If you find yourself knee-deep in potty training, chances are you will LOVE these potty training reminders. You will feel validated, I promise!

I have never been an overly ambitious mother, especially not when it comes to potty training. I always figured that the boys would catch on – eventually. But with Jansen (3.5) I was seriously starting to worry. He showed ZERO interest in potty training. He had SOME signs of potty training readiness, but whenever I tried he balked and refused to cooperate – in best toddler-fashion.

Does this sound vaguely familiar to you?

If so, you NEED to read my 20 potty training reminders, a message of hope from a mother of four!

(This post was updated in September of 2019 for accuracy.) 

Get ALL your potty training questions answered in one place!

Is your toddler ready for potty training? Is your child’s bedwetting normal?

Our Potty Training 101 Resource Page has ALL the potty training answers AND encouragement you need!

 

Potty Training Reminders for Hopeful Parents:

1. There WILL be accidents, LOTS of accidents.
2. Praise the effort: every attempt, even the failed ones.
3. Celebrate the successes, especially the near-misses.
4. Don’t emphasize puddles.
5. Remind them often, and then remind them again.
6. Bare bottoms are very effective.
7. Fill your diaper bag with underwear and clean pants.
8. Don’t expect dry mornings, but celebrate when you get them.
9. Do laundry and lots of it.
10. Keep a towel and plastic bags in the car.
11. Take “I need to go” VERY seriously.
12. Don’t start potty training TOO early, it WILL happen – eventually.
13. If you start and it is a REAL struggle, then stop and revisit in a month or two.
14. Take them underwear shopping.
15. Sometimes boxer briefs are the answer – they were for us!
16. Stickers, treats, coins: bribes of any kind work with some kids.
17. Sometimes bribes don’t work.
18. It doesn’t matter that your cousin’s hairdresser’s daughter-in-law’s nephew potty trained at 11 months.
19. Potty training is a family sport/ event/ effort/ cause for celebration.
20. They stress if you stress. So don’t stress!

That said, I can happily report that I took Jansen underwear shopping last Saturday. He picked out boxer briefs with pirates and sharks, but wasn’t super excited. Fast forward six days, he has not worn diapers during the day since Saturday. The last two mornings he was completely dry, and he has not had any day time accidents AT ALL for two full days! It was time! He was ready, I was ready. I was calm, he was calm and now he walks around SO tall and proud! (and so do I!)

I read this book a while ago and implemented the strategy, in a slightly modified version to fit our situation. It is full of awesome advice! Best of all, it worked!

Potty Train in a Weekend

Get ALL your potty training questions answered in one place!

Is your toddler ready for potty training? Is your child’s bedwetting normal?

Our Potty Training 101 Resource Page has ALL the potty training answers AND encouragement you need!