Recently, I undertook one of the first major challenges of fatherhood.
It was time to potty train our oldest son Andrew.
Just the mere thought of potty training filled me with dread.
Although this is a required skill every child must master, I was extremely anxious about helping him accomplish it smoothly.
But, after Andrew learned to use the potty in 7 days, I realized my feelings were totally were unfounded.
Dads about to potty train a child don't have to fret.
  Here are my experiences and a few easy steps to make it a stress-free experience for both of you.
Hopefully, the experience of one father and son can help in your efforts.
Two main reasons caused me to dread potty training.
First, I have almost no interaction, personally or professionally, with kids other than my own.
So, I do not have enough experience to potty train effectively (or so I thought).
Then, as an older dad, in my mid-40s and Andrew is our oldest on, I do not have the right temperament for the job (or so I thought).
  However, exactly because of my trepidation, I decided to take the lead.
  As the father of a son, I felt it was my duty.
Just like most modern dads, I wanted to hear from experts first.
  To start, I talked to a few parents with good judgment.
Also, I read some articles in magazines and online.
I even watched some YouTube videos from trustworthy sources, such as Childrens Medical Center of Dallas, where we live.
But I soon become overwhelmed with advice.
So, make sure to limit your research and advice seeking.
Probably the most important element is understanding your child's personality.
Our son Andrew, almost 3 when we started, is a really good and well-behaved boy.
He is sensitive and anxious to please others.
These kids often are easier to train than other personality types.
Understanding your child's personality will help make the process easier.
For a few months before we started, I acted as a role model.
He watched me use the toilet and I told him soon he would use it like daddy.
This helped him begin to understand.
Timing was a big worry.
When to start? Eventually, I realized he was not going to wake up one day and say he was ready to begin potty training.
So, we started it when we could focus on it for a full week.
During the week of potty training, we stayed home.
We didn't eat in restaurants or go out anywhere.
Andrew had to learn how to use it at home before going in public.
Before starting, Andrew got to pick out his own potty at the store.
Then, during potty training, we also decided to use real underwear.
We had to do more laundry than normal this week, but it proved to be one of main reasons he was able to accomplish it in 7 days.
We did not want to use pull-ups.
With pull ups, he had a hard time feeling if he was wet.
Plus, my sister-in-law took 3 months to potty train her son using pull-ups.
We had a few pair of underwear a family member had given us.
Then, when he made some progress, which was after the first 2 days, we took him to the store so he could pick out some underwear.
Getting to select a few pair of Thomas the Tank Engine underwear himself made Andrew very proud.
Once he picked these out himself, potty training went smoothly the rest of the week.
Andrew was completely potty trained in 7 days.
We started on a Saturday and by the following Friday, he was able to use the potty by himself.
The most important part of the whole experience is to be supportive of your child.
This is a new experience for him.
Make sure he knows you are proud of him just for trying.
When he does use the potty, make it a celebration.
Even weeks after he is potty trained, Andrew and I do the potty dance after he goes.
Support extends after he is trained.
Several weeks after Andrew was potty trained, he had an accident and was very upset this happened.
I reassured him this happens to every person.
Later, your child may use the potty to test the rules.
Andrew also has to use it just after he is sent to bed for the night.
He also does this during nap time.
We will have to work on this with Andrew.
But most importantly, trust yourself.
You and your spouse know your child better than anyone.