Potty training is one of the major milestones of parenting – one that many parents eagerly look forward to. Changing diapers day after day and year after year can get exhausting. Many parents wonder how to potty train a toddler. There are certainly many potty training methods out there. Today I am here to tell you how to successfully potty train a toddler – without training! Read on to learn how you can easily potty train your toddler, no actual training involved.
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How to Potty Train a Toddler – Determining Readiness
The first step in successful and simple potty training is making sure your baby or toddler is actually ready for this huge step. Many parents rush this in an effort to be done with the diapering phase – but often this results in extra stress on both parent and child. It might even result in later regression or downright failure. If you want to simply and easily potty train your child, the first step is to make sure they are ready!
So how can you tell when your child is ready for potty training? Here are some common signs to watch out for.
- Your child lets you know when they need a diaper change. They may say things like “all wet” or “poo poo”
- Your child may begin to seek privacy when going potty, especially when pooping
- You may notice your toddler trying to copy things they see you do in the bathroom, such as using toilet paper to “wipe” themselves
- Your child may tell you they pooped when they haven’t – then end up pooping a few minutes later
When looking for these signs of potty training readiness, remember that each child is an individual. Some toddlers are ready to start potty training much earlier than others. And while it is possible to successfully potty train a toddler at a relatively young age – that’s not what this article is all about. We’re here to talk about how to successfully potty train a toddler without training! That means waiting until they are truly ready – even if that means they are older than you thought they would be when they finally ditch the diapers.
Related – How to Discipline a Toddler – Without Punishment!
What to Do When Your Toddler is Ready to Potty Train
So you’ve noticed some of the signs, and determined that your toddler is finally ready for potty training! That’s wonderful. Here are the next steps you can take to ensure an easy potty training jouney, without ever having to “train” your child to do anything.
- Buy a potty. Whether you choose a stand alone potty or a toilet attachment and stool is totally up to you
- Place the potty in the bathroom your family uses most. If you use more than one, buy more than one potty
- Encourage your child to explore the potty and pretend to use it – allow them to be in the bathroom with you so they can pretend to do what you do
- Talk to your child about using the potty. Explain what it’s for and the difference between diapers and underwear.
- Buy your child some fun underwear and get them excited about the time when they will wear those instead of a diaper
How to Potty Train a Toddler – What Not to Do
So if you’ve read this far I’m going to assume you’re somewhat like me. You want to get potty training over with, but you don’t want it to be some huge ordeal. If we’re on the same page here, read on for the things you should definitely NOT do!
- Don’t create any reward system. You don’t need sticker charts, prizes, bribes, anything like that at all. Using the potty is just part of life – nobody needs a reward for it
- Make sure there are no negative associations with normal bodily functions. This starts as a young age. Don’t use shame or you’re setting yourself up for a lot of hard work to reverse the damage.
- Don’t force it, ever. Wait until your child is really truly ready. This is the best advice you will hear so take it to heart.
- Pull up diapers are great – even before potty training. I know I prefer them once my children are old enough to assist with getting dressed. But don’t rely on them. Once potty training begins – any kind of diapers are old news.
- The only exception is at night. Many children are capable of potty training for daytime well before they are ready for nightime.
- Don’t let anyone pressure you! You’ve got this and there is no exact age that any child needs to be potty trained (unless there is some requirement with a class you wish to enroll your child in)
So Your Toddler is Finally Ready to Potty Train – Now What?
If you’ve followed my advice so far – you’re in luck. This is actually the easiest part. If you’ve been wondering how to potty train your toddler – here is the meat of it. And it’s easier than you could ever imagine!
- Decide on the day to ditch the diapers and then do it! No going back (except possibly at night)
- Make sure it’s a day without any plans where you can just be home and devote most of your attention to potty training your toddler
- Ask your toddler often if they need to use the potty – and rush them there whenever they think they may be
- Even if they don’t suggest it – bring them to the potty often throughout the day
- They need not yet have the ability to dress or undress themselves – accompanying them to the potty and helping them with their clothes is totally fine (and still easier than diapers)
- No matter what – do NOT go back to diapers. Accidents will happen for the first few days so staying close to home is preferable.
- Keep a potty in the car for roadside stops when a bathroom may not be accessible.
- Remember – no shaming whatsoever! When the inevitable accident happens, don’t make a big deal of it. Just clean them up and move on.
I promise if you have waited until your child is really ready to use the potty, this process will take mere days. You might still have work to do for nigh-time potty training and there will be accidents at first. In my opinion, the few accidents you may have to deal with are far easier than making some long drawn out process out of potty training!
I hope these tips will help you and your child to make potty training a simple and stress free process!
