A few parents get lucky and potty training is a breeze. The rest of us suffer through months of accidents, refusals and tantrums before we even get a child on the potty. To help ease the way into more successful potty training, establishing a bit of groundwork can do nothing but help.

Share the Basics
You should share the basics of the potty and how to use it every chance you get. If your child follows you into the bathroom, explain to her what you’re doing and ask if she wants to try. If she does, give her a shot maybe she’ll actually perform!

Learn the Fundamentals
Well before you start putting the pressure on your child to perform, she should be well versed in the fundamentals. Teach her about Big Girl underpants and buy a little potty that she can pretend to use – if she wants to. Walk her through the steps when you’re in the bathroom together. Go, Wipe, Flush, Wash.

Be Laid Back
The best approach to potty training is a laid back one. Forcing the issue can make it take longer and be more difficult, so once your child is ready and knows the basic, help her along rather than forcing her. She’ll get there when she’s ready; you’re just there to facilitate and clean up the accidents.

It’s no secret that exercise and pregnancy are an excellent mix – for most women. But not everyone needs to be hauling off to the gym for a session of free weights and elliptical trainers. Mixing exercise and pregnancy should be done carefully.

Are You Comfortable with the Mix?
Most exercise is perfectly fine during pregnancy and can actually help many pregnancy symptoms like nausea and muscle cramps. But some women become stressed when exercising. They worry about the welfare of their unborn baby. For women with history of miscarriage, bleeding and other symptoms of high-risk pregnancies, it might be best to lay low for a while – consult your doctor if you’re not sure.

Take it Easy
The first trimester is the easiest physically for exercise, but the worst in relation to feeling like it. Not only are you overwhelmed with the news, you’re also sick and bone tired. This is just a sign that starting now your exercise should be low key and easy. Take a walk to clear your head, or do a bit of water aerobics to stay loose and de-stress. You can continue these classes right up to delivery in most cases.