Potty Training: At What Cost?

We’re confused: people train puppies not kids, correct?  When we read the tag lines for children’s potty products and services, it’s all about training.  While we understand the frustration that comes from dirty diapers and wet underwear, there’s a disconnect between the rigidity of training and the magic of play. So we asked ourselves, “Why aren’t kids playing their way to the potty?”  When parents and kids have fun together, rockin’ their way to and from the potty, laughter grows, joy overflows, and those “stinky” parenting moments get just a little bit easier (and certainly more relaxing).

Speaking about the new job title of “professional potty trainers,” let’s give credit where credit is really due: To Parents. There’s a good chance said parents have been rocking the potty successfully for (at least) a couple decades now. Can I get a flush, flush!?! Every parent is a professional at empowering their kiddos; in fact, they are the ones who know their kids best. We would all love a magic fairy to appear and whisk away stinky moments in life, but no one wants to miss the laughter in some good ole potty humor. So when we think about parents missing out on all the fun, we almost wet our pants.

Nicole and I both have Ph.D.’s in Early Childhood Education. We’ve helped more little stinkers rock the potty than we can count. We’ve studied, studied, studied, conducted research, crunched numbers, published papers, and written children’s books, but nothing comes close to making life fulfilling like PLAYING and LOVING and RESPECTING kids! Leaving our jobs as professors was bittersweet, but we did so to foster more joy and laughter in families without having to break the bank. Enter: THE POTTY ROCKER™.

The price tag to roll with The Potty Rocker™ comes at a cost: Quality family time spent together. Our mission (beyond total world bathroom domination) is to bring support, resources, and laughter to families during stereotypically “stinky” parenting moments – without costing parents their annual water bill (likely higher because of all that awesome potty rockin’ your kiddo will be doing). We are creating a community of parents who think their kids rock and who want to enjoy these moments that can’t be relived with them.

So as we look back over the Professional Potty Trainer’s 5 Best Pieces of Advice, we want to roll out some of our own tried and true advice for those of you stuck in between soggy diapers and futile attempts to race to the potty with your little stinkers by yourselves:  

1.      PLAY your way to, on, and from the potty! Create a fun cha-cha to get your little stinker to the potty quickly and smiling. Jam out a fun song while chillin’ on the porcelain. Rock your way from flush to clean hands with smiles and high-fives. Get silly – it’s fun for your kiddo and you (if you need ideas, we bring a lot to our website and blog on a regular basis…and yes, it’s free).

2.      CHILLAX. Potty “training” can feel like walking a mile in wet undies. Give yourself permission to cut loose. Your kid isn’t going to be a junior in High School meeting you in the parking lot between classes for a diaper change. Revel in that for a second.

3.      DITCH PERFECTION. We’re gonna let you in on a little secret: No family is perfect. There isn’t one right way to get your kiddo rocking the potty. What worked for the Jones’ down the street isn’t gonna work for your little one. Don’t feel like you have to live up to anyone else’s 8-hour-potty-training-success guide. You know your kiddo best. Use those strengths. Oh, and just so you know, accidents happen. It’s okay if you have one too.

4.      BE PRESENT. Toddlers are hilarious--their little mouths have no filter and they're always up to something brilliant! It's tragic when the stress of “training up” children keeps parents from being fully present in the hysterical moments of toddlerhood.

5.      LAUGH. There’s a long, researched-based list of the benefits of laughter. Physically, it boosts immunity, lowers stress, decreases pain, relaxes muscles and prevents heart disease. Mentally, it grows joy, eases anxiety and fear, relieves stress, and enhances resilience. Socially, it strengthens relationships, enhances teamwork, helps diffuse conflict, and promotes (in this case) family bonding. While your little one is sitting on the toilet, imagine it’s your porcelain ball and look into its goodness for something to laugh about. You and your kiddos will be healthier, happier, and feel more loved by doing so. 

We align all this advice around everything we offer at The Potty Rocker™. While we may be in the “pull-ups” phase of launching our company, we’re veterans at rocking the potty. We’d be honored to have you join our community as we embark on a hysterical journey to turn training into rip-roaring play! If you’re looking to empower your kids, laugh your way to the potty, and cut loose from the pressure to achieve potty perfection in a matter of hours, join us. Just like your little one, The Potty Rocker™ is a work in progress and we want your family to help him grow. Sure, it’d be nice if super nanny came to the rescue in all these stinky moments, but it’s awesome to be present for all the flushes. It might feel like you’re wading through pooh now, but when you look back, you’ll be glad you were the one rollin’ with your kiddo!

Interested Potty Rockers can roll with us on Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, and all our other social media dives can be found on our website.

NOTE: If you want the fancy, shmancy literature review that outlines all the research showing that 1) parents know their kids best; 2) kids are happiest when they’re in positive learning environments; and 3) kids learn best through play, we’re happy to whip that up for you too. In the meantime, cut loose and play your way through this time with your little one!