As your child grows, they continually learn new skills and reach new milestones. This starts in the womb and continues throughout your child’s life. Potty training is one of these milestones that your child will eventually reach. If you’re ready to start potty training your child, these tips will help you start the process. I know I know it sounds quite scary, but I am sure you are at the point of wanting to be done with diapers if you are reading this. 😉

Ok so first things first. How you are going to keep your sanity.

If you drink wine – make sure you have some on hand! If not wine, keep your favorite treats on hand. Not for them, but for you as you deserve a treat too! Sometimes potty training is harder on Mom then it is on the kiddo. 😉

Be prepared with LOTS of towels and wipes! There will be messes!

Plan a girls night out, for once potty training is done! You helped your kiddo do this, so you deserve a treat too!

Potty Training Tips

Follow a Schedule

Potty training is something new for your child. As you know, your child thrives on routine, laying down for naps and eating meals at the same time each day. If your child misses a nap or if their schedule is thrown off even the slightest, you usually have to deal with tantrums for the rest of the day. This can also be applied to potty training. When you first introduce potty training to your child, be sure to follow a schedule. It might be rough for your child at first since it’s such a new concept, but eventually your child will adjust so that sitting on the potty becomes the norm.

Time It Right

When you first start potty training your child, you need to help your child recognize the urge to go. In order to do this, you need to strategically time your trips to the potty. After you give your child juice with lunch, set a timer to figure out how long after drink your child needs to use the potty. You can use this information to time your trips to the bathroom. If it takes an hour after drinking before you child needs to use the potty, then start asking your child if they need to go around 30-45 minutes. If your child says no, then continue asking every 5 minutes. Eventually, your child will recognize on their own that they need to go.

Use Rewards

Potty training is hard work. To help keep your child excited about using the potty, set up a reward system. A reward can be anything, including going to the store to pick out a new toy or heading to the theater to watch a movie. By rewarding your child, you’re affirming the desired behavior of using the potty. This will encourage your child to use the potty more often, reducing accidents and helping your child be successful.

Be Patient

Potty training is a long process. It definitely won’t happen overnight. This is something that parents need to recognize. It can be so easy to expect too much from the process, leading to your disappointment when your child has an accident. This disappointment will affect your child’s effort, so be patient when it comes to potty training. If you go in to the process knowing that it will take a while, you won’t be disappointed and your child won’t be affected by any negative emotions.

Teaching your child to potty train will take time and patience, but it will be worth it in the end. What are some of your best potty training tips?