Potty training girls is generally considered easier than potty training boys, but that doesn’t mean it’s a piece of cake. Transitioning your child from diapers to the toilet takes a lot of hard work and patience, on both the parts of mom and daughter.

Wiping
The most important difference between potty training girls and boys is that you have to teach your daughter to wipe front to back.  Wiping any other way can spread bacteria, causing a vaginal infection. If your daughter has trouble understanding the front to back motion, teach her to pat herself dry. This is especially important to teach her after she has had a bowel movement, and is likely to spread bacteria.

Let Her Watch
By now you’ve probably noticed that your daughter does as you do. She may pretend to put on makeup like you do and try on your heels. You can use her imitation of you to your advantage when potty training by letting her watch you use the bathroom. Since she likes to do what mommy does, watching you use the “big girl toilet” can encourage her to want to do the same.

On the other hand, if your daughter sees her dad or older brothers peeing while standing, she may want to try that as well. This is fine; it shouldn’t take long for your daughter to realize that one of the differences between boys and girls is the way they go to the bathroom.

Pick a Potty Chair
Your daughter will be more likely to want to potty train if her toilet is enticing. Potty chairs on the market today may be a stand alone or an attachment for your toilet. Some potty chairs are decorated as things such as princess thrones or other themes which your daughter may like. Put her potty chair somewhere she can get comfortable with it, such as the living room, and let her practice sitting on it fully clothed. Once she has the hang of that, explain to her how it’s used and have her sit on it with her pants down. Eventually she will understand that the potty chair is where she goes when she has to use the bathroom.

Potty Training Accessories
Your daughter will love being a big girl and wearing real underwear, just like mommy. Take her shopping and let her pick out her own underwear. As with potty chairs, underwear is often decorated with characters and princesses which will entice your daughter into wearing them (and hopefully keeping them dry).

Books can also be a great potty training aid. There are books that explain potty training to children and make it easy to understand. You can also leave a book or two in the bathroom for your child to read while using the potty. Sometimes, the distraction can help.

Remember to be patient when potty training your daughter. Although she may experience some setbacks, and you may have a few accidents to clean, eventually she’ll understand and be fully potty trained.