Sidenote~ I like to call potty training the warm-up for the getting your teen to shower stage. Welcome to Motherhood😊

***Disclaimer*** I am a Boy Mom and that is where most of my personal experience is although my background allows me a professional insight, it's always easier when they aren't your own children. That's the only guarantee I can and will make on this blog.

Because like with all other “stages” of Motherhood it's a journey‼️what works on “every other child”  but won't work on yours is an awful feeling. However, let me offer you some words of comfort from a Mom of Bigs to a Mom of littles🥰~

1: I'm yet in my years to see a child over 6/7  with the capability to use the toilet still wanting to be in diapers even children who are left to their own devices will eventually figure out it's not very comfortable, enjoyable, or appealing to be walking around in their own mess. Pride will eventually get the better of them once they are around their peers and they naturally become more socially aware. (some children do have medical issues and in those cases I would recommend working closely with development specialists and following their recommendations).

2: I know your thinking that's Easy to say and with added external pressures such as starting preschool and what is ‘socially expected’ make this stage even more stressful for us Moms. Thinking our child is going to be that one. But making it a new fun experience that the child leads will make it a less daunting stage (somewhat), it's still potty training and it's hard, you will feel like you failing at times and you will probably question whether there is something wrong with you or even your child.

Firstly I want you to be reassured that's all perfectly normal!! We can say with some degree of confidence that there is probably no feeling or moment you have right now, that some mother before you hasn't gone through, Potty training is a significant milestone in your child's development, but it can also be a challenging and messy journey that requires more self-control and self-awareness then you knew you were capable of. As a mom, just remember you're not alone in this adventure.

We can't wave a magic wand and although some kids are just born ready and will be done with diapers before you are even ready, Most are quite happy to sneak off to a private corner to take care of business, despite the house full of fancy potty options and newly bought underwear, even the bribes and reward charts can't seem to work.

Instead we'll provide you with 13 practical tips that help you keep the “Mess” to a minimum  and valuable information to help you navigate the potty training process with confidence and ease.

1. Timing is Key:

Talk about it long before you introduce it, ask your child if they need to be changed, help them become aware of the sensations that come when they need to go,

Wait until your child shows signs of readiness they will usually begin to tell you, or you may notice that their nappies stay dry for longer periods.

Introduce the potty, underwear and books about using it long before you want them to start, you will usually begin to notice them pausing mid-activity to take the time to go, or announcing loudly when they are wet or going to the toilet.

They will begin to get curious as to what their parents or siblings are doing when they need to go, and like them announce it “ Mommy just needs to go”… using whatever terminologies/phrases you wish them to use.

2. Big Kid Clothes.

Around this time switch to a pull-up styled diaper some say putting underwear on before the pull-up can help them to notice they are wet. Personally, I have never tried this because I feel a pull-up tends to do that ( also more laundry is not something I'll ever promote) but it is something you could try if you feel your little one would benefit,

Potty training is usually the stage we upgrade the baby/toddler wardrobe into a “big kid” wardrobe.

Practical easy and fast options to pull up and down, no more vests with buttons or babygrow , tights can also be difficult for little girls to manoeuvre on and off easily ( yes sometimes it is necessary to strip to use the potty and that's a battle for another day).

Tracksuit pants and leggings are the best options and if at all possible let them go about in just a dress or oversized t-shirt.

This is why I say the summertime after they have turned Two is the best time to start the process. Running around outside (in the privacy of their back garden) can also save on accidents and clean ups when they are first learning). My youngest spent his entire summer in wellies and t-shirts when he was two it was his outfit of choice and it made the whole experience much smoother, It also made him more aware of the sensations, (wellies full of pee can be distracting even to the busiest toddler)😂.

I would leave a potty in almost every room in the beginning for quick and easy access to the potty when you see them get ready to pee. you will begin to spot the signs naturally as they begin to learn the sensation that happens just before they get wet (Nature is a great thing).

