Who said potty training was hard? I’m serious, we truly have been blessed. This toddler stage for us was really easy. Literally… On the other hand, my husband and I don’t even remember our son JeNoah being a baby. It’s funny how that happens.

It was like waking up one morning and saying, “I’m going to use the bathroom today!” It happened like what seemed so fast. I never realized at the time, when I bought my last box of diapers, it was the LAST box. I was happy and yet sad at the same time.

Signs that they are ready to start potty training:

• Your toddler begins to remove his diaper.
• Waking up from a nap with a completely dry diaper. YES!!! This means they are in the early stages of learning bowel control.
• Can understand and follow instructions. You can say go to the bathroom and they know what you’re talking about. This is a sure sign that your child is ready for potty training.

So once my husband and I realized it was ready, we let the FUN start. Don’t stress about potty training. Just try to relax and have fun with it. Here are some steps to make the transition quick and easy.

Steps to make potty training easier:

1. Take your child shopping and let him choose his own underwear. make a HUGE deal on these. They take so much pride in wearing their big girl or big boy underwear. My son said “choo choo, or Diego.” He wanted to put them on. I really think the characters’ underwear made a difference, rather than just the plain ones.
2. Buy a chair to go to the bathroom.
3. Wear underwear on your child at all times during the day. Except at night and nap time. Face it, they are going to have accidents. Young children are so busy that they forget to use the bathroom. Bring extra changes of clothes, shoes, socks, anything you need if you need to. Carry extra clothes wherever you go. Pull-ups for me are like a diaper. They are more for parents and I think they prolong the process of going to the bathroom. Now we use pull-ups at night. During the day absolutely do not wear them, even when you go to the store. Or in the car. It really made a difference and it seemed like potty training went faster.
4. Cheer, clap and dance when they use the potty. Every time my son went, we clapped, danced and clapped our hands. She loved it and encouraged him to keep going. Within days he was using the potty by himself. He just went to the bathroom by himself and left. He did so well and I was so proud!

I hope some of these tips will help your young child adjust to the process. It can be scary for them. Nighttime and nap time are other potty training hurdles in and of themselves, so keep an eye out for my article on them. I am a housewife who gives me advice that was useful to me. These methods may or may not work for your young child. You really have nothing to lose by trying it. I wish you and your toddler success throughout this potty training process. Be blessed!!!