There are many delights and joys that come with being a parent, and there are also challenges. Potty training can be one of those challenges. According to the Illinois Cooperative Extension Service, parents often start potty training their child around the age of 2, although the age can differ based on the maturity level and readiness of your child. Potty training your 15-month-old boy can be difficult, but it does not have to be impossible.
Step 1
Determine if your child is ready to be potty trained. Common signs that he is ready include being bothered by a wet or soiled diaper, showing signs of interest in the bathroom and how the potty works, and knowing how to get to the bathroom and pull down his pants.
Step 2
Purchase a small potty seat that your child can use comfortably. Consider taking your child with you while shopping for a potty seat and allowing him to pick it out or purchase stickers and other decorations for it.
Step 3
Introduce the potty to your child, and let him become comfortable with it. Allow him to sit fully clothed on it and read a book, allow him to explore the potty and explain its function and how to use it, and finally allow him to go to the bathroom with daddy and see how it's done.
Step 4
Build your child's excitement and enthusiasm about potty training by switching him from diapers to training pants that he can easily get off and on. At 15 months, also consider allowing him to wear training pants during the day and a diaper at night. Set a schedule, and stick to it. Once he starts wearing training pants during the day, don't allow him to revert back to diapers during the daytime. There will be accidents, but that is all part of the learning process.
Step 5
Encourage your child to urinate in the potty by placing small objects, such as Cheerios or Goldfish crackers, in the potty and having him aim at them. Reward him every time he hits a target. Another great trick is to add a few drops of blue food coloring to the water and explain to your child that when he urinates, he can watch the water change colors.
Step 6
Create a ritual with your child. Take him to the bathroom the same time each day, and suggest he try to go on the potty. Your schedule might include right after he wakes up in the morning, before and after he goes down for a nap, after he drinks any fluids, right before bath and right before bedtime.
Step 7
Prompt your child to go by himself. Once you firmly establish a ritual, begin reminding him to go to the bathroom but reduce the number of times you go with him.
Step 8
Reward your child with big boy underpants. After your child shows some success on the potty, take him to the store and allow him to pick out some big boy underpants. He can choose boxer briefs or briefs with carton characters on them.
Tips and Warnings
- Remember that potty training is not a quick and easy process. It takes time and patience, and there will be setbacks. Do not become discouraged, and always remember to encourage and praise your little man for his successes.
Things You'll Need
- Potty chair
- Training pants
- Big boy underpants
