Potty Training Tips and Tricks

I can honestly say that potty training is something that makes me a little anxious to begin. Although I long for the diaper days to be over, I also dread potty training.

I am currently potty training Madelyn and I have realized a few things this time around while potty training:

• It is not easy. It cannot be done in a day. Did I mention that it isn't easy?

• Try to plan when to start potty training in advance. Going on a vacation? Wait until you are home to start potty training. Do not start potty training the month of said vacation.

• Have patience. There WILL be accidents. You will feel defeated. It's okay to feel defeated. Just keep pushing through it and have a plan.

• Don't start too early. I have heard many parents brag that they are potty training their one year old. Sure, introduce them to the potty. Have them sit on the potty while you are in the bathroom. But don't have your heart set on your child being "ready" to start. 

• Look for "signs" that your child is approaching the potty training age. 

• Have a reward system! Stickers, lollipops, buying their own underwear--potty training should be fun and exciting for your little one! 

• Be consistent with the timing of taking a potty break. Pull-Ups has a timer that you set as a fun reminder to your little one that it's potty time. Being consistent with potty breaks and following the guidance from Pull-Ups has helped me tremendously with potty training. 

• Staying home was helpful in the beginning with each of my girls. I tried to let my husband do the errands and running around. If it was necessary that we leave I would utilize Pull-Ups in case of an accident.

• I learned that Pull-Ups are GREAT for naps, bedtime, car trips. While at home my girls were in their underwear. Try out different methods and find what works best for your child.

• Make potty training a fun time for your child. It can turn very stressful for a little one very quickly. Come up with a fun plan. Talk about potty time and be excited! This should be a very fun and exciting time. If you feel like your child isn't ready? That's okay! Wait until you think they are ready and it will be a much more pleasant experience for everyone.

Pull-Ups are a great way to begin potty training. Not only do they have fun designs that your child will love, but they have a great community of tips, hints, tricks. One of my favorite things that Pull-Ups offers is the phone call from a Disney character! We had Cinderella give Madelyn a call and she LOVED it:

Below is a great way to get started with potty training. Remember, it may not be easy, but you will get through it. Good luck!

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I participated in a campaign on behalf of Mom Central Consulting for Pull-Ups. I received a product sample to facilitate my review and a promotional item to thank me for participating. 

Potty Training is NO Joke, Y'all...

 My sweet Bella...eating ice cream. With her hands *smile*

I did it. I decided that today is the day that my Bella will start with potty training. Let me fill you in on my day so far--I hope most days aren't like this...it will surely get better, right? Or is potty training one of those things where it gets worse before it gets better? I wish we were born potty trained...

*Told Isabella today was potty power day. She screamed but brightened up once I brought her potty chair to the living room with books.

*She was very indecisive on what underwear to wear...stars, Dora, flowers...decisions, decisions...

*She then wanted to go sans underwear...which I didn't mind...but kind of wanted her to get used to wearing them. I don't want her thinking commando is how we do things.

*After she had juice, water, etc we started the sitting on the potty. She sat there, we read Goodnight Moon together a few times. Nothing happened.

*She started screaming at me that she didn't want potty power, she was a big girl and other random sentences. After that her potty chair started getting thrown around the room--I'm serious! Haha! She was pissed and NOT happy about life...

*She then peed everywhere and screamed at me to get her potty {*sigh* I swear...I need Leo to pick up some wine tonite...}

*Life was good for awhile. She started accepting this whole underwear thing.

*Played outside in the hose while I scrubbed the back porch and trimmed bushes. No accidents. Came inside and she sat on the big toilet with her Dora toilet seat. She hollers out that she's done--and she went potty! Yeah! Gave her a quarter for her piggy bank {she's obsessed with it...}

*Then hell broke out...screaming about the piggy bank?! Not sure, but next round she'll be getting a sucker...she was beyond irate about having to wear a Pull-Up to bed, but got over it when I explained she didn't want potty on her pretty bed.

So, that's where we stand as of 2 pm today. One accident, one success. This potty training business? Yikes...I'm looking forward to getting over this hump and saving major $$$ from diapers...

Have you potty trained your little one{s}? Do you have any tips/tricks for me? I'm open to any and all suggestions--and if you had a super easy time--I'm totally jealous!