Maybe we just got lucky with Gabe. He was potty trained at home (nights and all) in less than a week, and fully trained in less than ten days.
Maybe we just have an easy child, I don’t know. Some of you who have struggled with this are probably thinking that right now.
But there are a few things we did that I think really helped us have the good experience that we did. They definitely hastened the process!
First of all, be SURE your child is old enough and understands enough to start potty training – and then wait a little more! I don’t think it hurt a thing that we were just too busy and waited to start until Gabe was 2 1/2.
1. Punishment and Reward
For the first two days all we did was clean up accidents. But then the first time he managed to get a little bit in his potty and he got a piece of candy for it, that was the clincher. Reward the behavior you want and once you know they know what is expected, punish when it doesn’t happen. Consistency is key. Don’t let your feelings keep you from it or your child will keep having accidents.
You might want to get some skittles or m&ms before beginning training. All we had in the house were lollipops and jaw breakers and tootsie rolls. LARGE pieces. Gabe spent the first week on a sugar high.
2. No Pull-ups!
We found that using pull-ups made Gabe go backward and lose his training because it wasn’t a big deal when he would have an accident and we weren’t as vigilant to ask him if he needed to use the potty.
This was especially true with going away. We would put a pull-up on him when we left, because who wants an accident in the car seat or in public?
But then he learned that sometimes he could go in his pants and it wasn’t a problem. He began having accidents at home as well until we cut out pull-ups entirely and just dealt with a couple accidents in the store and church until he learned. It didn’t take long.
3. Get a child’s potty
I highly recommend this! You can usually find them at thrift stores for cheap, and it takes the pressure off you to have to rush them to the potty.
Put them in pants with elastic (or no pants at all) and teach them to take themselves to the potty and do their business. It will save you a world of time and hassle.
There have been a few accidents when Gabe hasn’t quite made it to the potty, but one thing is for sure – it sure beats changing all those diapers!
We have only trained one so far. What are some things you did with your children? Comment below or shoot me an email! I’d love to hear from you!