This review was made possible by Double Duty Divas and Pampers. I was provided the featured product free of charge to facilitate my review, but all opinions are 100% mine.
I’ve been dreading it for some time now, but my twins have turned 2 and the time has come to start potty training. I’m worried about training two at once and the work involved. Fortunately, with Pampers Easy Ups and some other tricks, I know we will accomplish it and the girls will reach our summer potty training goal.
The first step in potty training is always to make sure your child is ready. For my girls, I’ve noticed that they’ve started to show the following readiness signs:
* staying dry longer, especially during naps
* can pull pants up & down
* showing interest in the potty/bathroom
*showing signs of independence and takes pride in accomplishing something
*can follow simple instructions & completing tasks requested
Below are some of my other potty training tips – I hope to report back once my girls are trained about what worked / didn’t work!
Tips for Potty Training
Talk & Read about Potty Training
Before starting the process, read books, and talk about it. It’s good to get your child intrigued and interested before diving in. Fun books, like this one below, are a great way to get the conversation and fun going!
The Best Way to Learn is to Teach
Teach a doll how to use the potty and let the child (or children in my case) teach the doll. Through the act of teaching, they retain and understand more. It’s even better if you can use a doll that actually goes “potty” with using water.
Dress for the Occasion
Now that we are in potty training mode, I am putting my girls in dresses daily. It helps that it is warm weather now, too. It is easier for me to assist them and for them to access their Pampers Easy Ups. I especially love that they look and feel like underwear and the characters provide fun and excitement for your child.
Use Pampers Easy Ups
Pampers Easy Ups are a natural choice. They offer outstanding leak protection, even overnight. The absorbent core holds 25% more than other leading training pants – meaning fewer leaks! It makes the transition from diaper to Easy Ups a simple one.
Rewards
Have chosen rewards on hand. I like using stickers and having a simple goal like 3-4 stickers at first, so the child feels success. When they reach their goal, we reward big. Have things on hand for rewards that you know will be a treat for your child. I like small toys like this chalk set and bubble maker.
Factor in Your Schedule
Think about when you are potty training. Before the birth of a sibling or right before a long vacation may not be the best time. You know your child best, so you must think about when it will work best for them. Try not to put pressure on either. If you set yourself up with a deadline – i.e. having to be potty trained in time for school to start – it makes the process more difficult. Be prepared to stay close to home – but if you find yourself out and about, a portable potty may be helpful.
What potty training tips do you have?
Get Connected with Pampers
Twitter Party
If you are potty training this Summer, don’t miss the #PampersEasyUps Twitter Party for tips & tricks to make your journey more successful.
Pampers Easy Ups Twitter Party
Tuesday, June 10th at 8pm EST
RSVP: http://twtvite.com/
To participate, follow your hosts @DoubleDutyDivas, @BridgetteLA, @CeceliaMecca @AngieKcom @WhatMommiesNeed @RamblingChick, and our sponsor @Pampers.
Twitter Party Prizes to include:
100 ct Easy Ups,Sesame Street Portable Potty
100 ct Easy Ups, Baby BanZ Sun Protective Beach Tent
100 ct Easy Ups, Radio Flyer 4-in-1 Trike
100 ct Easy Ups and Splash Zone Spray N Splash Inflatable Water Park
RSVP: 100 ct Easy Ups
Giveaway
I am excited to be able to giveaway, to one reader, a Pampers Easy Ups Prize Package:
100 ct. Pampers Easy Ups
Portable Potty
Other Fun Items to kick off the summer for your child!
Estimated Value: $100
Enter to win via Rafflecopter below!
ONE ENTRANT PER HOUSEHOLD/IP Address; Open to Residents in the US. This giveaway starts on 6/10/14 and ends on 6/26/14 at midnight EST. By entering this giveaway, you confirm that you have read and agree to my giveaway rules, posted in the giveaway tab and in the Rafflecopter widget. This promotion is in no way sponsored, endorsed or administered by, or associated with, Facebook. We hereby release Facebook of any liability. The number of eligible entries received determines the odds of winning. All prizes will be awarded. Void where prohibited by law. (Cash and prizes estimated total value $100) Prize and fulfillment is the responsibility of and at the discretion of the sponsor. Please see all rules/guidelines before entering.
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It was helpful for my first son to try pooping on the potty first. He was in a predictable rhythm of going a certain time of day so I could anticipate when to get him to the potty.
i feel like being consistent is the most important
My tip is to limit drinks as it gets closer to bedtime for night training.
Dont rush it!
Patience is important.
I just put them on every so often but didn’t demand it
Make potty training fun and use a reward chart. Patience is key!
