing praise and support to the child will encourage her and motivate her to try her hardest.

• 2

  Give your child plenty of fluids to drink when she wakes up in the morning. The more she drinks, the faster she is going to have to use the bathroom and the quicker you can get started potty training.

• 3

  Shop for and purchase a new potty chair or other treats to celebrate this day. You also should get at least a few pairs of training pants or regular children's underpants to prepare her for potty training. This also helps make it a more special day when you take her shopping to get her something new.

• 4

  Watch for the signs or urges of your child needing to go to the bathroom during the day, rather than expecting her to notice herself every time. When you recognize these urges -- see her grabbing at her pants, walking in place or wiggling around -- tell her to go to the bathroom. Even if she does not end up tinkling, chances are good that she will in some instances if you keep trying.

• 5

  Congratulate and praise her each time she makes any progress through the day. The more love and support you show your child during the process, the more interested it makes her and the more satisfaction she gets from it. Dr. Phil suggests throwing the child a "potty party" when she successfully uses the potty, even just after the first time, to celebrate and show her how thrilled you are of her accomplishment.