Ready to potty train a toddler? Learn tips for what not to do when potty training toddlers.
Potty Training Toddlers
There are many articles on the Internet about how to train your toddler to use the potty, but what about tips of what not to do when potty training your toddler?
Here’s what I learned in the process of training my kids to use the potty and other obvious tips.
This post contains affiliate links.
Don’t start too early, but don’t start too late.
There are some parents out there who have their two month old sitting over a potty, waiting for him/her to just let loose and go in the potty. Yes, they use the potty, but do they understand the concept of using the potty on their own? Um, my guess would be not likely.
Potty training is about independence, not about marking it as an achievement milestone.
On the other hand, you don’t want to start the training process too late either. Do you want to change a bombed out diaper created by an outlandishly active three or four year old? Trust me; you don’t.
The average age to start potty training is around 18 months. Why? The toddler has the ability to move on his/her own, to pull pants up and down, to realize what’s happening in the body and to possibly verbalize the need to go.
Don’t make potty training a chore.
If potty training is going to be like a harsh boot camp, the likelihood that a toddler will be successful is zero to none. Instead of being meanie drill sergeant barking orders, try being an enthusiastic coach instead.
Make potty training something a toddler would want to do versus something he/she has to do. Do a potty dance and practice it with your toddler. Encourage her/him to do the business with a fun cheer: ‘Push it out, shove it out, waaaaayyyy out!’ (You’ll understand some day when your child refuses to go….A parent has to do what a parent has to do.)
Don’t forget to teach your toddler about the tools needed to go potty.
This one may sound weird, but it’s necessary. Basically, you show how a potty lid goes up and down, how the flushing mechanism works, how much toilet paper should be used, and where to put the toilet paper.
All of this you can start showing your toddler even before you start to train her/him so that when the time is right he/she is already familiar with the tools necessary to go potty.
Do not, under any circumstances, leave a toddler completely alone when using the potty.
There are several reasons for this. I’ll start with the serious one: a child can drown in under an inch of water.
Yikes, right?
If your toddler uses a small potty seat on top of the regular toilet, he/she might get curious (what kid doesn’t?) and try to peek inside the toilet bowl to see what’s going on. If he/she slips in while you are not there, it could be a serious matter, one I hope no parent ever encounters.
The next reason you should never leave a toddler completely alone when using the potty is this: an artistic rendering of bodily fluids and fecal matter.
‘Hmm. I’m totally alone’ thinks the toddler. ‘What can I do with this thing I have created in my potty? Ah, yes! An artistic masterpiece. That will surely make Mommy and Daddy very proud of me!’
I’m going to leave you alone with that thought. Enough said.
The last reason you should never leave a toddler alone while using the potty is this: the trail. Say your toddler goes, excuse me, number 2 but then gets up and goes exploring while not clean.
Got that image in your head? Okay, good. Let’s move on.
Don’t try too many methods all at once.
Imagine this: your boss has given you an assignment, and he/she wants it done the ABC way. The next day he/she changes his/her mind and now wants everything done the DEF way. The next day he/she decides the DEF way wasn’t too bad, but that you should mix in a little of the GHI way with the DEF way.
Get it? Confused? I bet. That’s how your toddler would feel if you changed potty training methods too often.
Give a method (i.e. not wearing any diapers out in the yard) a week or more to work. If it doesn’t, transition to a different method (i.e. potty training charts), but be consistent with whatever method you finally choose.
Which brings be to my next point….
Don’t be inconsistent with potty training.
Once you decide to start, consider it a no going back moment. Remind your toddler often about using the potty (in the morning upon awakening, after his/her cup of juice, after all meals, etc.). Stick with your methods as mentioned above.
If you are out and about, remind your toddler that he/she can still use the potty. If you go on vacation, keep up the training. Any time you stop the training, the toddler takes a step back and might revert to going in his/her diaper again or having more accidents.
Don’t forget to be a positive role model.
If you are already a parent of a toddler or have a few kids, you’ll completely understand this one. There inevitably will be times when you are not alone when you are using the potty…ahem…I mean toilet. Once kids are mobile, they follow you everywhere.
Since they’re there, you might as well teach them how to properly wipe down the seat or how to immediately wash your hands after flushing.
How to Know if Your Toddler is Ready for Potty Training
Are You Ready for Potty Training?
I wish you all the luck in the world when you and your toddler decide to tackle potty training. It can be a messy business, but if you’re consistent, you’ll have a potty trained pro in no time!
READ NEXT: How to Handle a Temper Tantrum in Public
Lauren says
I love this post, mainly because I am struggling so hard to get my toddler son potty trained. He just refuses to go! I know it will happen but will use these things NOT to do.
Jen says
Kids really do love to follow you into the toilet lol. I agree to use this time as a teachable moment. They imitate what we do and using the toilet is no exception. For both of my sons, this helped a lot!
Marissa says
Yes they do, lol. Most kids learn best by example!
Lauren says
It’s been so hard to potty train my son! He just isn’t ready yet, and I don’t want to push it. He is already 3 so I feel like it’s time, but my goal is to have him potty trained by the spring/summer
Marissa says
Good luck! My oldest three were trained before three, but my youngest was almost three and a half before she decided she was totally ready. Within a week she was trained.
Jennie Mayes says
Potty training can definitely be overwhelming for the child and the parent. These are some great tips here.
Marissa says
Yes, it can definitely get overwhelming. Glad you liked these tips. 🙂
Adriane says
Very encouraging tips for mamas. I think keeping it simple, positive and consistent is all key to potty training!
Marissa says
Glad you found it encouraging!
Maria Yakimchuk says
Great tips. I do have to say that sometimes you run into a super head strong toddler (aka my son) and he will only potty train when he’s ready (3.5 years old). So definitely don’t think it’s ever too late and the only way it’s too late is your toddler will just go on their own. But with someone more agreeable it’s definitely better to start early. And yes, always keep it positive. We made it into a chore and it sucked for everyone.
Marissa says
Yeah, kids just unfortunately don’t respond well to tasks that feel like chores. Best wishes!
Christine says
Oy my son is getting close to potty training time and I am so not ready to deal with it LOL. I mean I don’t want to change his diapers but potty training is just stressful to me. I will definitely be following the advice shared here though!
Marissa says
Good luck!!
Rikki Ridgeway says
I think the biggest thing for me, when I tried the second time was that I had created my potty training plan and stuck to it, every single time my daughter went potty. Three days later, she was potty trained.
Marissa says
Consistency definitely helps!
may palacpac says
I honestly didn’t have too much problems potty training my kids. I dunnow why. For the two younger kids, it must be because they saw their brother do it.
Marissa says
You’re lucky, I guess!
Akshaya @ Cabinet of thoughts says
Thanks for letting us know. I am going to try this weekend.
Marissa says
Good luck!