How to Crate Train a Child

Crate training children: wacky new parenting philosophy or a helpful and overdue tool in the war against spoiled rotten children? It’s not hard to think of the many good reasons to crate train a child. Potty training comes to mind, as well as making travel easier. In addition, it’s much easier to manage teenagers who have been crate trained.

What are the Benefits of Crate Training?
Our parents’ generation got it almost right with playpens, but crates are easier to transport and, more importantly, extremely restrictive. Despite their confining nature, children can learn to love a crate just as they would their own bedroom. The crate becomes a familiar and secure place that is also mobile. Whether you need to take your darling on a long car ride, stay at a motel, or perhaps just out go for the evening, you can rest assured that your crate-trained child will be safe and contained.

Crate Placement at Home
Place the crate in an area where the child may be with you, or at least observe you at close range. Do not put the crate in an attic, basement, or other secluded portion of the house as the child will only cry incessantly and therefore negate the benefits of crate training. The kitchen or family room is an ideal location. At night you can place the crate in the child’s bedroom, or, if you are crate training as a cost saving measure so that you do not have to upgrade to a larger home, just leave it in the kitchen. If you are particularly attached to your offspring, put the crate in your own bedroom.

Potty Training the Crate Trained Child
A key principle of crate training is to teach your child that you don’t mess where you sleep and eat. While human children do not naturally possess this instinct, consistent crate training will eliminate the need for agonizing potty training later. Every time the child goes in his diaper, just put him in the crate. He’ll get the message soon enough. Remember, children should never be given free reign of the house because they will end up impossible to train, potty or otherwise.

Crate Discipline
If your child whines or complains while in the crate, administer the appropriate admonition. Never, under any circumstances take a child out of a crate when he is fussing. That only rewards and reinforces bad behavior. You may want to give your child a special toy or treat just for when he is in the crate. Something Benadryl-filled works well.

Crate training may seem extreme, but I predict it’ll catch on quick. Please share your success stories and helpful tips in the comments below.

Something tells me this is nothing like what the folks at Parent Bloggers had in mind for this post. For traditional potty training, try something like Pull-Ups.