Summer’s Great For Naked Potty Training

By Sara Bridget Au

Author of “Stress-Free Potty Training” AMACOM Books, June 2008

Nakedtime is a great way to begin potty-training, and summer is the perfect time to try it. Basically, the idea is that you allow your children to simply be naked, but in fairly close proximity to a bathroom or potty chair, for periods of time, during which (we hope) they will need to go. To your child, it’s tons of fun, and perhaps something s/he hasn’t been able to do before. To you, it’s a fantastic teaching tool.

Nakedtime is non-threatening and passive; when you start you don’t even have to mention that it has anything to do with going potty.

With no clothes on, kids have, for the first time, a clear view of the physical mechanics of urination and defecation.

You can provide immediate explanations of what’s happening; breaking down the process into simple, specific behaviors your child can learn one at a time.

Because there is nothing to pull down or take off, the focus is on the primary goal – getting the pee-pee into the potty.

Parents, too, will have a clear view of their child’s body language, and can more closely read the signs of impending elimination.

Without the barrier of a diaper between your child and the toilet, results can come quickly.

Safety during nakedtime in the backyard is paramount. Make sure your child wears sandals, water shoes or something easily cleanable. Sunscreen is a must; try a too-small t-shirt to shade her torso, but keep the lower-half easily accessible. (A long t-shirt may get in the way and become wet.) In addition, avoid any parts of the yard like a mulched area or a hot slide that could harm his bare behind.

At first, when your son or daughter pees, you’ll probably have to point it out – s/he may not even notice it is happening until they feel it start to trickle down their legs. Most likely, they will not be able to stop mid-stream. Recognize this and talk them through it.

Mom: Oh, look, honey, I think you’re going pee-pee.

Child (upset): Mommy!!

Mom: That’s ok. Look, we can clean you up real quick. You know, if that happens again we can run very fast to the bathroom and you can go in there just like I do.

Many children will be distressed by the pee-pee running down their legs at first, and you should react with calming words. If your child hasn’t yet tried to sit on the toilet, now is a good time to broach the subject, but do not unexpectedly put them on there while they are already dealing with the stress of their first accident. [Don’t ever force a child to sit on the toilet, or you’ll set yourself up for a major power struggle.] Offer the option of trying it then. If your child recoils from the suggestion, respond in the same calm voice, “That’s ok, maybe you’ll want to next time.”

It may take a number of accidents before they get their pee, even just some of it, into the potty, but once they do, you have a success on which to build. Concentrate on helping them to realize their body’s signals during nakedtime.

Outside of nakedtime, you can continue to keep your child in diapers until you feel like they’re making some headway. Once you introduce underwear, the focus of training will become more about holding it for longer periods of time and trying to go even when they may not feel like it.

Grey box: Stress-Free Potty Training, by East Orlando mom Sara Au, is available in bookstores and online this month. Find out more at www.StressFreePottyTraining.com.