Potty Training pro Tips

ARE YOU READY?

Before beginning the often-challenging task of toilet training, ask yourself a couple of questions, the first one being, “Are they ready?”There are many signs that your child is ready to get started, but the following can make the job much easier: they recognize when they are wet, can follow one-step instructions, show interest in sitting on the toilet or potty chair, and have toys or activities that can be used as motivators. The next question is, “Are you ready?” Being organized and having the ability to plan are helpful. Make sure you have all the supplies you need before you get started. Most importantly, make sure you have the time to commit 100%. Don’t start if you have any upcoming events, trips, or big life moves.

FILL YOUR TOOLBOX!

Having the right tools for the job will make toilet training easier and more fun! Using a schedule and timers will help you and your child stay on task. Take a few days before you get started to track how often your child is wet by doing hourly diaper checks. Once you know how long they can hold it, set your potty trips to slightly shorter intervals. Have their favorite videos, toys, and treats on hand. Setting aside a special treat just for successful potty trips is a must...mini M&Ms, yogurt raisins, and chocolate chips are a few favorites. A potty chair or toilet seat and step stool will help your child independently access the toilet. Finally, be sure you have lots of underwear…and lots of patience!

BE SUCCESSFUL!

Be encouraging and have realistic expectations. Some children get it right away and others need some time. Start with small goals like sitting on the potty for a few minutes. Take frequent and consistent potty trips. If your child is whining or crying on the way, try again a few minutes later. Deliver the reward as soon as they go potty. Waiting even a minute reduces the effectiveness as they may not make the connection. Finally, good luck and have fun!

1 Madagascar the Musical. 6:30pm. RiverCenter; 706-256-3612

1 Plains, Trains and Fireworks. 6pm. SAM Shortline, Cordele; 1-877-GA-RAILS

1-4 July 4th Star Spangled Beach Party. 9am-11pm. Callaway Gardens; 885-885-3841

2-4 Summer Concert Series. 4pm. Robin Lake Beach; Callaway Gardens; 855-894-0420

3 Summer Cinema: Movies & Munchies. 10am. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

3 Kid’s Art Studio: Acrylic Painting. 5-12yrs. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

3 Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots Baseball Game. 7pm. Golden Park; 706-507-4625

3 Freedom Celebration & Fireworks. 6:30pm. Opelika High School; opelika-al. gov/749/freedom-celebration

3 Astronomy Night. 9pm. Gardens Overlook, Callaway Gardens; 855-894-0420

4 FreedomFest. 10am-4pm. National Infantry Museum; 706-685-5800

4 Independence Day Celebration. 9pm. Behind Duck Samford Stadium, Auburn; auburnalabama.org/4th-of-july

5 Write! Learn Cursive and Penmanship. Ages 5-12yrs. 3pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2813

6 I Forget! Ages 5-12. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

6 Interactive Movies. 5pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

7 Family Night. 4-7pm. Bare Ware Pottery Studio; 706-571-0507

7-8 Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots Baseball Game. 7pm. Golden Park; 706-507-4625

8 Murder Mystery Dinner Train. 6pm. SAM Shortline, Cordele; 1-877-GA-RAILS

8 Smells Like Teen Science-LEGO® Destruction Derby. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

9 Sunday Fundays. 2-4pm. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400

10 Astronomy Night. 9pm. Gardens Overlook, Callaway Gardens; 855-894-0420

10 Art Studio: Watercolor Painting. 5-12yrs. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

10-14 Summer Musical Drama Camp. 10am-4pm. Ages 6-12. $160. Family Theatre; 706-431-3752

11 Kids Explore! Ages 0-12. 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

11 Teen Takeover: Summer Sleuthing. 3:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

11 Teen Takeover: Let’s Get ‘Together’ For Gaming. 6pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706243-2782

12 Lunch in the Library. Families. 11am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

12 All Together Now in the Afternoon: Bilingual Storytime. Ages 0-5. 5pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

12 Story Time & Art Making. 10am. Columbus Museum; 706-748-2562

12 MAMA B.E.A.R.S.(Part 2) Breastfeeding Support meeting. 12:30pm. Columbus Pediatric Assoc; 706-221-4602

13 Let’s Get Together: Cardboard Box Robots. Families. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

13 Teen Takeover: Recess Games. 3:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

13 LEGOS® in the Library. Families. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

13 Teen Takeover-Retro Game Night. 6pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

14 Fingerpaint Friday. Ages 3-11. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

14-15 Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots Baseball Game. 7pm. Golden Park; 706-507-4625

