On Sunday, February 12 at 1:30 p.m. Caroline tinkled in the potty. I’m 100% sure that if someone was recording us and we had the opportunity to re-watch it, we’d be on the floor dying of laughter. We just returned from SoccerTots and took a quick midday bath before naptime.  She was done with the bath and as part of our bathtime routine, she sat on the potty immediately after.  I ran into her room to get outift out when I heard her potty singing the hooray song…I ran into the bathroom picked her up and we started the victory dance.  There are a lot of ways to show some excitement over a successful potty visit, but Caroline responds well to a little “dancy dance” time ala Yo Gabba Gabba.

Well…since then…she sits on the toilet and expects me to pick her up and start dancing.  How do I explain to her that we only dance when she tinkles? And is now the time that we make potty breaks part of our hourly/daily routine?  Well, I certainly don’t have the answers to potty training excellence, so I whipped out my favorite Toddler Mommy Reference Guide and got reading.  Here are a couple of potty training methods they recommend.

“Practice Makes Perfect”

This is the standard-slowly introducing potty training-method.  Start to integrate potty time into your routine and after a successful visit, reward your tinkling tot.  Some methods of rewarding include: candy, dancing in the hallway, creating a progress chart , etc.

PROS:

  • Can be done on an as-available basis or built into a routine
  • Allows the potty training process to span over time
  • Limited accidents because child isn’t transitioned to undies until they’re ready

Cons:

  • May take a long time because of the less-concentrated approach
  • Risk learning the “I need to go” sensation because mommy/daddy are placing the kiddo on the potty instead of allowing them to learn the feeling
  • You may have several unsuccessful potty visits (Editors Note: SEVERAL….)

“Potty Training in One Day” 

This method has the parent show the child how and why you go potty. By using a potty training doll, the parent will feed the doll water, then have the doll go potty over a potty chair. After the basic concept is taught, the child then will teach the doll themselves how to go potty.

The “One Day” is actually what they call the “Big Day” where you spend  a few hours practicing proper potty training behavior. After this initial “first day” you will spend a few days following staying consistent with accidents.

For more information, please see Potty Training In One Day.

Pros:

  • Quick – This typically can be done in under 2 weeks.
  • Is a structured method
  • This was made famous by Dr. Phil

Cons:

  • Takes planning and preparation
  • Is a structured method
  • Requires follow through by parents
  • Made to look easier than it is for some

“The Naked Method”

You let your child go naked all day with a potty chair available at all times. Parents spend 3-5 consecutive days training. And at the end prepare to get your carpet cleaned to get some tinkle stains out.

Pros:

  • Simple
  • No planning or preparation
  • Great during the summer

Cons:

  • Messy – Lots of accidents
  • Not supported by experts
  • Child can become “naked potty trained” and still not understand with clothes on.

So…have you potty trained and if so, what method worked for you?  Share the deets because us AMB mommies need to know!

Vanessa Barry
Vanessa is the co-founder of Austin Moms Blog. She is also the Director of Communications for IDEA Public Schools, a nationally recognized network of K-12 public charter schools serving more than 15,000 students. She has a blast learning, loving and laughing with her four-year-old little lady, Caroline Grace.

2 COMMENTS

  1. Both of my older two were potty trained by 18mos because I am just not a fan of diapers!!! I just told them the night before that we would be wearing big boy underwear starting the next day. I sat them on the potty and we waited. and waited. and waited. Once he went he was rewarded with a chocolate chip. I sat a timer for 30 minutes and repeated the process. I could count how many accidents he had on one hand. I carried our Baby Bjorn potty chair with me EVERYWHERE along with my timer. When he heard the ding he knew it was time. I have a photo of Logan in the back of my car during the Trails of Lights because the timer went off! It took a LOT of consistency and I firmly believe that is the key! I will add, I learned quickly that my 2nd needed the timer at 25 minutes instead of 30.

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