the bare-bottom approach

The Bare-Bottom Approach

Also called the "Naked & $75" strategy--for the carpet-cleaning bill you may incur--this is the method recommended by psychologist Dr. John Rosemond. Dr. Rosemond prescribes a "parent-led" approach, not a "child-led" approach.

Dr. Rosemond believes it is a mistake to delay potty training, as the habit of using diapers--like all habits--becomes more ingrained as time goes on.

According to Dr. Rosemond, teaching a child to use the toilet should be no different from teaching a child to eat with utensils.

This method calls for parents to matter-of-factly announce to the child that he or she will begin using the potty as of today.

The parent allows the child to go naked for a day or more during the training, as a child may feel comfortable soiling himself with a diaper, but less comfortable doing so when bare-bottomed.

As soon as the child starts to eliminate, the parent brings the child into the bathroom and sits the child on the potty.