Wait Until Your Toddler Shows Signs That They Are Ready to Start Potty Training
Many children will let you know that they are ready to start potty training when they talk about going “pee-pee” or “poo-poo” in the potty. My child loves to follow me to the potty and watch what I am doing. Children who are ready to start potty training will stay dry for longer periods of time before they use the bathroom. This lets you know that they are able to have control over their bladder. If you child does have an accident, never punish or make fun of them.
Implement a Reward System
My son moved up to the two year old room at daycare about a month ago and my son kept talking about gummy bears. So the next day, I decided to ask his teacher about the gummy bears and she told me that they give them gummy bears to the children when use the potty. I let his teacher know that he was showing signs that he is ready to potty train and they were welcome to put him on the potty. His teacher told me that he would get up on the potty and wouldn’t go. Since the daycare is using gummy bears as a reward system, I decided to implement the same reward system at home so that he has some consistency while potty training. Some experts suggest using non-food items for rewards. If you decide to give food or a treat, make sure that you don’t over do it
My Son Used the Potty This Weekend
On Friday evening, I decided to try potty training again. He has started taking off his shorts lately and he actually told me that he needed to go potty. I grabbed his and and we rushed to the bathroom. I set him up on the potty, after a few minutes of sitting on the potty he finally went. Yeah! After he finished going potty, we clapped, I told him that he was a good boy, gave him a hug and kiss. Then I gave him a gummy bear for using the potty and he was so excited. I was hoping that him using the potty was a fluke. However, over the weekend he went several times on the potty.
Create a Plan on How You Want to Handle Potty Training in Public Restroom
At this time, we are still using diapers since we still don’t have a system down yet. It will be a while before we work on potty training in public restrooms. I want him to be successful at home and at daycare before we put him in big boy underwear. I am excited and can’t wait to share his potty training success.
Tips and Tricks to Successfully Potty Train Your Toddler
Use these tips and tricks to successfully potty train your toddler:
- Be Patient, it is natural for your child to have accidents.
- Be Consistent, offer praise immediately after your child goes potty or for attempting to potty.
- Determine if your child is ready to start potty training.
- Allow your child to help you pick out a potty seat or chair before deciding to purchase one.
- Sit your child on the potty chair every few hours.
- Create a reward system.
- Always praise your child when they use the potty.
- Once your child is successfully using the potty at home then work on potty training in public, which is harder since most public places doesn’t have potty seats or potty chairs. Kids often feel like they are going to fall into the toilet.
- Continue to use diapers or pull ups during nap time and at night.
- Allow your child to pick out big boy or girl underwear, when you plan on switching your child from diapers and pull ups.
Tips to Potty Training A Toddler in 3 to 7 Days
If you have a weekend or a week to dedicate to potty training, immediately switch your child to big boy or girl underwear. During this time don’t use any diapers, pull-ups, or plastic pants except during nap time and overnight. Take your child potty every hour while they are awake and offer a reward and praise each time your child uses the potty. Be prepared for accidents and if an accident occurs tell your child that he or she needs to let you know that they need to go potty.
Do you have any tips or tricks to share with other moms on potty training their toddler?
Comments
21 responses to “10 Tips to Successfully Potty Train Your Toddler”
I remember potty training my two kids. Both were very different in age and ease of training. My daughter was fast and very young at 1 1/2 when she was totally trained. My son on the other hand didn’t have any interest until he was well over two years old. However, when he was ready it went very fast, too. Good article and tips, Christy.
Thank you for sharing Carla. 🙂
These are some great tips! I agree you most certainly need patience and praise is needed to keep your child on the right track!
Yes, this makes a huge difference. Children love to please their parents.
Potty training can be very frustrating, I know it was for me but I believe I started trying at too young of an age. Back in the 60’s & 70’s, the pressure was on when they were a year old. For all 3 of my children they were 2 1/2 to 3 years before I could really say they were potty trained even though I started early. I could have saved all of us a lot of frustration if I would have wanted until they were ready.
Thank you for sharing your experience Pat. I waited until my son was ready and so far he is doing pretty good. We still have accidents but that is to be expected.
Great tips! My son is 2.5 and approaching potty training age. It’s been a few years since I had to train my daughter, so this was a great refresher
Your welcome Corinne, I hope that these tips help you potty train your son. 🙂
I’ve watched my brother, sister and friends go through this with their kids. (I don’t have any.) What I found interesting in your post is that you’ve described what we have to do with anyone whose behavior we’d like to change! Well, not literally … 😉 … but the concepts are the same.
Yes, gotta change the unwanted behavior. So far things are going well for us and he is enjoying going on the potty. 🙂
Great tips! I remember all too well when my daughters were little 🙂 You are so right that patience is key! Thanks for bringing awareness.
Your welcome Delia. I love helping others with useful information. 😉
Very informative! It is definitely a good idea to bring your child along while picking out a potty seat. What other suggestions for reward could you give?
You have nice information for the moms in this phase of their life. I remember how difficult it was for me, and all the patience I needed to have in the past, but the good thing is that there is an “end” and it is rewarding!
Yes, this is a phase and once your child gets it there is usually no going back. Expect, for those occasional accidents.
Great article. I know that my nephew is going through this phase right now with my sister. Great advice!
Thank you Katrina, I hope that you were able to share this post with your sister.
Loved the tips! Especially taking them shopping to get a seat.. never thought of that, going to do that with my babygirl. I also really like the rest of your blog I’m going to be following my kids’ adventures on mine: mommyandfamily.blogspot.com/p/potty-training.html
Jess, I will be adding a new post soon. My youngest has been very stubborn when it comes to potty training and only did it when he wanted too. Last week I had enough and told him no more diapers.
Potty training can be so hard, I’ve also been there. But luckily I stumbled upon a website and tried a 3 day method I found there. That really worked great, wish I knew of that earlier.
Can really recommend it to every parent that is struggling out there!
Very good article. I have enjoyed reading it.