The Dangers of Potty Training

By Caitlin Bootsma
Consultant to the VIRTUS^® Programs

For many parents and caregivers, "potty training" can be a frustrating developmental period. Perhaps your child learned to use the toilet without much fuss, but for many children, potty training can be a "two-steps forward, one-step back" sort of process as well as a battle of the wills with their parents.

It may or may not surprise you then to learn that the American Academy of Pediatricians (AAP) report that more abuse happens during potty training than any other circumstances in childhood. This is certainly a sobering reminder-whether you are working with a child or a developmentally delayed adult-to keep calm and seek out what method of training will work best for the person you are training.

Here are just a few scenarios that the AAP says you should look out for when you are potty training. If you find you are practicing any of these behaviors, it could be time to take a step back and reevaluate:

• Pushing potty training before a child is ready: It's easy for caregivers to have expectations about when a child is ready to use the potty. For better or worse, however, each child is different and cannot be forced to learn.
• Explosive anger or frustration: While it's natural to be upset by accidents or a perceived lack of cooperation, responding with disproportionate anger has been known to lead to psychological trauma.
• Physical punishments: Relying on physical reprimands for failing to use the toilet successfully is a situation that can easily get out of hand, leading to potential abuse. 

There are many legitimate ways and times to potty train and the purpose of this article is not to recommend one over the other. Rather, just keep in mind that this is often a trying process for parents or caregivers-often, much more than they expect it to be. It's extremely important to prepare ahead of time with strategies of how to exhibit patience and encouragement to those being potty trained, rather than attitudes of anger and shaming.

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