So you’ve just spent the last six months toilet training your child. And they can now use the toilet fairly regularly during the day with few, if any, accidents. But does this mean toilet training is finished? Not really, it seems. You still need to go though a few phases with your child before it is truly over. Here are a few of the next steps when toilet training is finished.
The climbing on the toilet to flush
Exactly as it sounds. Your child is so interested in this new skill of toileting that they insist on closing the lid and climbing up to the flush the toilet, even though they still haven’t the strength to push the button down yet. Don’t worry! You can strategically assist them in the push, and then stand out of the way for them to hop down. A small stool can help in the dismount too.
Come with me
This stage is where your child will come over and whisper to you to come with them to the toilet. If you have company around they may even just use hand gestures and expect you to come follow. They cannot be convinced to start their journey to the toilet without you directly by their side.
Don’t come with me
Your child tells you they need to go the toilet, immediately followed by screaming at you to not follow them (even though the last trip required your immediate company).
Singing in the toilet and kicking the door side to side
This stage has your child singing songs they know, or have just made up, whilst doing their business. While you are required to stand outside and wait for both performances to finish. If the door is close enough, they start kicking this from one foot to the next, or unrolling the toilet paper roll.
Brings pants to you to put back on
Your child may have mastered making it to the toilet on time, but is not yet able to master the finer points of wearing underpants. You are required to help put these back on, plus any other items they needed to take off….like jackets or pants or shoes. (Don’t ask me why a jacket needs to come off. It just does, apparently!)
I can go by myself- followed by request for toilet paper wiping
Yes, your child is trying to be independent in this stage. Until the crucial moment of needing their bottom wiped. Then you are back on the needed list!
Toddler teaching dollies to go to toilet
Of course once you’ve mastered going to the toilet, then all your toys start talking about when they need to go to. You may need to reinforce that toys can only use the potty not the proper toilet if you don’t want any accidental toy drownings.
The distracted days
This is the “I’m holding onto myself, but really don’t want to miss my show unless you physically pick me up and force me to go” stage. I find if you pick them up and plonk them on the toilet is the only sure fire way to get them to go. Otherwise there will be an accident somewhere on the way.
The obsession with farts
Your child may already have know about passing wind and found it amusing, but it is so much funnier when emphasised by the acoustics of the smallest room of the house. when toilet training is finished
Obsession with body parts in toileting
You may find your child obsessed with which parts of the body they use for going to the toilet. It’s important to teach them the correct names of parts, but they will start wanting to use those words in every day conversation.
Hand washing refusal
It is tricky enough getting that going to the toilet sorted. Your child now starts to refuse to wash hands as that’s another huge task! I found using a wipe or the face washer was an easy solution when she was adamant that hand washing was not going to happen too.
Flush it for me as I’m still pulling up my pants.
Now your child likes to pull their pants up (so they don’t get a wedgie) and then go wash hands with the water at the right speed, so flushing becomes a job delegated to you again. when toilet training is finished
The can’t quite wipe bottom yet stage
Oh a fun stage! When your child wants to wipe, but can’t quite manage it themself yet and thus ends up with dirty undies. That if they’re picky like my girl, will insist on changing straight away when they notice it on the next toilet trip. And possibly an itchy bottom. Nappy cream to the rescue!
The public restrooms humiliation
The bane of every parent’s life, I think. Your child will loudly tell everyone within hearing distance what they think you are doing in the public restrooms and questions what certain things might be.
Desperate after bedtime routine trip
This is when your child who still wears nappies (or pull ups) to bed is adamant that they must go to the toilet right this very second. Sometimes it’s a delaying tactic. Other times it’s clear they they are just becoming more attuned to the need to go, and really don’t want it in their fresh new night time pants. when toilet training is finished
Doesn’t need you anymore
Suddenly your child who needed you for every single trip to the bathroom will wake up and just take themselves off to do their business. You will be shocked, but also slightly relieved. Just take note that they might slip back into any other stage though.
Out of bedtime nappies
This is typically the last stage of your toileting journey, and truly when toilet training is finished. Your child has gone several weeks with no wet nappies and is able to go just before bed and upon rising in the morning, and you are willing to let them try sleeping in undies. Of course I used our Slumber Dry mat on her bed, just in case of occasional accidents, but it’s been pretty good so far (which is great for when she pops into our bed).
How is your post toilet training journey going? Comment below with the stages you had. when toilet training is finished
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