Your best resource for potty training tips and tricks – and clever ideas – will always be the parents who have already been through the process. Whether you’re potty training boys, girls, toddlers or 4-year-olds, these potty training thoughts from moms and dads are sure to help.
Real Potty Training Tips from Real Parents
While everyone says that our kids won’t go to college in diapers, that’s not always the most helpful advice when you’re in the thick of potty training. Luckily, there are lots of parents that have already mastered the potty training challenge and are more than willing to share their best tips.
1. Put the potty in the bathroom early.
Introducing the potty early on, by having it in the bathroom way before potty training even begins, will help the child be familiar with it and it won’t be as overwhelming for them when potty training time arrives.
2. Make sure your child is really ready.
This is a big one. If your child isn’t really ready for potty training, you could be looking at months of frustration for you and him. Some kids are ready at 18 months and others won’t be ready until they’re 4 or 5 years old.
3. Get on a schedule right away.
Creating a potty training schedule and sticking to it from the beginning can make a huge difference in your potty training process.
4. Use a sticker chart to allow your child to track going to the potty!
A rewards chart can be a great way to encourage your child during the potty training process.
5. Put some thought into what rewards you’re going to use.
Most potty training journeys include rewards – both for the child and the parents. From stickers to candy and even toys, playdates and screen time, there are several potty training rewards that might motivate your child – without having to purchase a $20 toy every time he or she poops on the potty.
6. Stock up on supplies.
You’ll need a portable potty or potty seat, big kid underwear and (of course) Kandoo Flushable Wipes. They’re easy to use, clean up to 30% better than toilet paper and can help your child get cleaner and become potty independent faster. The wipes pop up with the push of a button, making them perfect for little hands.
Added bonus? No more using too much (or too little) toilet paper. They’re also biodegradable and safe for sewer and septic systems.
Help your little one get a clean wipe every time with Kandoo Flushable Wipes. Click here to download a coupon.
7. Invest in some potty training books.
Reading together while on the potty may help make it more enjoyable and easy for your child to relax. Bonus if you read about GOING to the potty while your child is ON the potty – your child is sure to get excited for the potty training process!
8. Don’t forget to laugh.
Potty training can be stressful, but it doesn’t have to stink. Be sure to incorporate plenty of humor into your training to relieve stress.
9. Sing a potty song!
Get your child excited even before you start potty training by singing and dancing to potty training songs. You can make up your own or if you’re not feeling clever, there are lots of potty training songs on YouTube.
10. Give yourself a pep talk.
You can do this. So can your child. But at times, it might feel like it will never happen. During those times be sure to take a deep breath and give yourself a pep talk.
11. Give lots of praise!
Cheer on your kids while they’re using the potty. Make them feel SO proud, give your undivided attention, and use positive reinforcement.
12. Don’t be afraid to take a break.
Some children potty train early and some learn later than the average. If your child isn’t getting the hang of it after a couple of weeks, give it a little break and revisit potty training again down the road.
13. Boys learn differently than girls.
Boys have a bigger learning curve than girls when it comes to potty training. They have to learn when to sit down, when to stand up and what to do when they need to do both. From target practice to how to master that whole sitting or standing situation, there is lots to consider.
14. Potty training stubborn kids is possible!
If you have a stubborn child, the potty training process might be a little more challenging. But it’s not impossible.
15. Pooping on the potty can be scary.
If your child is afraid of pooping on the potty, try not to let them get constipated. Yes, this might mean letting them wear a diaper to poop for awhile.
16. Remember that nighttime potty training is different than daytime potty training.
Oftentimes, potty training at night happens weeks, months (or even years) after your child is potty trained during the day.
17. Don’t expect results in 3 days.
Can you make great progress and get potty training off to a great start in 3 days? Absolutely! Will your child be 100% potty trained in 3 days? Probably not… Potty training can take weeks or even months, especially if you start before your child is really ready. You can read about the 3-day potty training method before you get started:
18. Don’t be afraid to leave the house.
Yes, leaving the house while potty training can feel scary… for you. But have no fear. Start with small, short trips and build your way up to mastering public restrooms. The sooner your child (and you) can become comfortable using the potty in public, the sooner you’ll be mobile again.
19. It’s possible that your child will never learn how to flush.
Just learn to let it go. Eventually it will be someone else’s problem.
20. Learning to wipe might take awhile.
Once your child is potty trained, you’re going to have to teach them how to wipe. Teaching your kids how to effectively wipe their bottoms might take awhile. (Maybe even years.) Luckily Kandoo Flushable Wipes are here to help (click here to download a coupon.) And we even have a few tips on how to teach the wiping process to kids.
21. Learning to wash their hands thoroughly might take a while too…
Luckily, Kandoo has solutions! Teach thorough hand washing by applying glitter to your child’s hands (telling them they’re “germs”) and suggest they try to wash them off in the sink. They only come off with soap, similarly to germs! Kandoo Hand Soap also comes in fun colors and scents to make hand washing much more exciting for kids.
22. Regressions happen. Try not to cry.
You’ve done everything right. There haven’t been accidents in weeks, maybe even months. You’re ready to cross potty training off your list. And then the accidents start happening again. There’s no more pooping on the potty. Your child is begging for diapers. NOW WHAT? Don’t worry, this is totally normal. And you are not alone.
Read more:
- Potty training regressions
- When to start potty training
- Creating a potty training schedule that works
23. You might feel really, really old. (And that’s okay!)
There’s nothing like getting really excited over a toddler’s poop to make you feel like college was a million years ago.
24. It’s also okay if you get bored.
Parents may not admit it, but it’s not always fun to sit in the bathroom for HALF YOUR LIFE waiting for your daughter to finish pooping. Or to see if your son needs to pee. Luckily, you can always do a little multi-tasking. No guilt needed.
25. Celebrate!
Don’t forget to celebrate in a BIG way when you’ve reached your goal!
Potty Training Doesn’t Have to Stink!
If you’re potty training your child, Kandoo is here to help. Follow the three steps below to receive all of the potty training support we have to offer.
1. Get Potty Training Resources
Visit Kandookids.com/PottyTraining for hacks and support on your potty training journey. From the very basics to how to handle potty training regressions, poop problems and wiping, we’ve got answers to your questions.
2. Sign up for our Free Potty Training Program
Need a little more help and support? Sign up for our FREE potty program. It’s full of step-by-step advice to walk you through the entire potty training process – from the first time you introduce the potty to how to throw a potty training party to celebrate your success at the end.
Sign up, and you’ll receive the most effective hacks on potty training including a step-by-step plan of action on when to start, supplies to buy, how to keep it silly, how to handle set backs and more! Click here to join now.
3. Stock up on Supplies – like Kandoo Flushable Wipes
Kandoo Flushable Cleansing Wipes clean up to 30% better than toilet paper. The wipes pop up with the push of a button, making them perfect for little hands. Added bonus? No more using too much (or too little) toilet paper.
Help your little one get a clean wipe every time with the Kandoo Potty Time Pack. From Kandoo Flushable Wipes to Kandoo BRIGHTFOAM® Hand soap – and even a potty training superhero cape – the Potty Time Pack has everything you need for potty training success.
If your child likes to be independent, the Kandoo Potty Time Pack can help. Click here to purchase it now with free shipping!
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