How To Potty Train Your Toddler – Part 2

If you haven’t read part one, I highly suggest reading that before reading this one to get all of the tips.  This is a continuation of a recent blog post that I made about potty training your toddler.  I feel like I should mention again that I do not consider myself an expert in this at all, even though I’ve potty trained countless toddlers.  At one time, I was potty training three toddlers at the same time (kudos to moms of multiples).  Anyway, here is the last installment of tips to potty train toddlers.

6. Don’t Overreact

One of the biggest things you can do for your child is to not overreact when you or they get frustrated.  It can be frustrating and you may have times of  slipping up, but letting your child know that it’s fine will make your child more comfortable to learn.  The toilet can be a scary thing and patience and understanding can really make a difference.

7. Don’t Stress Out

Potty training is stressful.  There is no other way to put it.  Your child is going to have so many accidents and you will start to question if you should keep on trucking.  Just keep your stress level low, walk away if you need to, and keep on the consistency.  Your child will get the hang if it and just remember that once it’s all over, the chances of blowouts and spending money on diapers will soon be over.

8. Communicate and Work with Daycare Staff

I need to say, if you take your child to daycare or if you have someone else watch your child, it is so important to communicate and work with whoever is taking care of your child.  Speaking as a preschool teacher, we want to mimic what you do at home so there is consistency in teaching your child how to potty train.  Do you reward your child with candy?  Great.  Bring some to daycare and request that they reward your child with the candy.  Do you use a toilet seat insert?  Bring it to the daycare so they can use the same method.

9. Accidents will Happen

Story time.  Now, I am in no way trashing that three day potty training technique.  But, I tried it with KB and it was the most infuriating and frustrating thing in the world.  I am fortunate that the floors in my house are hardwood so cleanup is easy.  I would set my daughter down on her tiny potty seat, set her Go Diego Go! inflatable Diego on his own potty seat to show her that her friends go to the potty too and wait a few minutes to see if she would go.  She didn’t and in fear that I’d scar her for life if I made her sit there until she went, I let her get up.  As soon as she stood up, she froze and peed everywhere.  Like, the flood gates open.  After that, I got a potty insert and pull-ups.  The whole point of that story was that her peeing everywhere was not her fault.  Accidents happen and she couldn’t control it, she was learning.  Just be prepared for wet beds, poop stained clothes, and wet floors.  You’ve been warned.

10. Consistency is Key

You have heard me mention this throughout this blog post.  Consistency is key to potty training.  Use whatever technique works with potty training and there is no shame in switching the technique if the technique you are currently using isn’t working (see story above).  But, if you are rewarding your child when they use the bathroom, follow through with it.  Use the same time when going to the potty.  If you give your child a special activity when they are going to the bathroom, don’t let them use it when they aren’t going to the bathroom.  Be consistant and the chore of potty training will be easier.

There you have it.  I could go on and on about potty training tips, but I’m sure you’d eventually get sick of it.  If you have any questions or tips you’d like to share though, please feel free to leave it in the comments!  I’d love to hear from you!