Easy Beginning Potty Training Routine

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I’ve potty trained 3 children now. Each kid was different, but I’ve found that having a potty training routine is key to success. It helps me be consistent and it teaches my child what to expect when it comes to going on the potty.

There are some signs that my kids are ready to use the potty. It was different for everyone of my children. For my first child, it was her verbal capabilities. She had a great vocabulary and loved talking about opposites; hot, cold; light, dark; dry, wet. She has a squirrel training personality and was always very busy. With some of my other children, it was a desire to use the potty like their siblings. That is the case with my 4th child that I am potty training. He asked to used the potty one day and so I put him on it. Although he didn’t go the first time, I knew it was good for him to see that there was nothing to be afraid of. He is like a turtle, slow to change and has a will of steel! Find out which type potty training character your child is at this link.

After a few times of asking to use the potty, he finally went #2. Although, he seems to be weary of going pee for some reason! So I decided to start my easy potty training routine to get him comfortable with the whole idea of going pee on the potty.

Beginning Potty Training Routine

Before I start potty training, I always have a few supplies on hand to make it a little easier for everyone and a little bit more fun. Some of my supplies are; a new toy or book; salty snacks for rewards; juice; potty seat; Pull-Ups® Learning Designs®. Some people like to use underwear right away, but I don’t like the mess.

My son loves cars so I got him the Pixar’s Cars Lightning McQueen characters at Walmart. Each diaper has a fun design that will disappear when wet. I love the easy open sides that don’t tear. That way I can reuse the diaper if it isn’t wet and we can pull it off quickly without having to worry. Plus, they are now 10% stretchier to help my son pull them on all by himself, which he is determined to do, every time. Learn more about Pull-Ups® Learning Designs® available at Walmart.

 

Our potty training routine starts when I have 3 solid days to work with my child without trips or interruptions like guests or appointments. It goes something like this:

1. In the morning, I wake my child up to go on the potty. This is important because that is the most common time for my child to go pee. If my son wakes up before me, he usually goes in his diaper.
2. When he is on the potty, he gets a special toy or book that he doesn’t normally get to use. I buy a new one just for the occasion. This helps keep his attention so he sits longer and is more likely to go. Sometimes we sing songs, or play his favorite app on my phone. Whatever it takes to get him to sit on the potty for at least 5 minutes. After I think he is done or he asks to be all done, he gets to wipe and flush and we celebrate. It doesn’t matter if he goes or not. The potty should be a fun time and so I’m always grateful and excited for him.
3. He doesn’t get a special snack or treat for going. During the day, I check his diaper, and give him a treat for being dry. I set the alarm on my phone for 45 minutes to check him and try to go on the potty. Throughout the day, I’m always asking him if he is dry or if he needs to go on the potty. Staying consistent is the key!

Potty Training Tips

If you think your child is having a hard time understanding what is wet and what is dry, you can do a simple experiment. Grab some cotton balls and get a few wet. Give them to your child in two piles and take their hand to show them which pile is dry and which is wet. See if they can point or touch which pile is which.

Give them a treat if you need to. If they have used the potty before, but now you are seeing resistance, give them a special treat after using the potty one time even if they don’t go. After that, explain that they don’t get a treat until they pee on the potty. No pee, no treat.

Other activities to do on the potty: If the book or the new toy wasn’t enough, you can sing songs, blow bubbles, make sticker art, color, or even get some silly puddy!

If you try your potty training routine for 3 days, making sure you’re consistent, but your child is still not going in the potty, take a break for a few weeks and then try again.

What does your potty training routine look like? Find more potty training tips from Pull-Ups® here.