If you're using only a potty seat, you'll obviously be potty training in the bathroom. With a toddler potty, though, you can conceivably potty train anywhere in the house. Pick a convenient, accessible spot that's easy to clean, and use it exclusively to help build familiarity and consistency. Some parents believe you should potty train only in the bathroom, so you build that association right from the start. Others, though, believe you should potty train in the room that makes the child most comfortable, such as a bedroom or even the living room. Choose the route that makes the most sense for you. Have your child sit on the potty after waking up in the morning, after a nap, and after meals. They’ll have better chances of success in these instances. Additionally, schedule “potty stops” about every 2 hours during the day.  Encourage them to sit for at least a few minutes each time, and praise them for trying whether they actually go potty or not. The goal is to turn sitting on the potty into a normal part of their daily activities. Focus exclusively on sitting down before teaching them how to pee standing up. This will help prevent confusion in the beginning as your child becomes more familiar with using the potty.  When a boy seems ready to learn to pee standing up, emphasize the need for him to keep his pants up and backside fully covered.  (This will be of utmost importance in school and other public bathrooms.)  A father or older brother can help to demonstrate how this is done.  If a young boy finds it easier always to pull down his pants, he may continue always using the toilet in a sitting position. Consider placing pieces of cereal or candy in the potty when you’re ready to teach a boy how to pee standing up. These items can function like targets boys can aim for! Your child may fidget, make straining faces, announce their tummy hurts, look you in the face, hold up their hand, or run off to hide in a corner if they need to use the potty. Take them to the potty immediately upon recognizing these signals, no matter when the next scheduled “potty break” is. If you get there and nothing happens, praise them for trying. If it’s too late and they’ve already gone, don’t get flustered. Just keep an eye out for next time. Activities such as these can make potty training seem fun, instead of as a chore or lesson. The longer you can convince them to stay on the potty, the more likely they are to eventually have success. Some toddlers might enjoy this potty time with you so much that they don’t want to get off. Whenever possible, let them stay on as long as you can—think of it as a great one-on-one bonding time for the two of you! This can help children grow more consciously aware of their body signals when it’s really time to use the potty. It’s also impossible for them to ignore or deny what happens when they don’t get on the potty in time.  This works best if you have an area of your house with easy-to-clean floors and items, or a private backyard they can run around in. Ideally they should also hang out in general proximity to the potty so they can get there quickly when needed. Signing up for this method of course means accepting that you’ll be cleaning up some messes. However, if you can do it consistently for several days—for instance, during a long weekend when you’re off work—you may find that your toddler is consistently using the potty by the end of the period. Children are more likely to use the potty when they know they’re going to be rewarded for doing so. Many parents offer incentives such as pieces of candy, stickers to place on the calendar, or pennies to store in a piggy bank.  What one parent sees as “rewarding” another might see as “bribery,” so you’ll have to decide what role motivational items should play in potty training your child. If you do offer rewards, try to keep it consistent among caregivers. You don’t want one person offering an M&M and the other a dollar! Being positive and recognizing your child’s accomplishment will motivate them to continue using the potty. Say something like “You did a great job going potty—I’m so proud of you!”  Praise them just for trying as well: “Thank you for trying to go potty—maybe next time we’ll get to flush something away!” Never respond negatively or punish the child for not using the potty or for having an accident. You’ll just create negative associations with using the potty.
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One-sentence summary -- Place the potty in the bathroom or another convenient location. Create a consistent routine for sitting on the potty. Train boys to sit down to pee first. Encourage them to use the potty whenever you see their cues. Read a book or play with a special toy while they sit on the potty. Consider allowing your child to go naked or bottomless. Establish a rewards system for motivation. Praise your child when they successfully use the potty.


If home remedies and over-the-counter medicines aren’t giving you the results you want, don’t worry! Your doctor or dermatologist can prescribe stronger medications that may help. Talk to your doctor about trying a prescription topical treatment, such as a cream, lotion, or gel that you can apply directly to your acne.  Your doctor may prescribe a retinoid cream, such as Retin-A. Retinoids are a form of vitamin A that fight acne by preventing clogged pores and hair follicles. You may need to start by using the product 3 times a week, then work your way up to once a day. Other prescription topical treatments include antibiotic creams with benzoyl peroxide or salicylic acid, prescription-strength azelaic acid, or dapsone 5% gel (an antibiotic that also has anti-inflammatory properties). Oral drugs are medications that you take by mouth, so they work systematically (throughout your entire body) rather than directly on your skin. Before trying one of these medications, give your doctor a full list of any medications you are currently taking and tell them about any medical conditions you might have. This will help them choose a safe medication for you.  Some common options include oral antibiotics (usually combined with topical medications, like benzoyl peroxide creams or retinoids) and medications that regulate your hormones, such as birth control pills or spironolactone. One of the most effective oral medications for acne is isotretinoin. However, while it’s very good at fighting acne, it can also cause serious side effects, such as ulcerative colitis and severe depression. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks and benefits. Never take isotretinoin if you’re pregnant or trying to conceive, since it can cause birth defects. Dermatologists and estheticians use chemical peels to help remove certain types of acne. Blackheads and papules are the main forms that benefit from this treatment, and it may result in smoother skin for you. Chemical peels can also help reduce the appearance of acne scars, fine lines and wrinkles, and discolored areas on your skin. Ask your skin care specialist if this option is a good one for you.  Ask your doctor or skin care specialist how to care for your skin before and after the peel. Your skin may be red, sensitive, or inflamed for a while after the treatment. Let your doctor know before the procedure if you’re using any other treatments, such as retinoids, which could cause serious irritation if you combine them with a chemical peel. If you have scars from acne, laser treatments can help soften them and reduce their appearance. Ask your doctor or dermatologist if this is a good option for you.  Since some people experience breakouts after a laser treatment, your doctor may recommend combining the laser treatment with a course of antibiotics. Other options for minimizing scars include using injected skin fillers, getting a professional exfoliation procedure (such as microdermabrasion or a chemical peel), or having surgery to repair severe scars.
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One-sentence summary --
Discuss prescription topical drugs with your doctor. Inquire about prescription oral drugs if your acne is severe. Look into chemical peels to help even out your skin. Ask about laser and light treatments to minimize scars.