My best tip is to be consistent with whatever you do! Its important to let them know you mean what you say.
My advice is to be consistent, if you are going to potty train do it, don’t go back to diapers, this gets too confusing for the little ones.
My biggest tip would be to wait until they are absolutely ready, beginning too soon will only lead to resistance. We trained both of our daughters in a matter of three days by waiting until they were two and a half and showing signs of readiness. Now with #3, my first son, I am a little more clueless LOL! Will be reading the above tips for some ideas on training a boy.
all of your tips are helpful, especially the list of readiness signs – my son will probably start using the potty in a couple of months, and I didn’t really know how to tell if he’s ready.
I let my 3 year old watch his dad and older brothers go potty…its almost working 🙂 thanks
have no tips at all for potty training
I started by putting my daughter on the potty every morning and let her sit for several minutes until she peed
My tip would be to have patience, and don’t give up, Some days it feels like a never ending battle but it does have an ending!
Having Pampers Easy-Ups certainly would’ve made potty-training easier for me! My kids are grown now. I’m hoping to win this fabulous prize for my oldest daughter (who will be potty-training my grandson soon, I’ll be sure to pass on your suggestions)
We used stickers to get the kids to go they loved it having a chart was fun
anything done right takes time, try not to get frustrated with set backs
My tip is to wait until they’re ready – not force it when you’re ready.
Patience is very important
My best tips are to be consistent and give lots of positive reinforcement.
Be patient and set up a reward system that does not involve food.
The 3 day potty training method was great for my son. My daughter is about to get started.
I am just starting with my daughter now!
give rewards and be patient
We do rewards at our house – he gets an m&m for sitting down (trying), and an m&m for actually going. I like your idea of “banking” stickers though for a prize!
Definitely have patience and using a reward system helps.
Your most helpful tip in my mind was to factor in your schedule!
I tried treats such as cupcakes.
My best tip is very frequently ask your little one if they need to go potty so that it is on their mind often.
andysavi.mom@gmail.com
its so much easier if you wait until the child is really ready to potty train
My biggest tip? Stay relaxed about it. If you’re uptight…your child will be too
We are still working on potty training, but I think it is important to ask and remind your toddler to go potty a lot.
I really like your Reward idea. That’s what I would suggest to someone too, because it makes going enough exciting!
I put cheerios in the toilet so my little guy could practice aiming.
The one that was most helpful, was to just be encouraging and let them do it in their own time when they’re ready. Forcing it never helped, but letting my daughter be part of the process was really helpful- picking her own undies, her own kid toilet, etc.
I havent started yet but I think patience is most important
we have been making a huge deal out of it! Lots of praises, claps, hugs, etc. anything to make it exciting!
Lots of positive reinforcement.
Stickers work as a great prize and are super cheap!
To keep them sitting down read them a book or tell them a story it helps them stay relaxed.
My best tip is to take them with you to the bathroom every single time you go and sit them on their potty. They will eventually get it.
I haven’t yet, but I think the best tip is to factor in schedule.
We went cold turkey and went bottomless for a week and he was able to catch on pretty quickly.
I use stickers also. My tip us be patient and every child is different. My older daughter was potty trained righg after turning 1. MY baby now is over 2 and she has no interest in it at all!
I think your tip about using rewards will work very well.
Don’t rush the little one and be consistent when they have an interest in the Potty
The only tip I can offer is to be prepared to ignore most of the “advice” from others. Nearly every mom has tips to offer, but you’re the only one who knows your own child and who can determine when he/she is ready.
I like your rewards tip!
I like the reward system, I will try it with my 3 year old grandson I am training! thanks!
Being consistent and having patience is my advice! Thanks for the opportunity!
I like your “Dress for the Occasion” tip. For girls, this makes potty training that much easier.
I think that patience and consistency is key!
I think my best advice is to read their cues and take them potty when they ask, forcing them doesn’t seem to hep but rather makes them resistant to the potty
My biggest tip is to compare your child with others. Every child develops differently. They are ready when they are. All of my girls were praised for their effort more than anything!!! Thank you for this chance!
teffgossett@gmail.com
I like your tip to teach a doll how to use the potty.
Lots of patience! and give them LOTS of juice to drink, more opportunities to use the potty!
I like to use Cheerios so the kid can aim for them in the potty.
I used sticker charts with my three oldest. Here’s hoping it’ll work with my last one.
Best thing is not to rush it and be supportive and consistent
Praise is great when they do well and otherwise don’t force it , be patient and praise.
One thing I do is ask them many times a day if they need to go so they can start to recognize it themselves.