As they get more comfortable and can go longer periods I would recommend moving it to the bathroom and eventually to an adjustable toilet seat with a step underneath to get them into that habit. To some children the toilet can be a scary thing always take this into consideration when making the transition that being said there are plenty of children who refuse to use the potty and will want to go straight to the toilet don't be afraid to start there and skip the potty altogether.

3. Create a Potty-Friendly Environment:

Make the bathroom an inviting place by adding colourful decorations, small toys, or books to keep your little one engaged during potty time.

At this stage I would introduce your night/morning routine so they begin to understand and know what to expect( brush or teeth washing our hands and face and using the toilet). Let them get involved in the process of picking out their new toothbrush and paste, buy them their own big kid hand wash and wipes this way you are getting them invested. 

As much as all us Moms know the struggle of trying to use the bathroom alone without a tiny person trying to follow you or finding an excuse to join you at the most ‘appropriate’ times😅.

There is reason for this~ Our littles mimic everything at that age, yes I know its usually that one bad word we said by mistake or the critic they over heard you tell your partner about someone they later felt the need to share publicly,  but it also works for potty training.

4. Choose the Right Equipment:

Invest in both a portable potty,toilet seat insert and step that is comfortable and secure for your little this also allows them to reach the sink with ease.

Let them be involved in picking their potty, new underwear and some new big kid clothes to encourage their interest and excitement in this new “big kid” phase.

Try to introduce them before you ever expect the child to use them allow them to try them out whenever they show interest and make a big fuss when they do. There are so many options available.

5. Establish a Routine:

Remember to set potty breaks throughout the day, especially after meals or naps. This helps your child develop a regular bathroom routine.

Encourage your child to use the potty regularly by setting timers or offering gentle frequent reminders. Consistency is key to reinforcing the habit. Let them take a moment before bed and in the mornings to sit on the potty or toilet even if they are still in the pull up stage this will get them in the habit and establish a routine.

Thriving and learning is hard and time-consuming work and taking breaks can be problematic, use reassurance (they can come back to their activities once they have made an attempt) or offer a suitable activity to bring with them while they go,

Bribery can be a great trick in the early stage because in the long run bodily functions are non-negotiable and they won't always need to be praised or encouraged but in the beginning, it's a case of doing what you can to get them to cooperate. Save their favourite activity to offer after an attempt, You will see them try even when they don't need to just for the reward its a win-win really.

6. Celebrate Successes:

Praise and reward your child for their efforts and successes. Small treats,Stickers or a special outing can motivate them to continue using the potty ~ offer one for no accidents (even unsuccessful attempts deserve some praise), one for sitting on the potty or attempting to and then save the best one for when they are successful. I have linked some Reward Charts throughout you and your little one might enjoy.

The thought of not being successful will sometimes deter them, Altogether so this way we are celebrating each milestone regardless and it will make them more willing to try regardless, if the timing is right it will be successful even if by accident. In our house, we've tried it all reward charts, treats, bribes outings and even the “potty dance” where we all joined in and danced around the potty singing “Pee pee in the potty”. (desperate times and all that). 

I can safely say no one thing worked with both children, my oldest has sensory processing issues which made the whole experience different, had I sung and announced his success I would have been met with a very upset child (he was all about the privacy) but he loved a good reward chart and took great pride in every sticker, my youngest would have only been too happy to include the whole neighbourhood in his potty dance.

7. Make it a Team Effort:

Involve other caregivers, siblings, or family members in the potty party to provide a consistent approach and support system. Let them make a video call to their family members of choice and declare their new achievement, Inform anyone who will listen within earshot of how great they are doing and how they are so big now,

Being the same as their older siblings or family members will give them the motivation to try harder. Ensure everyone who plays a role in day-to-day care is on the same page when it comes to the way you are choosing to Potty train with rewards etc.

It can be extremely frustrating having to Co-parent with or having a family member who insists on putting them in a diaper when they are caring for them, but it can happen try not to get disheartened once you stay consistent at home, children catch on pretty quickly to how things go in different environments. Offer encouragement understanding and be patient with them, they can struggle when adjusting from one to the other.

Consistency is key so don't be afraid to put your foot down with others, especially in the beginning.

