OOPS, IT HAPPENED... ​AGAIN

Potty training is a process. And as we've said, along the way there will inevitably be accidents.

Because your child will want to please you and receive all that wonderful praise you've given for potty successes, any accidents he has may be hidden or at least not immediately announced.

That's why you'll need to check your child for clean pants frequently, every half hour or so. If his pants are clean, give lots of kisses and hugs. If they're wet or soiled, let him know using just a few words. Don't get angry... that ​never helps.

When your child wets or soils his pants, clean the accident and have him practice what to do the next time he feels the need to go pee or poop. Simply have him go to the bathroom, remove his clothes, sit on the toilet and practice as though he was going "for real."

As strange as it may seem, the more often your child goes through these practices, the more quickly you will get results. So try to think of accidents as happy - if messy - "teachable moments."

And don't forget - if you start the training process and realize your child isn't ready, even though you thought he was, stop. It's better to take a break for a month or two and then try again rather than push ahead and unwittingly create a negative association between the toilet or potty chair and your child's willingness to urinate or have a bowel movement in the toilet. You can always put your little one back in Pampers or Pull-Ups. He will ultimately feel motivated to be trained, possibly by something other than your prompting. After all, what child wants to have toileting accidents at school?