Potty training is one of those milestones that sounds exciting in theory but quickly becomes overwhelming when you’re knee-deep in accidents, power struggles, and endless trips to the bathroom. I know because I’ve been there. The potty training process wasn’t a simple three-day success for us—it was a journey filled with trial and error, a few tears (from both of us), and ultimately, a lot of lessons learned. If you’re in the trenches, feeling frustrated and unsure of what to do next, I want you to know—you are not alone.
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The Potty Training Struggle is Real
I’m here to share what worked for us, the mistakes we made, and the potty training tips that truly helped. I’ll also dive into common struggles, how to handle setbacks, and the best tools to make potty training smoother. Let’s take this one step at a time because, trust me, it does get better!
We used this book as our guide:
Understanding the Potty Training Process
Before jumping into the best potty training method, it’s important to understand that every child is different. Some kids show readiness signs early, while others take longer. The American Academy of Pediatrics suggests that most children are ready between 18-24 months, but some may not be fully trained until closer to 3 or even 4 years old.
Signs of Readiness:
- Your child stays dry for longer periods.
- They show interest in the toilet or potty chair.
- They can communicate when they need to go.
- They dislike the feeling of a wet or dirty diaper.
- They can follow simple instructions.
If your child is showing these signs, you’re ready to start the potty training journey!
Step-by-Step Guide to Potty Training Success
Step 1: Set the Right Expectations
I made the mistake of thinking my child would be fully potty trained in a weekend. Spoiler alert: that didn’t happen. It’s important to understand that accidents will happen, and progress is not always linear. Accepting this from the beginning will help you stay patient.
Step 2: Choose a Potty Training Method
There are several potty training methods, but here are the most common ones:
- The 3-Day Method: A super-focused approach where you ditch the diapers and dedicate three days to potty training.
- Gradual Potty Training: Slowly introducing the potty over weeks or months with positive reinforcement.
- Scheduled Potty Breaks: Using a potty training timer or new potty watch to remind your child when it’s time to go.
I found that a combination of the scheduled potty breaks and gradual potty training worked best for us. The Kidnovations Premium Potty Training Watch was a great help because it had a countdown timer that reminded my child when it was potty time.
Step 3: Create a Potty Training Schedule
We started with potty breaks at 90-minute intervals and gradually stretched them longer as my child gained better bladder control. Setting a schedule helped reduce accidents and made potty time feel like an important activity rather than a hassle.
A sample schedule looked like this:
- Morning potty time after waking up
- Potty breaks every 90 minutes during the day
- Before and after nap time
- Before bedtime
Consistency was key!
Step 4: Use Positive Reinforcement
We used a sticker chart and small rewards for motivation. Every time my child successfully used the potty, they got to put a sticker on their chart. After five stickers, they got a little prize—nothing big, just a fun game or extra bedtime story.
Other reward ideas:
- Clapping and cheering (sometimes, simple praise is all they need!)
- Letting them flush the toilet (kids love this!)
- Potty-trained whiz certificate (print one out for fun!)
Step 5: Handle Accidents with Grace
Accidents are inevitable. When they happened, I took a deep breath and reminded myself that my reaction would shape how my child felt about potty training. Instead of getting frustrated, I calmly said, “Oops! Accidents happen. Let’s clean up and try again next time.”
Having plenty of underwear on hand was a lifesaver. We also used training pants at night until my child was fully ready for overnight potty training.
Step 6: Nighttime Training
Nighttime dryness takes longer to master. We continued using a nighttime diaper or pull-ups until my child was consistently dry in the morning. We also limited fluid intake before bedtime and made sure they used the potty before sleeping.
Potty Training Just for Dads
When we started toilet training, I quickly realized how important it was to have my husband involved in the process. Potty training isn’t just a “mom thing”—having both of us on board made a huge difference. From the very first day, he took on potty breaks like a champ, making sure our little one had plenty of reminders without making it feel like a chore. He kept things lighthearted, turning every attempt into a celebration, which helped ease the potty training blues for all of us.
One of the best things he did was embrace the latest trends in potty training, especially when it came to finding tools that actually worked. The ultimate potty training companion for him? A potty watch! It took the guesswork out of when to remind our toddler to go, making potty breaks feel more like an exciting routine instead of something we constantly had to enforce. He also found creative ways to tie potty time into other important activities, like reading a quick story or singing a silly song while our toddler sat on the potty.
What I appreciated most was that he never stressed over the amount of time it was taking. While I sometimes worried about setbacks, he kept reminding me that every small success was a step forward. His patience and encouragement helped keep things positive, and honestly, our child responded so well to his approach. Seeing him take an active role in potty training made the entire process feel more manageable—and even fun at times!
Overcoming Potty Training Challenges
Struggle #1: My Child Refuses to Sit on the Potty
Some kids are scared of the toilet. We made it more comfortable by letting my child pick out their own little potty and placing it in a familiar spot. We also read books about potty training to make it seem fun!
Another trick that worked for us was letting my child decorate their potty with stickers. This made it feel special and exciting. I also kept a basket of small toys near the potty, so sitting down wasn’t boring. If fear of flushing was an issue, I showed them how it worked and reassured them that nothing scary would happen.
Struggle #2: My Child Won’t Tell Me When They Have to Go
This is where a potty training timer was a game-changer. The vibration setting on our Athena Futures Watch reminded my child when it was time to go without me constantly nagging.
In addition to the watch, I kept an eye on body language cues—wiggling, crossing legs, or hiding in a corner often meant it was time. I also praised my child when they told me they had to go, even if we didn’t make it in time. Building confidence was more important than avoiding accidents.
Struggle #3: Lots of Accidents and No Progress
If accidents kept happening, we took a step back. Sometimes, kids just aren’t ready yet, and that’s okay! We paused for a few weeks and tried again later with a fresh approach.
To keep things positive, I changed up our strategy. Instead of focusing on dry underwear, I made a game out of staying dry between potty breaks. We also switched up rewards—sometimes, trying a new watch or introducing a potty-training-friendly doll helped my child regain interest. Patience and adaptability were key.
Essential Potty Training Tools
- Potty chair or child-friendly toilet seat
- Step stool for easy toilet access
- Potty training watch with a countdown timer
- Sticker chart for motivation
- Training pants for easy cleanups
FAQ: Potty Training Questions Moms Ask
1. How long does potty training take?
It varies! Some kids pick it up in a few days, while others take weeks or months. The key is patience and consistency. Most children are fully trained within 3-6 months, but nighttime training can take longer.
2. Should I use pull-ups or go straight to underwear?
It depends on your child. If they understand the concept quickly, underwear may work best. However, pull-ups can help prevent messes in the beginning stages, especially at night.
3. What’s the best potty training method?
There’s no one-size-fits-all approach. The best method is the one that fits your child’s personality and your family’s routine. A mix of scheduled potty breaks and positive reinforcement worked best for us.
4. What if my child is resistant to potty training?
Take a break and try again in a few weeks. Forcing it can lead to frustration. Offer gentle encouragement, use fun tools like a potty watch, and make it a positive experience.
5. How do I potty train an older child?
Older kids might resist more because they’re set in their ways. Keep it low-pressure, use rewards, and remind them that big kids use the potty. A waterproof watch with a vibration feature can also be a great tool!
Potty training is hard work, but it’s just another phase in your child’s journey toward independence. There will be setbacks, but with patience, the right tools, and a little humor, you will get through it.
If you’re struggling, don’t worry—you’re not alone! Keep going, celebrate the small wins, and know that one day, you’ll look back on this stage and realize how far your child has come. You’ve got this, mama!
