Hey there, I’m Jessica—mom of three, lover of checklists, and survivor of potty training season (barely).
If you’re reading this, chances are you’ve got a tiny human in your house who’s about to trade diapers for underwear… and you’re somewhere between “Is it too early?” and “Why is there pee on my couch?”
Take a deep breath, mama. You are not alone.
Potty training is messy, emotional, hilarious, and a whole thing. But guess what? You can totally do this. It doesn’t have to be a power struggle or a Pinterest-perfect project. It just needs to work for you and your kid.
So here it is—my honest, unfiltered, mom-to-mom guide with the potty training tips that actually worked in our house. No gimmicks, just what helped us get through it with minimal meltdowns (mostly mine 😅).
1. Know When They’re Ready (Not When Instagram Says They Should Be)
I tried to rush my firstborn into potty training because everyone else was doing it. Big mistake. Every kid is different. Some are ready at 18 months. Others closer to 3.
Signs your toddler might be ready:
- They stay dry for 2+ hours.
- They hate diaper changes.
- They start telling you when they’ve gone potty.
- They can pull pants up/down with a little help.
My personal rule? If I had to bribe them just to sit on the potty for two seconds—they probably weren’t ready yet. Wait until they show signs. It makes everything smoother.
2. Pick a Weekend—and Go All In
When it was finally time, I cleared my calendar, stocked up on snacks, and committed to a long weekend at home. No errands. No outings. Just us, the potty, and a very confused toddler.
We called it “Potty Bootcamp.”
(Yes, I made a sticker chart. No, I don’t regret it.)
💡 Hot tip: Set expectations with your partner. You’re gonna be tag-teaming. And trust me, you’re both going to need a laugh by Day 2.
3. Ditch the Diapers (During the Day)
Once we committed, we went cold turkey on diapers during awake time.
We picked out “big kid undies” together—unicorns for my daughter, trucks for my son—and made it a huge deal. Then we let them wear just undies around the house for the weekend.
Yes, there were accidents. Yes, I did way too much laundry.
But they felt the difference, and that’s what helped it click.
4. Set the Timer (Even If They Say No)
Toddlers are busy. They’ll deny they need to go while dancing like they’re in a Beyoncé video.
So I set a 15- to 30-minute timer all day long, and every time it went off, we’d cheerfully say:
“Let’s go sit on the potty and try!”
Not forceful. Not scary. Just consistent.
We even made up a potty song (you don’t want to hear it) and did a silly potty dance every time they tried—even if nothing happened. Because for them, trying is winning.
5. Reward the Wins (Even the Tiny Ones)
Forget the “experts” who say rewards are unnecessary. Around here, stickers and mini marshmallows made us all a lot happier.
Here’s what worked for us:
- Tried sitting: Sticker
- Actually peed: Two stickers + a marshmallow
- Pooped in the potty: A party and a prize from the potty treasure box
🎁 Potty Treasure Box = a Dollar Tree bin filled with small toys, crayons, and glow sticks. Trust me, it works.
6. Expect Accidents (And Don’t Freak Out)
Repeat after me: accidents are part of the process.
There will be pee on the floor. Possibly poop in places it shouldn’t be. You will wonder why you started this.
Keep it calm. Clean it up. Say, “That’s okay! Next time we’ll try to make it to the potty.”
Then move on. No shame. No lectures.
One day, they’ll get it. Just like they learned to walk, talk, and throw tantrums in Target. 💁♀️
7. Portable Potties Are a Game-Changer
We kept a potty in the bathroom and a little seat in the living room during the first week. It made it easy for them to get there in time.
Also, get yourself a travel potty. Keep it in your car for parks, long errands, and emergencies.
Because nothing says “mom life” like your toddler yelling “I HAVE TO GO!” when you’re stuck in traffic with no bathroom in sight.
8. Nighttime Training Is a Totally Different Thing
We didn’t do nighttime potty training at the same time. That’s a lot of pressure on a little body.
We kept diapers (or pull-ups) for nighttime and naps, then slowly phased those out months later—once they were waking up dry consistently.
No shame in the pull-up game. Sleep is sacred around here. 😴
9. Normalize the Process (Even the Gross Bits)
We read potty books (our favorite: “Potty” by Leslie Patricelli), watched potty videos, and even acted it out with stuffed animals.
We also talked about poop a lot. Yes, really.
We said “Everybody poops! Even Mommy and Daddy!” (TMI, maybe, but they found it hilarious.)
Making it normal and not yucky helps remove the fear and shame.
10. When It’s Not Working—Pause and Try Again Later
Here’s the deal: forcing potty training doesn’t work. If your child is screaming, hiding, or clearly stressed—it’s okay to stop.
Give it a few weeks. Try again when they’re a little older, more confident, or maybe just having fewer tantrums per hour.
That doesn’t make you a failure. It makes you a wise, tuned-in mama who knows what her child needs.
What I Wish Someone Told Me
- Some kids train in 3 days. Others take months. Both are normal.
- Regression happens—after travel, sickness, or just random weeks where nothing goes right.
- Boys and girls can be very different in how they train. No comparisons!
- You’re doing better than you think.
And most of all:
This season won’t last forever. You won’t be wiping butts and buying pull-ups for the rest of your life, promise. 💛
Celebrate Every Step
When my daughter finally pooped in the potty for the first time, we clapped like she just won the Olympics. I may or may not have cried.
Because potty training isn’t just about toilets. It’s about milestones. Growth. Independence. And watching your little baby take another big step toward being their own person.
So be proud, mama. Cheer loud. And don’t forget to treat yourself when it’s all over.
Now excuse me while I go burn our last pack of diapers in a ceremonial bonfire 🔥😉
Got a potty training win (or disaster story) to share? Drop it in the comments—I’d love to hear it! 💬👇
With love and a whole lotta Clorox wipes,
Jessica 💕