I agree with the whole let them show you their ready to start potty training by showing interest, in the bathroom when you go
the best thing was to throw a “party” when they went. Calling Grandma to help celebrate is good too.
we put underwear on our oldest but no pants so he did not forget he was training. also, lots of positive reinforcement.
My best tip is to potty train in the summer so you have less clothes to take on and off it makes it easier on you and your washing machine!
I use a lot of the same tips you listed. I like the dress for the occasion most.
I like the sticker idea, I think rewards are great encouragement.
My favorite tip of yours is to not pressure your child!! A lot of moms make the mistake of potty training when they’re ready, not when their child is ready.. and it causes a lot of stress and unhappiness. I have a 15 month old daughter who is constantly taking her diaper off and running into the bathroom like big sister.. I hope to start training her soon! Thank you for the opportunity to win such an awesome prize 🙂
babydjs_mom@yahoo.com
Have a lot of patience and be consistent.
Some tips for potty training: when children show readiness, train in warm weather on washable surfaces with as few clothes on as possible. You don’t want anything to slow down success! Also have the potty around so they are familiar with it before you start training! Good luck.
My kids respond well to rewards.
Take it slow patience is the key and also make it fun
i think that remembering to dress kids in clothes that are easy to take off is a big help in potty training
Definitely wait until they are ready!
My tip is that it’s easier to potty train in the summer because the child has less clothes to worry about. Every little thing helps.
Don’t try to start before the child is ready and physically able to hold their blander. They also need to be able to communicate that they need to use the potty. If you do try too soon, it can take a really long time and be frustrating for both the child and the parent.
Id say to have patience with it and try not to be angry about it.
Haven’t thought about teaching a doll first. Good idea.
I love the idea of book and dolls. It is a great idea to encourage using the potty.
Don’t sweat it, don’t rush it. Kids will use the potty when they are ready. Not encouraging, I know, but it is true.
I liked your tip on reading to them and giving them a toy to help teach them go to the potty. What do you dress a boy in for potty training?
Do not start before your child is ready. It will just end up being frustrating for you and him/her.
the sticker idea is great.
The best tip is reading about it, my son liked to copy lots her learned in books so it worked well for us.
The rewards tip has worked the best for us. Offering a sticker for the sticker chart or a gold star for the chart on the fridge works great. It gives them an incentive to do a good job.
jweezie43[at]gmail[dot]com
Don’t rush it.
be patient
Consistency is most important. Know your child’s habits and signals.
The way I did with both of my girls, is I made it a routine a consistent routine. No discipline if they had accidents , it happens. I’ve seen some parents who discipline accidents and that is a huge no no… it make the child feel insecure, guilty, and will in turn have more and more accidents.
We always use a reward system.
my kids were super stubborn but i found that less pressure and more rewards helped the most
I like the idea of stickers for rewards rather than a food item 🙂 Also, the idea of reading books about how ‘cool’ potty training can be is a great idea!
Make potty training fun by using a reward chart
What worked for me was a 2 hr. rule.
I made her try and pee every 2 hours.
My biggest tip for potty training is patience. Don’t feel like your child has to hurry up and be trained.
Patience is very important.
i don’t have any tips yet as we haven’t officially started yet. I let my daughter pick out a potty seat so she may be a little more invested in using it, but overall she is not super keen on the idea. ill take all the tips i can get.
I like the sticker concept.
We did potty treats. M&ms or cookies. Sure, he was wired for a few days, but it worked.
I love your reward system. It would be perfect for my granddaughter.
I like the rewards idea and using stickers it seems like it would make potty training fun
the only potty training tip i have is to be consistent and patient.
My son is not potty training yet, but he will be soon, and these are all helpful!!!
My tip is to never force them to go potty! they will tell you when they are ready to go!
I think following your child’s lead is the best tip I received. Every child is different and no one concept/technique will always work
demureprincess7(at)gmail(dot)com
When you make the change, stay strong and stick to the underpants. No more diapers.
Consistency is key…and making it fun.
Definitely agree with “dressing for the occasion” since it’s summer it’s easier to have the little one in dresses for ease in going potty.
I let my boy run around naked when he was potty training!
I think you’re tip about staying close to home is spot on. I think it’s unfair to expect them to potty train if you’re running hither & yon. This isn’t going to take the rest of your life. Plan on at least a week or two of staying around the house when you first begin potty training.
Don’t rush it. And try to make it a little game for them
Always aim down!! 🙂
I love the idea of teaching a doll to use the potty. We are getting ready to potty train in just a few months and I never would have thought of that.
Modeling after a parent is very helpful.
My best tip is to wait until the child is ready, thanks!
I set time to wake him up for potty training!
Thank You