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A Message From Kathy.

Although I can provide you with a lot of information and guidance right here on this site, there’s some additional advantages to be gained by connecting to those sites listed on my Resource Center page. These organizations include non-profits dedicated to specific fields within the child care category and provide resources that go deeper into a particular subject.

Take the Child Care Council for instance. Their depth of assistance includes all the areas important to the industry as a whole: counseling and referrals directly to families and to businesses that require this assistance for their employees, professional development, assistance and training for potential and currently active providers, and in general, as an informational resource, database, and voice for child care issues that concern all those in their demographic areas.  In this case there are two; a Nassau and a Suffolk county branch.

In addition, I provide you with links and basic contact information to organizations who specialize in certain age segments and also the state agency that deals with all child care matters as it applies to the legal and public assistance options important to state residents, and I also link you to a national entity that allows you to investigate all the same links in every state of the union and a myriad of other concerns that involve us nationallly. Plus, I include an educational resource for child care professionals that provides educational opportunities and options online.

In most of the articles on this site, you’ll notice that I occasionally link to my resources for clarification of a particular subject I am discussing. The links are designed in such a way that when you’re done utilizing the references and close that site, you’re right back here. In that way, you’ll never lose your place when taking a side trip to investigate an interest.

As I discover new organizations, or rediscover established organizations I might have overlooked, I will add them to my Resource Center page. I want you to have all the assistance you can get when it comes time to make an educated decision as where, why, how, and when you place your child in child care.

★ CHILD CARE Tips

To Toilet, Or Not To Toilet.

There, I’ve said the word “toilet”, describing the most frustrating learning experience for children and parents alike, and the age old question for new parents that eventually surfaces; “When will they be ready?”

The first thing you have to realize is that you are no longer in charge. Complete control remains in the hands of the child. Making them sit on the potty when they have little interest in doing so only causes aggravation and frustration for everyone concerned.

A child learns to use the toilet appropriately in a developmental process that starts with gentle encouragement after children seem to offer clues about their toilet readiness. If they’re pressured before they’re physically and intellectually able, or are punished for toilet accidents, this could turn into an unhealthy and intense struggle.

The best way to get things going is by putting out the potty and simply encouraging your child to just sit on it.  If she shows no interest to learn, stop.

Don’t force them, just try again at another time. Remember too that many young children are frightened by the size, noise, and quick water movements. Parents should take their alarm into consideration by giving simple answers to their inevitable questions of “Where does it go?” and “Will I fall in?”

Encourage him to sit for short periods of time and be there to respond to his needs at key times, like after meals, before naps, and once he is comfortable and awake after a nap.  Most important, part of their learning process should include knowing that other than products of elimination, no objects should be put into the toilet and no playing around the toilet is acceptable.

Here are some signs indicating that your child is ready for toilet training:

-Your child can point to wet or soiled clothes and ask to be changed.

-Your child can stay dry for long periods of time, including overnight.

-Your child has words for using the toilet.

-Your child can stand and sit down without assistance.

-Your child can pull her pants up and down alone.

Additional lessons:

This is a good time to teach correct names for body parts and bodily functions. The goal here is to reinforce the fact that all parts of the body are good and all body functions are natural. At the same time, they should become aware that their bodies are private and they can have privacy when on the toilet. It’s also a good time to let them know that if anyone makes them feel uncomfortable, they should always be able to come to you.

Recommended Books:

Your New Potty

by Joanne Cole

(Harper Trophy, $3.95)

Once Upon A Potty

by Alona Frankel

(Barron's, $6.95)

Toilet Learning

by Allison Mack

(Little Brown, $3.95)