Children’s Medical Center Dallas doctor pooh poohs parents who attempt potty training in just one day

by Staff of Children's Medical Center

DALLAS — The “Potty Whisperer’s” potty-train-in-a-day promises may seem like a gift from the porcelain gods. But, does her day-long “booty camp” set realistic expectations for most parents? Dr. Pete Stavinoha, a child psychologist at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, says it’s not unheard of for a child who’s ready to potty train in a day or a weekend, but it’s hardly the rule.

“With the hectic pace of most families, it can be difficult for parents to follow through with such an intensive approach,” says Pete Stavinoha, a child neuropsychologist at Children’s Medical Center Dallas, an associate professor of psychiatry at UT Southwestern Medical Center, and the co-author of Stress-Free Potty Training, A Commonsense Guide to Finding the Right Approach for Your Child. “Demanding success in a day – even if you outsource this important parenting task – may set up you and your child for unnecessary power struggles, frustration and failure.”

Instead of one day of high-pressure training, Dr. Stavinoha recommends taking a more relaxed approach to potty training, while taking cues from your child’s personality. “Parents seem to feel the need to have their child accomplish potty training in a very short amount of time. The reality is that most kids acquire potty skills over a period of time, and reading your individual child’s characteristics and cues can make this rite of passage painless for both child and parent.”

In his book, Dr. Stavinoha identifies five distinct personality types – the sensory-oriented child, the internalizing child, the goal-directed child, the strong-willed child and the impulsive child - and offers practical tips for training each of those kids differently.

“Once you learn how to work with your child’s temperament, potty training, and really parenting your child throughout his life, will make more sense,” says Dr. Stavinoha. “The most important thing for parents to remember is that every child will potty train when he or she is ready, and that means physically, cognitively and emotionally.”

Still, some parents worry when their child hasn’t mastered this developmental milestone by a certain age. So, for those parents who are considering buying stock in Pampers?

“It’ll happen. Honestly, there are very few people walking around at 18-years-old who aren’t potty trained.” says Dr. Stavinoha with a chuckle. “Once your child is ready, as long as you are paying attention she’ll let you know – in her own unique way - and that’s when you get started again.”