Are you thinking about potty training your kids?
As a preschool teacher for over 10 years and a Mom to two kids, I’ve picked up some potty training tips that really work. These tips are how to set kids up for success before you even start. I’m going to share 5 easy tips that you can start with your kids today that will make all of the difference!
Hi and welcome to Happily Ever Mom!
We’re here to talk about all things potty training. You might have stumbled onto this post about 5 Potty Training Must-Do’s Before You Even Start if:
- You haven’t started potty training yet.
- You’ve potty trained once, but you need inspiration.
- You have a child who’s showing interest in potty training, but you aren’t ready to start yet.
Is that you?
Then this is exactly where you should be!
My 5 tips are what I call our “potty training ground work” or the things that kids need to be able to do before they can potty on their own.
But, before we get to that, we’ve got to start with this…
You have to have a few potty training supplies.
POTTY TRAINING MUST-HAVES (The Supply List)
These are affiliate links to Amazon <—psst…there’s no extra cost to you, but this helps my blog to run – Thank you! – read my disclosure if you want more info.
- We invested in this potty training chair because of the high back and pee guard. It’s been great for out little girl and our little boy AND it’s easy to clean!
- Grab a ring that sits on a toilet too because you don’t know what your child will like best. This potty ring is AWESOME because it has a hook to hang on the side of the toilet AND a handle that serves as a back rest!! ((genius))
- These wet bags are perfect for when you are out and your child has an accident. Just throw these in the wash along with the clothes.
- There is something about this potty training book that my kids loved in the classroom – if you can jump into the humor, it’s a great book for the kids to read!
Megan says
Thank you for this article! I had accidentally stumbled across your blog, and love your posts.
I look forward to reading more 🙂
Katie Joiner says
Thanks so much, Megan! I’m so glad you’re here!! 🙂
Tiffiny says
Thanks for the tips. I like how you called it ground work. Now I have a name to put to what we’ve been working on at our house.
Katie Joiner says
Thanks, Tiffiny! Sounds like you and I are going through the same thing with our little ones 🙂
Brittany says
As I read these I noticed I did all of these things with my first, and she was fully trained by 18 months, I accidentally skipped 2 & 3 with my second, who just was was just past 2 years when she was fully trained. I am so glad I got this little reminder as we approach my son’s 1st birthday, I pulled out the potty chair again. I think it’s important that parents know you CAN potty train without candy.
Thanks.
Katie Joiner says
YES! It’s so true, Brittany! 🙂
Max says
i work at a child development center. When we change a diapered child we always have them wash their hands after. Even though they didn’t touch anything, it encourages proper hygiene when the child is ready to use the potty. We have a few children that have been with us since infancy, we don’t have to remind them anymore about washing their hands because they’ve been doing it for so long.
Katie Joiner says
YES! Great tip, Max!
Sarah says
I like the article, but I never know when my 13 1/2 month old daughter is going to the bathroom. She doesn’t squat, she doesn’t grunt. The only way I know that she has gone is the fact that her diaper looks and feels full or it smells horrible. A lot of people have told me it is time to start potty training because she keeps taking her diaper off. The problem is she can’t tell me when she has to go. Is it too early to start?
Katie Joiner says
Have you tried letting her have her diaper off with a potty nearby? If you’re willing to clean up a few accidents, this has worked wonders for both of my kids. That way I don’t have to know when they need to go ~ they can do it on their own!
Heather says
I babysit my daughters twins girl and boy they will be 2 in Dec.When I ask I get a no.
Katie Joiner says
Hi Heather, I generally try not to ask my kids if they have to go potty. In my experience, kids say no because they get asked too often. That’s why I put out the potty so early on, so that they get the chance to go when they’re ready to use it. Sometimes I’ll ask them if they want to sit when I’m going (too much information, I know), but it really does work!
Simha says
Hi so many helpful tips but i was wondering anybody know how to potty train twin boy their only 18 months but im worried double trouble
Katie Joiner says
Hi Simha, there is an ebook at the end of this post that goes into great detail about potty training this age group. It would definitely help you get started! And, I have heard of twin Moms training one child at a time, but I don’t have any personal experience with it 🙂
Eden says
We got our daughter a potty just after she turned 2, thinking that she was ready and would soon pick up on it. She sits on it, but will not go. We never tried a structured plan because it didn’t seem worth starting until she actually went. Now we feel that maybe that was a mistake, as it’s been almost 5 months and I am about to have a baby in a week and haven’t been up to running to the potty constantly or cleaning up messes. When we do decide to make it a structured plan, I’m thinking we will have to put her in underwear right away because she has no incentive not to go in a diaper or pull-up. What did other people do? Did you keep them in Pull-ups or diapers until they were going consistently? Do you just stick them on the potty every 45 minutes? How did you make Potty training work? I’ve been reading all the comments but so many of them just seem to be bragging that their kid did it with no trouble at all, or have regressed. Is there anyone that’s done a structured plan that works?