Whether your toddler is fascinated or terrified of the toilet, there comes a time when its time to transition from sweet baby status to big kid who uses the potty. Only you as the parent can determine when exactly that time is and no two kids are alike. You’ve probably done research on tons of methods including letting your child act like they are in a nudist colony for the weekend or the motivating and rewarding candy system. Regardless of which method you choose (and which your toddler actually responds to) there are some key tips that are standard across the board. Check out our list and get training!
1. Make Sure They Are Ready
This is the most important aspect of potty training: they have to be ready to do it. I’ve heard horror stories of over eager parents who didn’t want two kids in diapers with the impending arrival of a newborn, or a child who was potty trained and then regressed back to diapers. Your toddlers have very few areas of control in their lives and those usually consist of when to go to sleep, what and when to eat and once they are old enough, going to the bathroom. If your toddler shows no interest in the bathroom and still doesn’t tell you when they’ve messed their diaper, check back in a few weeks. They have their whole lives to use the big kid toilet once they’re trained- don’t rush it!
2. Be Committed & Be Patient
Once you’ve determined your toddler is ready, there’s no going back. Save for naps and bed time, diapers shouldn’t be worn during the day, and big kid underwear should be used. Get ready for frequent trips to the bathroom, both at home and when you go out. Get a routine going where you take your toddler to the bathroom right when they wake up and on the hour if you need do. Be patient with accidents and refusals to “let it go.” This is a big change for your little one! Don’t be afraid to get them some books while they wait it out on the potty chair. Hey, get a new magazine for yourself too!
3. Stock Up On Cleaning Supplies
Let’s be honest and just say potty training is messy. Instead of being frustrated by the accidents you’ll be cleaning up, just face the fact that you’ll be cleaning a little more than usual for a few days. Stock up on disinfecting wipes, bleach and rags so you won’t be extra frustrated trying to find your supplies, all while trying to avoid a pee spot on your wood floor.
4. Make it a (Fun) Big Deal
As a parent, you’ve no doubt already caught yourself doing and singing some pretty stupid stuff. Potty training is no exception. You think your kids are happy when they use the potty? Take a look at yourself in the mirror when you rejoice doing the pee pee dance (yay! one less thing to clean up!). It’s ok to get silly and your kids will get even more excited when they see how happy you are. It also may be a good idea to buy or create your own potty chart with stickers. Every time they use it, they get a sticker on the chart! You can also decide of treats are part of your method, and reward them with small candy if they use the potty.
5. Get a Potty Seat They Love
I’ve had a few friends that bought a potty chair that THEY loved, but their toddler hated. That being said, don’t spend too much money on one because you may get it home and they may not want to pee on Mickey’s face (true story)! You should also take into consideration if your child may just need a child seat that can sit on your existing toilet rather than their own potty chair. That isn’t the case with my toddler, who’s terrified she will fall in, so princess seat it is. Finally, take your house into consideration, especially if you spend a lot of time in one area where there’s no bathroom. My friend just bought a potty seat and carried it around the house with them so there was no reason to run to the bathroom when the urge hit!
6. Ask About the Bathroom- A Lot
Your toddler has spent the first 2-3 years of their life with a diaper strapped on. They are used to going to the bathroom whenever and wherever and may not even realize how often they go. To get them in the habit of listening to their body, ask them if they need to go- A LOT. Set a timer and ask repeatedly. Have them sit on the toilet even though they may not go, just to get in the habit of sitting on the chair. If you are brave enough to venture out of the house, take note of all the bathrooms in the stores you’re shopping in to avoid an accident!
7. Get Big Kid Underwear
I’ve heard that Pull-Ups can be great teaching underwear, but that they also mimic the diaper in how absorbent they are. Because of this, toddlers may not realize just how much they went to the bathroom because it’s being mostly absorbed. Potty training can be trial by fire, and sometimes a little pee never hurt anyone. If they wet themselves, they’ll finally understand! Big kid underwear can be exciting (especially if it’s got their favorite characters on it) and motivating. When you start training, let them open a brand new pair and tell them they get to wear them from now on! Be prepared to do some frequent washing!
8. Have a Travel Potty System
Once you’ve gotten the hang of in-home potty using, make sure you’re prepared when you leave the house. Extra underwear and pants are a definite must, but you may even need to bring an entire outfit, including socks and shoes. Take a travel potty and wipes with you, and be prepared to pull the car over. My friend was so committed to training her 3 year old who had regressed several times, that she would pull the car over and plop her daughter on the potty in the trunk. It worked!