8. Patience, Perseverance, Repetition and Even More Patience:

Accidents are bound to happen. Stay calm and avoid scolding or punishing your child. Instead, gently remind them about using the potty next time.

The fact is (again with the daunting motherhood stuff) a bad experience can turn your child off wanting to participate, it will become a battle of wills between you and your toddler,

I know the build-up of washing and the constantly trying to sit them on a potty only for them to soil themselves as soon as you give up does test every bit of our self-control but it is essential to let your frustrations out when they are not present.

After an accident still have them sit on the potty/toilet while you change them out of their wet clothing and clean them like you would had they been successful ( as opposed to lying them down like you would to change their nappy).

9. Bathroom Etiquette- But With Toddlers

Explain the importance of handwashing after using the potty. Encourage your child to participate by showing them how to do it properly (front to back etc)...

Invest in kids' toilet wipes as they are less messy and easier to manage for our little ones. They also help with the clean up for us Moms.

Prepare yourself for the new sentence “wipe my bum” to be echoing through your house at the most ‘convenient’ times for many years to come a lot longer than you think.

Also if you don't already own one now is the time to buy that plunger, if it can be flushed well then chances are it will be!! Oh, and the fun that comes from using a whole roll of toilet paper at once can never be fully understood by us mere adults.

Speaking of new words Poop will also become a word you never thought someone could enjoy saying so much, but your toddler will in fact find a way to insert it into almost every sentence and at the most appropriate times of course.

It also welcomes the era of what I call the “wet sock wake-ups” if you are a boy mom (that's a moment no mother is fully prepared for a puddle of someone else's bodily fluids being your good morning kiss). When you do encounter it I hope you look back to this moment and have a little giggle instead of losing your “shit”, tempting as it can be first thing in the morning while you try to figure out how it's even possible to get pee in those places or if maybe they stood in the middle of the bathroom and just hoped for the best🤷‍♀️.

I bought this sign in my first apartment pre-baby days so its well worn, but it's had pride of place ever since. (does it help?! Nope but it give most guests a good giggle).

10. Use Special Books or Videos:

Read potty training books with your little ones such as:Peppa pigs: Georges Potty (with sounds),

Paw Patrol: Potty Patrol,

Everybody Poos By Taro Gomi

there are also a lot of videos to watch together on YouTube such as:Peppa Pigs: Potty Training

Sesame Streets: Potty Time There are many more that explains the process and makes it fun. This can help your child understand and feel excited about using the potty or for Moms there are videos such as:Potty training hacks.

Invest in a potty training guide for parents such as:The First Time Parents Guide To Potty Training By Dr. Jazmine McCoy

Potty Training In One Week By Gina Ford ( sidenote: I love Gina Fords Books on parenting and I'm not saying it will only take one week… But I do think it offers some great practical tips and advice for parents).

Oh Crap! Potty Training By Jamie Glowacki offers some humour and great advice for first-time parents as Jamie herself says “do it once and do it right”.

11. Bedtime Strategies:

Consider using training pants or placing a waterproof sheet on your child's bed during the night, even when they are successful at staying dry during the day, night-time can be a whole different stage in itself, (I could probably dedicate a blog post to it as a topic alone). It is around the same time as your little one is adjusting from a crib to a toddler bed and I would give them the necessary time to adapt to all these new “big kid” changes before tackling this one.

But a few things I will say about it are:

~Wait until your little one is showing signs of readiness such as being consistently dry for a minimum of 3/4 nights in a row or you notice them waking to inform you they are wet or need to use the toilet.

~Avoid giving them a lot to drink close to bedtime or if you know it's been a busy day and they are more likely to sleep through lay a towel or plastic sheet underneath them.

~I would sleepwalk my Boys to the toilet about the time I'd be going to bed, just incase  they needed to go, this gets them used to waking up to go to the bathroom and then going back to bed afterwards. (upgrade that baby-proofing to toddler-proofing they develop ninja-like escape skills now they have the freedom to roam while mum and dad sleep) double-check doors and stair gates are still doing the job some may be more of a hazardous then helpful at this stage.

