My Potty Training Plan – For my 3rd Child

Thanks to Pull-Ups® for sponsoring todays discussion.

You might think that since I am now about to begin potty training my 3rd child that I am a pro, or it should be relatively easy for me. This would be a giant mistake! HA! Every time I start the potty training journey, I give myself a pep talk and tell myself a list of what NOT to do. I tell myself:

• Do NOT rush the process.
• Do NOT pressure the child to use the potty
• Do NOT get upset when they continually have accidents

All of these things are easier said than done. I was sure with my older two kids that I traumatized them in the process of potty training, though they seem to have turned out ok.

This time around instead of making a list of “do nots” for me, I am enlisting the aid of potty training helpers to make the process less stressful for me and my child.

From past experience, using technology and things I’ve learned since I last potty trained a child, here is my potty training plan:

• Start talking about it when your child is young. My baby is 21 months. We have gotten out the little potty for him to sit on and become familiar with.
• Enroll at the Pull-Ups Big Kid Academy to get personalized helpers. You can get lists of supplies you need to begin, make personalize rewards charts, get advice, fun activity ideas and more. It is a FREE tool I recommend using.

• Use a potty seat. There are potty seats that are more appropriately designed for little boys so make sure you get the most appropriate seat for your child. Perhaps, a child seat to be placed on the big toilet is most appropriate for your child.
• Gather you rewards for success potty deposits. Will you offer a sticker chart? A dance party? A toy? A treat? Figure out your system and get everything ready.
• Gather your patience. Sometimes potty training is a bump road and will require an extra dose of patience.
• Purchase  Pull-Ups with your favorite characters. We love the Jake and the Neverland Pirates ones!
• Let your child pick out big boy/girl underwear that they are looking forward to wearing.

The biggest piece of advice I have for anyone starting the potty training journey is to go at your child’s pace. It does no good to rush things, or apply pressure (I know, I have done this!) You cannot force a child to go to the bathroom in a toilet. Encouraging the child, having the potty training helpers available and in eye sight and talking about it will help. One day it will click. Everyone will be happy and there will be a celebration!

I also want to mention that even though I do have a child sized potty, none of my kids have ever used it. They practiced sitting on it, but when it came time to actually leave something in the potty all of them have opted for the big potty. So it’s nice to have, great for practice, but you might not actually use it.

I do know, one of the biggest helps and supports for me is the Pull-Ups Big Kid Academy. I have registered my son and have everything now customized to his stage. It’s been a couple of years since I’ve potty trained anyone so I have been brushing up on their advice, looking over their activities and I’m starting to incorporate them all into the process with my son. He isn’t quite ready to make the leap to potty training, but we are exploring the potty, practicing with Pull-ups and very open about the whole thing. Enroll in the Pull-Ups Big Kid Academy, it is awesome, you will love it!

What are your potty training tips? Do you have proven methods? I could use all the advice, techniques and support I can get this time around!