Learning from Observation

My one-year-old insists on accompanying me to the bathroom every time I go, and stares at me while I use the toilet. Her attention is embarrassing. Do I have to put up with this?

Of course you don’t have to use the bathroom in your child’s presence, but observing a parent (especially a same-sex parent) using the toilet is one of the best ways to teach her how to do the same.

Not only does observation answer a lot of your toddler’s unvoiced questions about elimination, but soon the desire to mimic your behavior may spur her to actually ask to use the toilet and to switch from diapers to underwear. Continue allowing her to observe you if you can avoid feeling too uncomfortable.

If you feel, however, that your embarrassment is having a negative effect on your child, suggest that she observe another willing family member, or look to other methods (conversation, books, direct instruction) to familiarize her with the process.