by Lisa Doherty

Created on: June 16, 2009   Last Updated: June 17, 2009

Watching your toddler squirm, shifting the weight from foot to foot, can only mean that a potty trip is imminent. But, what do you do when you are in the middle of the grocery checkout line? Taking a child who is in training out in public, doesn't need to be frightening or frustrating for either child or parent, and here are a few tips to help you on your way.

BREVITY: The first few times you take your child out, keep the reminders coming and the trip short. Reinforcing the need for him or her to tell you if they need to go, will keep it in the forefront of their minds, but you need to make sure that your trip does not exceed their stay dry limit. Most children can stay dry for up to 2 hours during the training phase, so limit how far you are going and the length of the stay, if possible.

REMINDERS: Around the ages of 2-3, children only have an attention span of about 3 minutes. If you are out in public, it is perfectly acceptable and advisable to keep the reminders coming. This will keep them focused on their bodies' signals and reinforce what you want, namely that they recognize the signals of needing to go and then telling you in time.

POTTY BREAKS: Even if your child does not have to go right at that moment, if he or she has not gone in about an hour, I would take them to the bathroom and encourage them to try. Many times they will realize that they did have to go and you have just bought yourself another hour if necessary. Make sure to praise, praise, praise if that happens because the desired behavior did occur where it needed to, even if they did not initiate it.

EMERGENCIES: If you find yourself in a position, like the one described in the first sentence, get out of line immediately. Very little should supercede the potty. Apologize if it inconveniences anyone, but keep reminding yourself that most everyone has found him or herself in that position at one time or another and very likely you'll just get a knowing smile or a remark that states, I remember those days! Many times you'll even get a wistful smile from those around you as they reminisce about the days when they had babies.

ACCIDENTS: If the unthinkable occurs, don't panic. Hopefully you will have thought ahead and brought clean underwear with you and a clean pair of pants. Keep those with you at all times during this phase. It will save you a lot of hassle. If the accident is conspicuous, alert someone immediately and offer to clean it up for him or her. More often than not, they will not let you and will ease your mind by telling you that it happens all the time. Believe them when they tell you this and do not feel guilty or fuss at your toddler. He or she is still learning and accidents happen.

Above all else, do not cloister yourself or your toddler away during this time. While it may feel safe to do this, you are going to have to venture out at some point and taking the risk is worth the reward of a job well done in the end.

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