Studio June

Preparing Your Child for Different Bathroom Experiences
School bathrooms are different from home - and that’s okay! Here’s how to prepare your child for success in any environment.
School-Specific Skills Your Child Needs:
🔹 Uses different toilets (not just familiar home bathroom)
🔹 Comfortable with regular-sized toilets and step stools
🔹 Can participate in scheduled bathroom breaks
🔹 Handles bathroom routine within reasonable time (5-10 minutes)
🔹 Follows bathroom expectations without adult entertainment
How to Practice:
✅ Visit public restrooms regularly - let go of germaphobia fears
✅ Practice using different toilets at friends’ houses, stores, restaurants
✅ Use a regular toilet with step stool rather than potty chair
✅ Practice timed bathroom breaks: “We’re going to the bathroom before we leave”
✅ Don’t entertain your child while they sit on the toilet
Start Small: Begin with short outings to build confidence, then gradually increase time away from home.
Key Point: Your child needs to learn that bathrooms exist everywhere and they can use them successfully!
Great parenting happens everywhere - including in preparing for new environments! Check out our downloadable School-ready checklist - link in bio

When to consult your pediatrician: If your child is over 3.5 years old and you’ve been
consistent for 3+ weeks with no improvement. 👩‍⚕️ Sometimes there are physical factors to consider.
Trust your instincts as a parent. If you want support and do not need a pediatrician’s help, reach out! We have helped 1000’s of parents on this journey.

The Problem: Your child resists or outright refuses to sit on the toilet during scheduled bathroom breaks.
Why This Happens:
Resistance is normal as your child adjusts to new expectations. For the last 2-3 years, they could release their bladder anywhere - now the rules have changed!
What To Do:
✅ Never force, but maintain expectations
✅ You can help pull underwear down, have their bottom touch the toilet seat, then pull underwear back up
✅ Stay calm and say “maybe next time you will have some urine to push out”
✅ Don’t ask “Do you want to sit on the toilet?” Instead say “It’s time to sit on the toilet”
✅ Be open to the idea that they may join in at any moment
Remember: When your child feels empowered to control their bodily functions, they will be successful.

Verbalize your process: ‘I feel pressure in my bladder. I’m
going to use the toilet now.’

Understand what they’re going through - 3 years of expectations are changing! Use regular toilet with step stool, maintain matter-of-fact tone, keep bathroom breaks regular. Patience is key.