Potty training is not for the weak. We found out we were pregnant with Owen when Charlie was 21 months old, making him two and a half when Owen arrived. My goal was to have Charlie potty-trained by the time his brother showed up, but he had other plans. One day, at almost three and a half, he just decided to do it.
I had been told over and over again how this kid or that kid was potty-trained by the time they were 2. I’d read articles about potty-training and all the tips in the world. As of right now, I have no magic tricks for you, just a few helpful tips. Owen is 22 months old and we’re just getting ready to think about potty training this time around.
Charlie and I got into what felt like wars with potty-training. I decided early on that I wasn’t going to do that with Owen. I have no idea how Charlie ended up potty-trained, but it’s like something magically clicked in him. I know that people say that, but it’s absolutely true. We’ve never had night incidents or really any accidents since then.
You know that commercial where the little boy comes out holding his potty seat to show Mommy that he used it? That’s real, folks. So real. Charlie did that more than once and I’m not talking about on hard surfaces, we have carpet where he was bringing it to show off.
My tips for Potty-Training success:
1. Don’t Force It
With Charlie, I had a goal in mind: be potty-trained at two and a half, before Owen arrived! This caused me to force it and that didn’t make it very pleasant for anyone.
Forcing your child to do something before they’re really ready may actually prolong it. The child will become frustrated that they’re not being successful and that will only make it harder.
2. Stay Positive
This one is hard for me, but we’re doing it this time around. Owen sits on the potty, we cheer! Yay! Owen doesn’t want to sit on the potty? We don’t freak out.
They’re going to have accidents. That’s okay. Just clean it up and continue on with your day. If your child is worried about disappointing or upsetting you with their lack of potty-training skills, it’s going to make it harder on you.
I’m going to put this here: don’t go overboard on rewards. While positive reinforcement is the best thing, putting so much weight on potty-training may only lead to more frustration when they can’t accomplish it. Stick with a simple reward system like stickers.
3. Introduce New Things
New items for children who art potty-training might be pull-ups, step stools, a potty seat, or a reward sticker chart. If you start creating buzz around these new things, they’re going to be curious.
Next time you’re at the store, head to the training pants aisle and show them the many designs available for Pull-Ups® including new Disney designs featuring Doc McStuffins, Ariel, Jake and the Never Land Pirates and Lightning McQueen. Pull-Ups products are all about getting kids interested in potty training. Pull-Ups training pants have unique patterns that fade when wet to help your child learn to stay dry. The easy-open sides make it easy to check for potty breaks, plus they’re stretchy to help kids learn how to put them on and take them off like a Big Kid.
If you’re interested in a small potty seat, check out your options and let them pick which one they like. This should help reduce the fear of something new and help create excitement because they picked it out just for them!
If you’ll be using your regular toilet for potty-training, let them pick out a good step stool to get them there. We have a Cars one for the bathroom upstairs and a blue one for downstairs. You may also want to look into attachments for your toilet seat to make your child feel more comfortable about not falling in.
Starting August 28th, you can text “CARE” to 28767 for a chance to save up to $2.50 on Pull-Ups at Family Dollar!
To help you on your potty-training adventure, I’m giving away a $15 Family Dollar Gift Card!
Leave a comment below with your best advice for potty-training!
Amanda Cruse says
Do not feel bad at all about the potty training fails! My first attempt, my son was wayyyyy too young to grasp the idea of letting me know when he needed to go. His attention span was so short. The second attempt my grandmother who keeps him during the day as daycare while I work tried. Again, failed. This is our third attempt and so far, so good. I guess third time is a charm? Fingers crossed. Boys are tricky and have a mind of their own. Loved reading your story and tips!
Elena says
My tip is to be patient and reward your child for using his pottty
Cynthia C says
My tip is not to start too soon. It won’t happen until they are truly ready.
Charles says
Terrific article! Especially appreciate the info. for boys. Great resource, I may have to share. 🙂 Found you on Inspire me Monday. Thanks for linking up. Please check out my link as well. I hope you enjoy it.
Charles
Melinda says
Living thru this now with my grand baby. NOT fighting it!! Cheering when it works!!
YES!!
Here from Sunday Features.
beth shepherd says
Having rewards worked for my 3 children and having a ‘party’ after each time.
Rosanne Morrison says
I kept the potty chair close to where I was at like the kitchen ( I know sounds disgusting but works)
Evija says
Great post. Thank you for sharing with OMHG Wordless Wednesday linky, have a great weekend!! co-host Evija from @Fromevijawithlove xx
Rebecca Kellerman says
A tip for potty training is to reward them with positive reinforcement for using the potty.
Julie says
I love your sensible, practical tips. My youngest struggled a bit and what worked for him was not wearing underpants of any sort for a couple of months. Bless shim , he went commando! Just his jeans or trackie bottoms. After a few months he had got the hang of it and started wearing his underpants. As he is now 16 he’s gonna love that I shared that!
shelly peterson says
Using reward system has always worked well for me.
Cynthia R says
Best tip is to take it slow and not get frustrated with accidents, don’t want to scare them.
Laura J says
My tip would be to take a portable potty and leave it in the car! So many time he has to go…and right away. So, this saves us the problem of trying to find somewhere quick to get him…and he doesnt get frustrated not being able to make it there.
Nancy says
If possible, potty train during warm weather so you have fewer layers of clothing to deal with..
Jody S. says
I am so happy to finally read a blog post that doesn’t push you to train your child before he’s ready. My mother always thinks that the first time my children show any interest in the potty that they’re ready to be trained. Not so. They are just curious. Not a single one of my (5) potty-trained children have been truly ready until they were three years old. Sure, they dabble in going potty. . . but they’re just not ready until later.
Susan Smith says
My potty training tip is to let them run around without their clothes for a little bit of time.
Amanda Sakovitz says
Use a rewards system.
Becky Moore says
Honestly I used the here’s a pair of panties that you like and found that they didn’t like the feeling of wet. and of course was extra vigilant getting the kids to the bathroom
Amy Deeter says
We used the Once Upon a Potty video for our daughter. We sang the tune from the video all the time!!
Sarah L says
Never had kids and have no ideas.
Thanks for the contest.