Firstly, I need to mention I actually hate the word potty yet I use it a kajilion times a day. It makes me cringe every. single. time. I use it. But, yeah, whatever.
George is three and a bit + we have been “dabbling” with the potty for a while. I am a firm believer on not enforcing my children to do something if they are clearly uninterested or not ready–the logic behind it is simple. It would be wayyyy more work for me + I would get little to no cooperation from him. And, if I want potty training to actually work, it needs to come from a place of excitement and enthusiasm. We all know that when we are excited about something, we are more likely to do it and do it often, right?! Well, that’s where my parenting logic is.
GBB has been really interested in poop + being naked for quite some time so that helped LOL. Like, for real, if I would sit down and talk to him about poop all day I think he would be the happiest kid on the block. With that being said, this summer we used every opportunity to really let him be naked in the backyard/pee outside, but also reach for the toilet when and if he wanted. He is very used to coming into the bathroom with me (honestly, I have zero idea when the last time I was alone was…) so he sees me use the toilet + of course, he is very interested in having toilet/bathroom dad chats when Hubs comes home. I think this has helped tremendously because Aaron is his hero + he wants to do everything his daddy does, so yay for using the toilet!
Although we are not fully potty-trained yet, I felt compelled to share some tips + tricks at this moment in this very messy and often frustrating adventure. Because, it is frustrating. Some days, there are zero accidents. Some days, there is a straight refusal to wear his paw patrol undies. Some days, I am cleaning accidents up as quickly as possible because little sis is crawling everywhere + lord knows she isn’t going to stop her boogying because of pee. It’s so gross, I don’t even want to go there.
So. Here are a few tips and tricks that have been working for us over here in the Bowman household + I really need to preface this again by saying–WE ARE NOT FULLY POTTY-TRAINED OVER HERE (or rather, George isn’t…LOL) and I am no professional. I’m just a mom who is living and breathing this season of my life + if some of these things can help you, then, heck, I have done my dang job. SOLIDARITY SISTER.
- HEY MOM, GET YOUR HEAD IN THE GAME!
Like, for real. GET READY. Get pumped up. Get excited. Get enthusiastic! Be prepared to be equally proud + deeply frustrated. Be prepared to clean, alot. Be prepared to do a ton of laundry. Be prepared to be late for everything–or, if you’re like us, even more late (I NEED TO WORK ON THIS–I USED TO BE A PUNCTUAL QUEEN!). Get yourself so thrilled to be teaching your child another step towards independence and get those pompoms ready. Like, I’m talking dancing, singing, trumpets, and a good ol’ marching band. - MAKE THE TIME.
This comes with number one. You need to understand two key things here: you need to make the time to set your child up for success–as you know, being consistent with your child is what is going to help gently guide them to getting potty-trained. Additionally, you need to understand that this takes time. It doesn’t have to take forever, obviously, and all kids are different–heck, I know some children who were out of diapers before they were 2. It’s possible. I mean, that child is a total freak, but whatever. JOKES. Oh lord, I’m so kidding. That child was ready to use the potty! And with all things parent-related (and I’m sure I’ll say this throughout this post), DO NOT JUDGE YOUR CHILD TO OTHERS + DO NOT JUDGE YOURSELF WITH OTHER MAMAS/DADDIES). Don’t do this. It helps no one. - DITCH THE DIAPERS.
When we got home from our East Coast RV Adventure, we knew that our heads were in the game + with George’s agreement and enthusiasm, we decided to ditch the daytime diapers/pull-ups (minus nap/bed time). That was it! No more daytime diapers! We sang about it. We shouted it! We high-fived. George gave us the thumbs up. Everything was all good in the world…I’m writing this + he is currently wearing a pull-up. It is 11:27am. I’ll get into this in a second… - DO NOT FORCE YOUR CHILD ON THE POTTY.
Or in our case, do not force your child to wear underwear if he really doesn’t want to or feel comfortable (and I’m not talking like a little sad about it or protesting it, I’m saying full-blown upset). It’s going to do no good to upset your child. Luckily, I am home so I can help guide him to the potty with or without a pull-up. But I have had my fair share of battles with George about using the potty–this is where I would get really frustrated. Like, dudeeee you used the potty for three days straight with no accidents and now you refuse to wear your undies + are in distress about wearing a pull-up!? Friends, this MAKES NO SENSE to me but y’all, it makes sense to him so I respectfully put him in a pull-up but still do all my regular pottynaggingasking. Your child will get there. Your child will start to use the potty regularly. Andddd before you blink, they’ll be in college + not wearing diapers sooo…no stress. - CHECK FOR POTTY CUES.
This one is KEY but also makes me laugh because kids are so silly. Like, GBB, I know when you’ve gone all quiet in a room and you’re pressed up against my couch that you are FULLY peeing. Or when you come up to me shyly + say “hi mom”, I know you’ve left a little surprise in that pull-up. I know it. I smell it. Let’s handle it asap. SO. I think we all know the telltale signs–sudden quiet, hiding, and the dance. You know the one. We’ve all been there. And hey, my son is so good at it. Stay alert moms! - SET A TIMER.
I actually read this tip somewhere on Pinterest so I cannot take the credit–although if it works for you, I’ll happily take it LOL–set a timer. Set a timer for every 30 minutes + ask your potty trainer to try sitting on the potty and practising. Chances are they have to use the toilet and if they don’t, it atleast gives them more of a chance to hang on the throne and get used to it. I am constantly telling George that he doesn’t even need to go but the fact that he is trying or practising is an incredible job well done. I really ramp up the cheerleading too “GIMME A G, YOU GOT YOUR G, YOU GOT YOUR G…” and he’s all like the popular kid who’s like “mom. stop”…ANYWAY. - BIG KID UNDIES.
This was easily the thing that George was most excited about. We bought a fewhundredpairs of underwear for George that was Paw Patrol themed. I would highly suggest getting pairs for your little ones that have characters that they love + heck, go the extra mile and have them choose the undies that they want to wear now that they are big kids! I get much more co-operation from George if he has a say + has worked alongside me to choose his clothes/make his snack etc. Also, I cannot fail to mention that pull-ups are easily one of my favourite toddler product. No, this is not sponsored but they have been serious life-savers. Much easier than diapers and I think the very perfect gradient into getting fully into underwear day + night. Oh, and there are these incredible flushable wipes that are incredible when you’re helping to wipe a booty. - REWARDS.
This goes without saying. I mean, who doesn’t love a good reward. And please–learn from me, START SMALL. Do not promise full-size donuts + kinder eggs. Ha, I’m sort of kidding but my intention is this: start small because otherwise you will have spent a kajilion dollars on treats that are HUGE + totally not what you want to start your day off with. Sugar pulsing through your toddler’s veins at 7am. MY BIGGEST NIGHTMARE. You know what your kid likes so run with that. I’ve had mama friends who have done mini chocolate chips or mini marshmallows, extra screen time, stickers, etc. Heck, I wish I had started with stickers…the good news is the more that GBB used the potty (and uses it!) the less he asks about his treat. So, that’s a win + a half.
Clearly I am not a professional but I thought as I am living this in real time, there is no better time to share and shine a light on this sometimes incredibly daunting adventure. You may have potty trained a child before but consider each time you potty train a new kid as though it’s a new learning experience–cut yourself some slack. The beauty of every child being different + individual, amiright?!
And please mamas, remember practice patience + grace with your little ones and yourself too! It can be a lot of work + it can be disheartening + messy and just downright gross. But, I’m with you sister. I. AM. WITH. YOU.
XO