Potty training my first daughter, Goose, was exhausting… But incredibly successful! Now that my second daughter, Belly, is 18 months, we’re almost ready to start the process all over again. If there’s one thing I learned the first time around, it’s that you have to get your toddler completely interested in potty training before you can do anything else. It’s impossible to potty train an unwilling kid and you need to spend time planting the idea in their mind.
I have a list of 5 super easy ways to begin introducing the potty and get your toddler on board with the plan. Gradually incorporate as many of these ideas into your day as you can. The more you draw their attention to potty training, the more they’ll warm up to the idea.
Keep in mind that all children develop completely differently and some will show signs of potty training readiness sooner than others. Follow your kiddo’s lead, but use these methods to start generating interest.
1. Books
Reading is my number one favorite way to teach my kids about something new! Books have a great way of capturing abstract concepts and illustrating them to kids in a way that is simple and easy to understand. Just reading one or two each day will help your toddler!
Here are a few must-haves for your potty library!
2. TV Shows
I’ve seen a few toddler programs that refer to the potty, but the most comprehensive show I’ve come across is Elmo’s Potty Time! It uses several different characters to address a number of potty-related issues with songs and humor as well as straightforward discussions. I think it was great for building Goose’s confidence and helping her see how normal using the potty is.
3. Shop for Underwear
Get your toddler interested in potty training by letting them choose their own “big kid” underwear. Set aside a special time to take them to the store or have a couch date and browse Amazon together. There are so many characters, colors, and designs so your child is guaranteed to find something they love. The goal is that they’ll be so excited by their choice in undergarments that they won’t be able to wait to put them on!
4. Front Row Seat
Take hold of their natural fascination with the bathroom and let them go with you (they’re probably already following you in there anyway). Show them that big kids and grownups use a toilet to go potty and let them learn from your example. You can even offer to let them sit on the toilet like you so that they can start getting a feel for it.
This foldable potty seat is awesome for transitioning your toddler to a toilet!
5. Potty Talk
Don’t
Have you tried anything else to get your toddler interested in potty training? Leave a comment and tell me all about it!
Check out my 4 Important Steps for Potty Training for a complete overview of how I potty trained Goose. And visit my Potty Training Gear list to be sure you are properly equipped for this adventure!
Talk to you soon!
Potty training is such a blast! I had 4 little boys back to back and I must say it made my life so much easier. They were always competing with each other so it worked out great.
That’s awesome that your experience was so positive! Potty training kids who are close in age totally makes a difference!
I’m pretty sure Elmo is responsible for potty training my kids! That tip WORKS!
Yay Elmo! I don’t what the appeal is, but my kids will always listen to him!
Thanks for sharing! I’m going to start potty training this weekend so I will use some of these to help.
Hi Sha’ree! That’s so exciting for you guys! Make sure that you refer to my comprehensive potty training post to learn about our entire process. Good luck!
thecinnamonmom.com/pottytraining
Those are great ideas! I have a ways to go yet, but I’m saving it for later!
Thank you, Ryanne! I hope this helps with your future potty training!
Potty training was fun for us. Luckily our daughter cooperate very well, there was few accidents here and there but still we are thankful how well she did. Sometimes potty training can be handful but I think it’s about doing something to interest the kid whole potty training.
Thanks for the comment, Anna! I’m glad that you had a positive experience potty training your daughter!
We will be back to potty training pretty soon. Our little one will be two in December.
Hi Carmen! This is the perfect time to start planting that seed of interest! Good luck to you and your little one!
These are such great ideas! I especially love the books and underwear idea!
Thank you, Kaila! My first daughter was so captivated by the idea of her very own big girl panties!
Great post! Thanks for the tips. We’re currently potty training our 2 year old before we take off for full time family travel. Any tips for night training?? That’s what we’re struggling with right now.
Hi there! I wrote a more comprehensive post that you should definitely check out for the actual potty training steps we took. We were able to have my daughter sleep in panties and we’d wake her up once in the middle of the night to go potty. That only lasted about a week, though. She was pretty easy to night train. Cutting off liquids at a certain time definitely helps.
thecinnamonmom.com/pottytraining
My son LOVES the P is for Potty book with Elmo. Books were a great help with potty training. Not only for getting him to understand the process, but also keeping him occupied while he sat on the toilet for 10 minutes waiting to go, lol!
Hi Lydia! Yes, books were absolutely essential for those long potty sessions!
My 2-year-old is great with potty training as long as he’s home but if we’re out in the streets… not so good. Might look into one of these books to have him be more aware of it.
Hey Ana! Potty training is a process. Books always help around here, but he’ll catch on when he’s ready!