by Marty Minchin

Created on: June 23, 2009

Taking a child out of the house without diapers is a daunting but necessary step in potty training. Parents must be prepared to deal with everything from embarrassing accidents in public to finding public restrooms in every location they encounter.

With some preparation and an optimistic mindset, however, training a child to use toilets outside the home can be a manageable task. Here are some key steps to extending potty training into the "real world."

Set your mind to it
Before you take your potty training child out of the house, decide that you will deal with whatever happens and not revert to diapers. Putting diapers back on a potty training child will only prolong the process, so press on regardless of any initial public accidents. Stay positive, and don't let frustration and minor setbacks override your determination to potty train your child.

Pack a bag
Take all necessary supplies with you to clean up accidents. Pack at least two changes of clothes, extra underwear, wipes, small towels and plastic bags. Prepare yourself for the worst, and it won't be so bad if it happens.

Pack the potty
If you have a portable child's toilet, take it in the car. If a child absolutely must go to the bathroom and there's no restroom around, you can easily pull into a parking lot and discreetly let your child use the portable toilet.

Potty before leaving
Always take the child to the bathroom just before you leave your house. This will buy time before your next destination with a bathroom.

Start with short trips
You may want to initially take the child out on short trips, such as a 30-minute walk around the neighborhood, so he can get used to the feeling of being out wearing underwear. Most children can wait 30 minutes between bathroom trips.

Scout out public restrooms
Children who are potty training often will not give you much warning that they have to go. If you already know the location of the nearest public restroom, you can save valuable minutes getting your child there immediately.

Make it fun
Public restrooms can be strange and intimidating to children who are used to only the potty at home, so it will help to make new bathrooms feel fun and safe. An anxious child may be unwilling to use a public toilet.

Hold the child firmly as she sits on the toilet seat, which will make the child feel safe and stable. You may want to pack a bag of chocolate chips or other small candy as a reward for using the public bathroom. Make washing hands and using a hand dryer or towel dispenser fun, and children will begin to enjoy using public restrooms.

Don't wait-ask
At first, ask your child frequently if he or she needs to use the bathroom, as a chid may not always tell you. You may need to ask every 30 minutes, and respond immediately if your child says yes. Children will develop more control as they mature and can wait longer between bathroom trips.

Potty accidents in public can be embarrassing, messy and inconvenient. If your child does have an accident, clean it up and move on. Rather than getting frustrated, just remind yourself that accidents are a natural part of potty training and are just steps along the way to being completely diaper-free.

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