Potty Training Support
from Maine To You
The world suddenly changed, seemingly overnight.
Are you feeling more and more..like a stressed-out mom to your toddler?
Consider this a toolbox of resources for parenting toddlers through a crisis, like the current pandemic.
Read on for support with
-
how to help you and your child feel calm when anxiety levels are high
-
ways to make the most of being at home with your child and set up for potty training your toddler
-
what are some easy fast foods (that also help with the poop if your child is poop withholding due to the anxiety in the air)
-
simple ways to connect with your child amidst all the social distancing
Move
Move around. It'll help release some of the worry. Dance parties in the kitchen. A walk by your house. Or do some yoga with the kids while sheltering in place .
Rhythm + Routine
In this podcast, Jamie shares tips on finding a new rhythm in the pandemic and what to do if you're seeing anxiety stir up in your child with the changes in routine.
Be Imperfect
Let go of expectations that you'll be able to do it all like nothing has changed. Give yourself some time to adjust to the unknowns.
Homeschool?
To homeschool or not to homeschool? In this podcast Jamie fields questions about homeschooling in light of the pandemic restrictions for schools in some areas.
5 Podcasts to help Moms feeling Anxious
Check out these podcast episodes by Jamie Glowacki, author of Oh Crap I Have a Toddler.
We also love Sparkle Stories for kids about why we're sheltering in place.
Thinking about Potty Training your Toddler While You're Stuck at Home?
1.
This episode speaks about mental health as self care. We can't show up for our kids if we're feeling worn out, drained, and on edge. Jamie shares practical tips for how to deal with mild anxiety as well as how to know if you need more help.
2.
Even if you're trying to be the most gentle, conscientious mom, Psycho Mom can come out if you don't find ways to release that steam.This podcast shares practical tips to avoid losing your cool with your kids, and how to fix it if you do.
3.
Do you feel like your toddler doesn't listen to you? In this episode, Jamie shares why it feels that way (how a child's brain processes words) and how to speak to help your toddler follow directions. Break the pattern of you trying to get your toddler to do the simple stuff (feeling like you're saying the same thing over and over.)
4.
When our kids are acting out, the behavior is a form of communication. What we're seeing in light of this crisis is an uptick in behavior..but don't assume your child is just being difficult. Especially now, behavior is more likely rooted in some level of anxiety around all the change and stress around them. This episode also shares tips on how to avoid the epic meltdowns.
5.
If the endless lists of resources, online teaching tools, and activities you can be doing with your child while at home (possibly filling in as teacher) have you feeling overwhelmed, listen to Connection. Because connection is what our kids need most.
Slowing Down at Home Helps with Potty Training
It's true that staying put at home is the ideal setup for the early days of potty training. Here's what to expect and why slowing down helps with potty training your toddler.
But Keep Out the Pressure Vibe When You Start Potty Training
Because of the stay-at-home orders with the coronavirus pandemic, you're not looking at a deadline with getting potty trained in a matter of days before going back to school or daycare. But there's another pressure that can come in...that pressure to get things right, which can lead to potty resistance.
.jpg)
What if you Start to See
Big Feelings from your Toddler?
There is so much that is tough about this crisis and so many feelings that kids may be feeling. Anxious, sad that they're missing friends, disappointed that their birthday party or baseball lessons are cancelled. There are a lot of feelings to be feeling right now. Here's a look at how to help your child with those big feelings.
Speaking of potty training and poop...it's easier when you add in foods that help your child poop!
Here are a few foods (healthy full fats are best) that prime the poop
to make it easier to catch a poop in the potty:
-
coconut milk
-
avocado
-
olive oil
-
butter
Below you'll find a few favorite easy-to-make recipes for toddlers and your family by Amy Palanjian of Yummy Toddler Food, that use these helpful poop primers as a core ingredient. Snacks and meals that are easy to make and help avoid toddler constipation! #winwin
Children's Books to Help with
the Tough Stuff
The Invisible String
We used The Invisible String to deal with the tough topic of death (there's one page that references it) but it's really a helpful tool for separation anxiety, too. Especially coming out of stay-at-home with the pandemic, we're hearing of strong separation anxiety issues. The author came up with the idea of the invisible string as a single mom facing tough drop-offs at preschool with her son.
What are germs?
Here's my favorite book for talking to kids about what virus germs are, why it's so important to wash your hands, and why we're social distancing at home. And What Are Germs is a lift-the-flap book which helps keep kids interacting with you.
All About Feelings
We're all feeling a lot of feelings right now. And this book helps preschoolers and school-age kids name and chat about feelings. It's a little bit easier to act and find a solution when we can recognize what we're feeling. What Are Feelings is another favorite.
When Sadness is at Your Door
This book is a sweet, honest look at how sadness can feel, and helps children relate to this big emotion in visual ways that don't feel scary. Good for readers who are 3 or 30. Right now there are so many things that may be sparking sadness, or your child may even see sadness in you. Every time I read this book I feel a little lighter.
Lifetimes
How do you talk about death with a young child? I connected with this book Lifetimes that explains death in relation to life cycles and endings. From plants to animals and people.
The Rabbit Listened
To help kids through tough stuff (big and small) it's always best to be a good listener. This sweet book is one of my favorites for talking through what helps you feel better is not someone doing, but simply someone listening. You want to feel heard.
Lunch Lines
We all need a laugh and this joke book is fun for meal times (or any time) you want to get some giggles from your toddler.
How to Freeze Milk
Find Amy's tips for freezing any kind of milk for kids so you can have at the ready for your toddler. Plus, Amy just shared a podcast with advice on picky eating, grocery shopping, and food fears in light of the coronovirus pandemic.
Recipe photos posted with permission, all by Yummy Toddler Food.
Favorite cool activity online:
Lunch Doodles with Mo Willems
+ our favorite potty book by Mo!
There are educational screen time options right now that really hit it out of the park, and this one's our favorite. Mo is hilarious, beyond being a super talented artist and author. We've been doodling as a family thanks to these Lunch Doodles with Mo!
Free Book to Talk to Kids about Covid-19
by Manuela Molina of Mindheart Kids
Manuela created this short book to help parents and teachers support young kids, in talking about the current crisis and the emotions that arise out of it.