Hi my fellow mamas,
You are here because you are right around the corner from tackling potty training. And I’m here to tell you all of my simple parenting hacks for potty training your toddler! There is something very daunting about potty training your toddler for the first time. There are horror stories about having pee and poop all over the house, and having a child that completely doesn’t get it.
So, what do you do? How can you make this a successful, easy process? And what steps do you follow to make this as simple as possible?
Well, I am here to tell you that I have successfully and very easily potty trained two boys at the age of 2 years old. I am not saying this to brag or to sound snobby by any means. I am saying this because, my methods work, and I want to pass along my tips to make your parenting life easier.
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Simple Parenting Hacks for Potty Training Your Toddler:
Communication!
Make sure you are talking to your child before you actually start potty training. Let them know what will be happening and get them excited! Start reading potty books long before you begin. Here are our favorite potty books!
- Potty by Leslie Patrucelli. (Side note- all of the Leslie Patrucelli board books are super cute and funny! Check them out!!)
Go Shopping.
Take them on a shopping trip or look online together to pick out the new thing they will need to be successful, such as:
- A new potty. It’s nice to have a few different kinds or styles of potties. Some kids will like one over another. These are our favorites.
- New Underwear. Let them pick out which ones they like. Bright colors or their favorite character can help build excitement and also the feeling of being a big kid.
Hanes Boys Toddler Boxer Briefs
Place potties all over the house.
Placing a potty in the room where your child spends most of the day is important. This may be the living room or playroom. Not only is it a good idea to have a potty in the room, but it’s also important to put towels or waterproof liners down in case of an accident during the first few days.
- Splat Floor Mat- Waterproof. These are very nice for potty training, as well as under high chairs, playing outside, painting/ crafts, etc.
Keep diapers and pull-ups off.
Keeping diapers or pull-ups off during the day is a way to make sure the child knows when they pee. It will be uncomfortable for them whether they are wearing pants or underwear.
- Pro tip- we let our boys run around with no pants or undies on the first few days. Then once they started getting the hang of it, we put pants on, no undies for another few days. Then graduated to undies and pants.
Remind them where the potty is.
It is important not to be too controlling here. Simply remind them of the potty and make sure they remember where it is, in case they feel the urge to go potty. Don’t hound them or remind them every 2 minutes.
Have books next to the potty and read them when they sit down.
Have a stack of books next to the potty in the living room or playroom and let them look at them while they are sitting on the potty. This will be especially helpful when they are going poop, and sitting for a longer period of time.
Celebrate when they go potty in the potty.
Celebrate the win with your child! Let them know that you are happy they are such a big kid. Tell them you are proud of them. Jump up and down, clap, sing, or dance! Make it super fun and exciting! Some parents choose to have a reward after they go potty.
We used the reward system with our older son and to be honest it worked, but it was somewhat of a slippery slope. We had to move from a reward or treat every time he used the potty to only with poops then no rewards at all. It was a hard process to break. If your child is a-okay with celebrating and dancing, then, by all means, leave the reward out. If you have a child that is struggling or needs that extra incentive, then no judgments here!
Teach Good Hygiene.
Teaching kids to wash their hands after EVERY.SINGLE. POTTY. USE is so important. It won’t even be a question or a struggle because you will teach them from the very beginning. Let them know why they need to wash their hands. Parenting is full of teachable moments- Let this one be extra important!!
Do not get upset if they have an accident.
This is a huge tip here! DO NOT get upset or disappointed if they have an accident. It is ok and have them help you clean it up. Hopefully they choose the potty next time so they don’t have to clean up another mess!
Moving the potty into the bathroom.
After the first week or so, you can explain to your child that it is time to move the potty into the bathroom. This should be an exciting day because they are that much closer to becoming a big kid!
Potty Training at night.
It is nice to only focus on potty training during the day first, and get that down before tackling naptime or night-time training.
Once you are ready to potty train at naptime/ bedtime, first a foremost make sure you have a waterproof mattress cover. This will protect any pee from absorbing into the mattress. Next is to make sure your child doesn’t drink too much water or liquids before bedtime. Continue to talk to them about going potty in the potty and not pee peeing in bed. Reminder, do not get upset or disappointed if they do have an accident. This is normal, and it will happen until they learn.
Words of encouragement when potty training your toddler
I hope these simple parenting hacks for potty training your toddler has given you some great tips to follow. Sometimes kids just aren’t ready or slip into regression. That is ok. Be patient! I know kids that were ready before their 2nd Birthday and some kids that weren’t ready until 3 1/2 years old. Take a deep breath and continue to talk to them about it, until they are ready.
Here are some helpful gadgets that may help if you’re having trouble:
- Silicone Potty Training Watch
- Lil Advents Potty Time Adventures
- Potty Training with Tot on the pot- complete system
Another thing to think about is when you go somewhere or if you are traveling. Here are some go-to’s to make sure to pack:
Additional resources/ books:
- Oh Crap! Potty Training by Jamie Glowacki– FREE with Audible Audiobook (with audible trial)
Again, patience will be your best friend through this process. And keep in the back of your mind that they will get it! You are a badass mama! Hang in there!!
P.S. If you haven’t subscribed to my email list yet- make sure you do and you will receive a FREE family planner to keep your life organized!
Eva Petruzziello
This stage feels like it goes on forever, these are some good tips!
Trista
Right?! Parenting is constant! Thanks for reading 🙂