14-16 Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Fri 7pm, Sat 11am, Sun 2:30pm. McClure Theatre, Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688

15 West Point Lake Dragon Boat Race. 8am. Pyne Road Park, LaGrange; wpldragonboatrace.com

15 “All About Family Fitness.” 10:30am. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

15 Columbus Lions Indoor Football Game. 7pm. Columbus Civic Center; 706-322-3336

17 Astronomy Night. 9pm. Gardens Overlook, Callaway Gardens; 855-894-0420

17 Summer Cinema: Movies & Munchies. 10am. N. Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

17

Art Studio: Oil Pastels. Ages 5-12yrs. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

18

Kids Explore! (Ages 0-12). 3pm. South Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

18

Teen Takeover: Zines 101-Americans and the Holocaust Program. 3:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

19

Lunch in the Library. Families. 11:00am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

19 Write! Learn Cursive and Penmanship. Ages 5-12yrs. 3pm. Columbus Library; 706243-2813

19 MAMA B.E.A.R.S. (Part 1) Breastfeeding Support meeting. 5:30-7pm. Columbus Pediatric Assoc; 706-221-4602

20

Let’s Get Together: Forts. Families. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

20

Family Fun Night. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

20

Teen Takeover-Double Dare. 6pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

20 Columbus Chatt-a-Hoots Baseball Game. 7pm. Golden Park; 706-507-4625

21-23 Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Fri 7pm, Sat 11am, Sun 2:30pm. McClure Theatre, Springer Opera House; 706-327-3688

22 Uno, Dos, Tres Craft! Ages 4-8yrs. 3pm. Mildred L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

22 Slimy Saturdays. Ages 5-12. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

22 Paint Me a Story. 10:30am. RSVP. Bare Ware Pottery Studio; 706-571-0507

23 Sunday Fundays. 2-4pm. Columbus Botanical Garden; 706-327-8400

24

Ukulele 101. Ages 5-12. 3pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

24 Art Studio: Picture Collage. Ages 5-12yrs. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

25

Teen Takeover: Bad Art Night. 3:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

26

Lunch in the Library. Families. 11am. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

26

Teen Takeover: You Decide. 3:30pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

26

End of Summer Splash Bash. Ages 0-18. 6pm. S. Columbus Library; 706-683-8805

WeeklyEvents

TUESDAY

Summer of Fun! 10am-2:30pm. $5. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550

WEDNESDAY

Summer of Fun! 10am-2:30pm. $5. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550

THURSDAY

Summer of Fun! 10am-2:30pm. $5. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550

FRIDAY Mini Camp. 9am-noon. Ages 5-8. $20-$25. Registration required. Columbus Museum; 706-7482562 (Not 7/28)

Farmstand Friday. 9-Noon. MercyMed Parking Lot, 3702 2nd Ave, Columbus; 706-507-9209

L. Terry Library; 706-243-2782

28

Mini Golf Par-Tee: End of Summer Tournament. Families. 11am. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

28 My Mad Science Lab: The Nervous System. Ages 5-12yrs. 4pm. Columbus Library; 706-243-2813

28 Date Night. 4-10pm. All ages. Bare Ware Pottery Studio; 706-571-0507

28-30 Don’t Let the Pigeon Drive the Bus! Fri 7pm, Sat 11am, Sun 2:30pm. McClure Theatre, Springer Opera House; 706327-3688

29 Hogwarts After-Hours Escape Room. Ages 12-18. 6:30pm. North Columbus Library; 706-748-2855

Summer of Fun! 10am-2:30pm. $5. Oxbow Meadows; 706-507-8550

Family Fun Day Friday. 11am. General admission. National Civil War Museum; 706-327-9798

Summer Concert Series. 4pm. Robin Lake Beach; Callaway Gardens; 855-894-0420

SATURDAY

Market Days on Broadway. 9am-Noon. 900, 1000 & 1100 blocks of Broadway; uptowncolumbusga.com

Eye Spy Scavenger Hunt. 9am-4pm. $5. F.D. Roosevelt State Park; 706-663-4858

Please call ahead to confirm dates, times and age-appropriateness, in case changes were made after the info was obtained.