5 Helpful Tips on How to Potty Train

We live in an age where information is at our fingertips. We order groceries online. Research the best car for our family in a few clicks. Share pictures and videos with our family and friends.

And we can go online to learn tips for potty training our children, but sometimes…well, things don’t go as planned.

That’s because all the online ordering, research and sharing we do is under our control. Throw a toddler in the mix and things can become unpredictable and off-schedule in a heartbeat, filled with tears and tantrums. Children, who think – and behave – independently also have bodies that develop differently.

Try Not to Compare

But when daycare requires that your child be potty trained and it feels like he's the only one in the class who isn't? Pressure can mount to have your child reach this milestone, too. What happens when the rewards and books and encouragement just aren’t working?

We’re going to be very gentle here when we say that parents can’t enforce a timeline. Potty training happens at different ages, for different children, in their own time. But to be successful, it's nice to have tips to start with.

Here are 5 tips to help:

1. Know the signs that your child is ready. They include telling you before it’s time to go, staying dry for two or more hours while wearing a diaper, and asking to wear “big kid” underwear.
2. If potty training isn’t working with one parent, let the other parent (or a grandparent or babysitter) take the lead. This is not a failure on the part of the first parent; rather, a new dynamic can “jump start” the process.
3. Regression is normal and doesn’t last long. When accidents occur, gently reassure your child that she’ll do better next time.
4. Hold off – for now. If potty training isn’t working, stop. Stop talking about it with your child. Stop putting him on the potty seat. Refocus on life outside the bathroom to provide a much-needed break and relieve stress.
5. Offer control in other areas. If your child is resisting efforts to be potty trained, let her choose what to wear. Provide two choices for lunch. As you provide choices, your child may be less inclined to resist potty training.

Your child will master potty training when she’s ready – we promise! It’s a developmental skill that has nothing to do with her intelligence, your plan, or what progress her friends have, or haven’t made, toward potty training. If it’s not working right now, relax, take some time off and enjoy your child’s company doing other activities together.

Check out our library of potty training articles for plenty of helpful tips!