Early Days Behaviour

These are some things that you may encounter during the initial days after your child is more or less toilet-trained.

1. Forgetting

This is very common.  Once the child is engrossed in some very interesting activities, the last thing on his mind is going to the potty.  This is why during the initial days, the child cannot wait and wanting to go means wanting to go RIGHT NOW.  This can also mean you will still have to deal with accidents.  Bear in mind that your child is not being naughty.  He just needs to be reminded every now and then to go to the potty.  This is not the situation to mete out punishment.  What you need to do is to remind him to go to the potty regularly.

2. Wanting to Go very frequently

Some kids want to go to the potty every few minutes.  Don't worry.  There is usually nothing wrong with the child and most likely it is not a urinary infection.  When the child is newly toilet trained, he is still grasping the concept of going to the toilet and it could be a novelty.  Once the novelty wears off, he won't be asking to go every 5 minutes.  Do not encourage your child to hold because this is something you will never want to instill.  Just bear with this phase for a while.  It will pass.

However, if your child suddenly asks to go to the toilet very frequently, or experiences pain while passing urine, or is generally unwell, please bring him to the doctor as it could be something more serious.

3. Touching the Genitals

Again, it is normal and nothing to fret about.  Imagine how interesting it is to suddenly have easy access to this very rarely 'seen' body part when the diaper is taken off for good.  It is just a novelty and a phase, so bear with it and it will pass.  Never make a big deal out of it or shame your child.  

4. Potty Strike

Sometimes it just happens.  Just be firm.  Encourage and coax.  Try not to punish because it will just make the situation worse.