Our Potty Training TIps & Tricks

*Every child is different, and every child reaches milestones at a different time and rate. The tips and tricks that worked for us might not necessarily apply to other parents who are ready to potty train. But if you're ready to start the process, here are some of the things that we found useful:

-Once you make the decision to train, run with it. Using the potty some days and not others can get confusing to a child. The process definitely requires readiness from the parent as well as the child. If it's a busy time at work, if you have a new baby coming soon, or if you have a lot of travelling coming up, it might not be the best time to train.

-Listen to your child. One of the biggest frustrations I've seen in parents is trying to train a child who just isn't ready. But if your child is showing interest in the potty, embrace that. Let him/her go with you when you go, and talk about the fact that you are using the potty.

-If your child asks to put a diaper back on, let her. The more you battle, the harder the whole process is going to be.

-Keep a potty seat in the bathroom and let your child sit, even if he/she doesn't go. It's important that they get used to the idea. (We use the kind of seat that sits on top of the toilet. We did this because of space reasons, but it also eliminates the need for another transition when it's time to use the big toilet instead of the little one. However, some children have a fear of the big toilet, and in that case the little seat is a perfect compromise.)

-Celebrate any successes. Stephanie loves to run out and tell Joseph whenever she has gone.

-When you're at home, let your child go without pants. Pulling down underwear is a lot easier than unbuckling jeans. Many times children know they have to go, but say it too late, and have accidents while in the process of getting their pants off. They then get upset and frustrated.

-Along the same lines, invest in some knit pants that pull off without buckles, buttons and zippers. (Or use dresses/skirts for girls.) This is good for when you're not home, and it probably isn't appropriate for your child to go without pants...

-Bring your child in whenever he/she tells you she has to go. This gets annoying quickly, especially if your child is like mine and says she has to go every 5 minutes. (I find that this happens when we're home, and she isn't overly involved in an activity. If we're out, or eating meals, or she's playing with something very involved, she only tells me she has to go if she really needs to.) But as frustrating as it is when your child says she has to go all the time, but doesn't, it's important to still bring her in. It lets her know you're listening to her, and you never know when she really does need to go.

-Use Pull-Ups at nap, nighttime, and in the car. I for one am not thrilled with the idea of having to wash the car seat if she has an accident in it. I know some parents who don't use Pull-Ups, preferring just to put a diaper back on for sleep/car rides. I prefer the Pull-Ups, because often Stephanie will need to potty right when she wakes up, or right when we arrive somewhere. Pulling the Pull-Up off and on is a lot easier than trying to put a diaper back on while your child is standing in a public restroom.

We are so excited that the process has been successful for our little one so far. I hope others find these tips useful, and good luck to any of you who are or are about to enter the Potty Training process! 

Tweet