~Patience There will be accidents and your washing pile will feel never-ending and the smell of urine will become the new daily scent. There were many mornings during those days I wasn't sure if was it me, the child or just the house that smelt funny I'm sure it was all 3 of us some mornings.

~ Persevere Your little one  may sail through it in the beginning and then suddenly you  feel like they are going backwards this is perfectly normal and we just try again, they will get it eventually. Persevere

~ Finally Introduce separate Night goals and rewards for the number of nights they can reach.

There is no shame in changing your little one and laying a towel or 2 over a wet bed at 3am and going back to sleep some nights it's just too much, especially when you're not even sure there are any clean sheets left  (let's face it your making nobody else's job but your own more difficult just at a more reasonable hour so who is it hurting) not all will agree but I'm all for avoiding toddler and Mom breakdowns especially at ‘stupid o’clock’ in the morning.

12. Stay Consistent Outside the Home:

Time to upgrade the Nappy bag!! We are switching out the nappies and bottles but don't let it fool you~ you will probably pack more now than ever before into that bag.

Try to Maintain the same routines and practices to reinforce the potty training habits.

Toilet training is one of those times when being at home or an area the child is comfortable is going to be the most convenient. Your world will seem like it revolves around toilet trips, reminders and accidents and if I'm being honest it does for now, at least until your little ones get the hang of it.

If you do need to leave the house try placing an old pillow or towel inside a plastic bag, then wrap it in another old pillowcase or towel and use it in car seats, high chairs and buggies to save soiling them, in turn, it provides a plastic bag for the soiled clothing if there are accidents (never leave home without a spare one).

Always leave the house equipped with spares down to the shoes, also throw in a change for yourself, there is nothing quite as humbling as carrying your soiled child to the closet restroom getting them changed head to toe in fresh clothes, only to walk back out yourself in a pee soaked t-shirt.

Be prepared for toilet breaks to be your new hobby no matter where ye are going for the foreseeable. My youngest still uses the “I need to Pee” card if he wants to stop off somewhere while we are driving. (very rarely does he actually need to he simply wants something in the shop).  Moms can't say No to bodily functions, can we?!

13. Keep a Positive Attitude :( infront of your todder feel free to lose it in private)

Remember that every child is unique, and some may take longer to master potty training. Stay positive, be patient, and provide continuous support and encouragement. It's all trial and error and can be disheartening when you've been doing great and suddenly they revert back to refusing and wanting a nappy on ( don't give up) gently explain to them it's no more nappies, pile on the praise for how well they've been doing and then offer a distraction and eventually, they will be pros at everything but aim and wiping themselves correctly but that is a battle even I'm still losing.

You're not alone,any Parent you talk to will have a tail to entertain and words to support you on your journey.

When My oldest was learning we had a trip out and to my horror the child who flat-out refused to use a potty or a toilet whipped down his pants and peed up against the tree in the middle of the park, luckily every other parent there got it and had a great laugh. Of course, he was oblivious to the commotion caused( My father taught him that trick the weekend before when we were in the woods and he thought it would help the process).😅

Some children may use the potty just fine for one and not the other in some cases they will point-blank refuse. 

***Final Tip*** (And yes it can end badly but it works!) Is to give them a bath, this is a natural way to get the bowels moving and a quick switch from Bath to potty can be enough to teach them it's not that scary. 

**Heads up** As a mom you will at one stage or another have to fish Poop out of your bathtub its pretty much a given.

If your little one is struggling with constipation a bath would be my first natural recommendation always! There are many more but that's a different post😅. And always remember it's no big deal ( your reaction to NATURAL BODY FUCTIONS will determine how your child reacts.)

Potty training can be a challenging journey, but with these tips, you're well-equipped to support your child through this milestone. Remember it's all about Practice, Patience, Perseverance and Repetition and celebrating successes.

Most importantly you may be supermom but you're not super human ‼️ Everyone needs a minute sometimes it's okay and necessary to walk away and take a breather even if it's just to scream and cuss in private.

Before you know it, your little one will be proudly using the potty like a pro. Good luck, Mom—you've got this!!