Skip to main content

Potty Training: Two Parenting Styles in Taking Care of Business

Potty Training starts  - image via Firefly AI
                                             
Potty training can be approached in various ways, and both Adlerian parenting (often associated with Positive Parenting) and Attachment parenting offer philosophies and techniques that parents may find helpful. Let's break down each approach:

Adlerian Parenting (Positive Parenting):

Philosophy: Adlerian parenting focuses on understanding the child's perspective, fostering a sense of belonging and significance, and encouraging cooperation rather than coercion or punishment.

Techniques:

Encouragement: Positive reinforcement is a key aspect. Instead of focusing on punishment for accidents, parents emphasize praise and encouragement for successes.

Routine and Consistency: Establishing a consistent routine around bathroom breaks and praising the child for following it helps create habits.

Involvement: Involving the child in the process, from choosing their potty to celebrating milestones, fosters a sense of ownership and responsibility.

Books by Adlerians:  Adlerian approaches to potty training, are likely referred to in Jane Nelson's "Positive Discipline," which offers insights into how Adlerian principles can be applied to various aspects of parenting. 

Pros:

Focuses on building the child's self-esteem and sense of competence.

Emphasizes positive reinforcement rather than punishment.

Encourages cooperation and mutual respect between parent and child.

Cons:

Requires patience and consistency from parents.

May take longer for some children to fully grasp the concept without the use of stricter methods.

Attachment Parenting:

Philosophy: Attachment parenting emphasizes creating strong emotional bonds between parent and child, meeting the child's needs with sensitivity and responsiveness.

Techniques:

Baby-Led Approach: Parents often wait for signs of readiness from the child before starting potty training.

Closeness and Connection: Maintaining close physical and emotional proximity during the process helps the child feel secure.

Gentle Guidance: Instead of pressure or coercion, parents gently guide the child through the process, respecting their pace and preferences.

Books by Attachment Parenting Advocates: Authors like Dr. William Sears, who wrote "The Attachment Parenting Book," offer guidance on various aspects of attachment parenting, though not exclusively focused on potty training.

Pros:

Prioritizes the emotional well-being of the child.

Supports a gentle and responsive approach to meeting the child's needs.

Can strengthen the parent-child bond through shared experiences.

Cons:

May take longer for some children to independently master potty training.

Requires a high level of parental involvement and responsiveness, which can be challenging for some families.

Parental Perspectives:

Adlerian Parenting:

Pros: Parents often appreciate the emphasis on building their child's confidence and cooperation. Many find that the positive reinforcement approach fosters a healthier parent-child relationship.

Cons: Some parents may find it challenging to maintain consistency and patience, especially if their child takes longer to grasp the concept.

Attachment Parenting:

Pros: Parents value the emphasis on emotional connection and responsiveness, which can strengthen the bond with their child. Many find that the gentle approach aligns well with their parenting values.

Cons: Some parents may find it difficult to balance their child's emotional needs with practical considerations, such as time constraints or social expectations regarding potty training readiness.

In summary, both Adlerian parenting and Attachment parenting offer valuable approaches to potty training, each with its own strengths and challenges. Ultimately, the effectiveness of either method may vary depending on the child's temperament, the family's dynamics, and the parent's ability to implement the techniques consistently and compassionately.


Comments

Current TOP of the POPS

Spunky Monkey DIY Vegan Chocolate-Chia Ice Cream

Vegan, plant-based, and 100% delicious! This creamy homemade ice cream will win over everyone— no politics, just pure joy. Vegan and Delicious: Everyone Will Love This! Sometimes the word "vegan" evokes strong feelings like anxiety (as in "Please don't take away my meat") and/or hostility (as in "What a bunch of commie flakes all vegans are"). There are probably good reasons for both of these passionate emotions because we frequently come across strident, fear-mongering diatribes online blasting us from the ivory towers of the most raging animal-freedom activist or the highly evangelistic plant-based health advocate. "Plant-based" is an alternate description for a lifestyle choice to eat from the array of fruit, greens, vegetables, nuts, and seeds. Using the term "plant-based" instead of "vegan" may be less intimidating. It even sounds like, although the diet has a plant-based foundation, it possibly includes meat and eggs...

Melissa Hortman: A Legacy of Courage and Coalition

Melissa Hortman (2023- Wikipedia) Minnesota’s political landscape is mourning the loss of Melissa Hortman , a fiercely principled leader, who was tragically killed alongside her husband, Mark, in a targeted shooting. Authorities believe the attack was politically motivated , perpetrated by an individual known for extremist views opposing the very policies Hortman championed¹. A Voice of Unwavering Conviction Melissa Hortman made her mark as Speaker of the Minnesota House of Representatives (2019–2025)  and as DFL Caucus Leader. She built a reputation as a formidable negotiator, coalition-builder, and legislative powerhouse , deeply respected across party lines². Her leadership saw Minnesota pass some of its most transformative legislation: *  Paid family and medical leave , which she described as her proudest legislative achievement³. * Free school lunches  for all students³. * Expanded abortion and transgender rights , a bold stand in a polarized climate⁴. * Recreational...

G7 2025: Why It Matters

  57th G7 Summit- Wikipedia commons. What is the G7? 🤝 The Group of Seven (G7) is a forum of seven wealthy, democratic nations: Canada, the United States, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Italy, and Japan, along with the European Union . It started in 1975 as the G6 to coordinate responses to global economic shocks like inflation and oil shortages. Canada joined in 1976 to form the G7(1). Russia was briefly part of the group (making it the G8), but was expelled in 2014 after invading Crimea (2). How Does It Work? The G7 is informal — there’s no permanent office, headquarters, or constitution . One country hosts the summit each year and sets the agenda. Leadership rotates annually among the member countries in a fixed order (3). The summit itself is usually a 3-day event where world leaders meet in private for discussions, photo ops, and joint statements (although this year’s format is changing — more on that later). What’s the Point? The G7’s original mission was to tackl...