Don't Show Frustration or Anger

If you're frequently angry with your child when they're in the bathroom, they'll start thinking you'll always be angry when you're there. Fake it till you make it! Think of something happy. Remember that accidents are completely normal and expected during this learning process. Your child's brain is still developing the connection between feeling the urge and taking action. Getting upset about accidents is like getting angry at a baby for not walking perfectly on their first try.

When accidents happen, use neutral language: "Oops, let's get cleaned up and try again" instead of "Oh no, you had an accident!" Your tone of voice matters just as much as your words. Children pick up on frustration even when you think you're hiding it well. If you feel your patience wearing thin, take a deep breath and remind yourself that this is temporary. Create positive associations with the bathroom by singing songs, telling jokes, or having special conversations during potty time. If you do lose your temper (and it happens to the best of us), apologize to your child afterward.