What to do if the child is afraid to sit on the potty

Useful skills are formed for each person individually. The child must emotionally grow to the pot. This usually occurs between the ages of 1.2 - 2 years. In an earlier period, the baby perceives the pot as another toy. He is interested in looking at it, feeling it, turning it over and doing a lot of other cognitive things, but just not using it for its intended purpose. Try not to force things, let the child himself understand the purpose of the object, gently guiding it in the right direction. If the child is afraid of the pot, then you need to look for reasons.

The most common fears

Periodically, the baby begins to be capricious for no apparent reason, such behavior can mean another period of growing up. But when he systematically refuses to perform certain actions, it is necessary to analyze the situation and find the reasons for the refusal. Such a useful skill as using a pot is definitely needed. The kid will perfectly master it when the time comes. But there are situations when a simple action causes a sharp, at first glance unreasonable protest. What's happening? How to respond and what measures to take? First of all, you need to approach the issue calmly. Mother and child are closely connected emotionally, so you can unintentionally fix a negative coloration in relation to the pot with your excitement. There may be several reasons for refusing to use the necessary item:

• the child is not mentally ready for the conscious use of the subject;
• persistent desire of adults will certainly put the baby on the potty;
• scares an unfamiliar object;
• parents scolded for wet pants and forced to sit on a pot as a punishment;
• children's fantasies about terrible inhabitants in the depths of the "night vase";
• the pot is uncomfortable, cold, wet.

Adults should be discerning, as identifying the cause is more like playing a hot-cold game. Sometimes you have to act by exclusion.

The search for truth

Unobtrusive observation of the baby gives good results. During the game, he reproduces life situations that have happened to him, adults can only decipher the information. Some reasons can be eliminated quite easily, something will have to be patiently worked on. First of all, it is worth excluding the age-related cause, then walk over the possible fears that the child invented for himself. Be sure to exclude the physiological inconvenience associated with constipation and painful bowel movements. So, we begin to systematically analyze the reasons for the reluctance of the baby to sit on the pot.

If the baby simply "has not grown" to this important matter, then do not rush it. Set aside the idea for a while, at the same time gently explaining the principle of operation of the unit, its need and usefulness in a playful way. The same technique will help to overcome fear of an unfamiliar object or dispel fantasies about the terrible inhabitant of the pot. Such phobias are removed quite simply, it is enough to immediately respond to the child’s requests for help and not be lazy for the thirtieth time to calmly examine with him the subject of his concern.

For shy children, fairy tale therapy has a wonderful effect. It is worthwhile to come up with several stories where the main characters will be a small animal and, of course, a pot. Tales should be short, with a good ending. Playing situations with toys will clearly show the safety and usefulness of using the item.

I don’t even want to talk about the teaching technique when sitting on the potty is a punishment.Such "educators" would like to wish a good handful of common sense and at least a little love for the baby.

Separately, it is worth mentioning the situation when the child sincerely does not understand why all the fuss with going to a certain place, when it is so comfortable in the diaper. Mom will change in time, wash and no problems. Some parents resort to radical visual measures. The adult himself sits on the toilet, talks about the fact that now the pants remained dry, the tummy doesn’t hurt, only the little diapers are needed, "and he’s already so big and brave." The grandmother from the cartoon "" About Vera and Anfisa "prompted a brilliant exit. The monkey put a pot on her head, and the wise woman gave her a second, which was used for its intended purpose. And let a two-pot miracle temporarily settle in the room, but the first step will be taken.

Equally important is the space reserved for the toilet. The reason for the child's refusal may be an uncomfortable position of the subject, too open a place, a draft. Give him the opportunity to choose a convenient corner and remove your close attention. If the procedure was successful, be sure to praise the baby!

Some children may not like the material the pot is made of. Someone does not like spiky woolen mittens or slippery silk dress, while someone does not like a cold plastic pot. Now we are not talking about the benefits and hygiene of the subject. Status is defined in one word - unpleasant. How to be Try to offer your child a wooden chair with a removable pot. A warm tree and a beautiful view can play a positive role.

If the reason for the abandonment of the pot was unpleasant memories, then the subject is clearly subject to release. Release the situation, do not insist, remove all reminders of the failed experiment. And then try to choose a purchase with your child, go around the store, calmly discuss the models and their advantages, at least at the “like - don't like” level. And then solemnly place the pot in the room, let the baby do it himself, as he wants.

It is very important to exclude the physiological cause of the pot’s fear. Psychological constipation often causes pain when trying to empty the intestines. Then come to the rescue:

• micro enema;
• massage;
• diet;
• exercises and active games.

Five steps to success

Each child is unique, so you do not need to drive him into a tight time frame. The moment will come when he himself will show interest in mastering new skills. Parents will only have to help a little, suggest or along with him to go this way to a positive result. A few simple tips will help parents successfully accustom their child to the potty.

1. Calm, only calm! All manipulations are carried out at ease, without the slightest trace of negative emotions.
2. Convenience in everything: location, furnishings, pot material.
3. Personal interest of the baby. Be generous in praise, cheer on your child, express approval and admiration for his skills.
4. Turn a potty trip into a game, a fun adventure that happens at a specific time.
5. Be delicate! The child, despite his age, is already being formed as a person, show respect for him.

Most of the problems arise due to an oversight of adults, their desire to do everything as quickly and better as possible. It is worth remembering that the baby lives in its own rhythm, only begins to comprehend this mysterious and such a big world. Help him, give positive emotions, be wise and patient. A calm benevolent attitude, a slight irony of failure, a gentle direction in the right direction and coordinated actions of all family members will certainly lead to success.

Video: how to teach a child to potty