Once you determine it’s time to start potty training, it’s time to prepare your child for success. The right potty training pants are only part of the equation.

If you want to find success, you must begin by balancing a sense of humor against realistic expectations. You won’t accomplish potty training in a day. Whether you have the right potty training pants or not, it’s a process, not an event.

Pull up a chair, sit down, and read this list of quick potty training tips to get you started on the right track.

Potty Training Pants are Part of the Lesson

Place a potty chair in the bathroom and give your toddler ownership by telling them it belongs to them. Show them the differences and similarities between the grown-up toilet and their new potty. Encourage them to sit, with or without a diaper, while their feet are resting firmly on the floor or stool.

As your potty training toddler checks out their new chair, help them understand the pending process with clear language they will understand. When they rise, give them a fresh pair of potty training pants and make sure to tell them, “Good job!”

Once you have successfully interested your little one in the process, build time into each day where they sit on the potty without a diaper for several minutes. You can read a potty-training book or sing a song while they are sitting. Stay with them and make sure to offer praise, even if they simply sit without a tangible result.

Same as before, give them a fresh pair of potty training pants and tell them, “Nice try!”

Once your child starts exhibiting regular signs of needing to use the potty; squirming, squatting or squeezing their soft spots, react accordingly. Explain what is happening, cease your current activity, and head immediately to the potty.

Praise your child for their excellent communication. When it’s time to flush, allow your child to do the honors.

Remember the importance of good hygiene. Teach girls to properly wipe from front to back (to prevent spreading germs from rectum to vagina) and make sure both boys and girls learn to wash their hands after using the toilet.

Now you can tell your child, “High five!” while showing them that their potty training pants are dry and spotless.

To keep the train chugging down the track, you might want to consider some sort of reward system. For some children, a trip to the park or extra bedtime stories are most effective. For others, it is a special toy or book. Experiment to find out what works best and continue to reinforce your child’s effort to ditch the potty training pants with plenty of verbal praise.

Make sure all of your child’s caretakers, including babysitters, child care providers and grandparents, are consistent with your potty training routine.

After a long string of successful potty breaks, your child should be ready to abandon the potty training pants in favor of regular underwear. Take the time to celebrate this momentous occasion and take your child on a special adventure. Call a few close friends or relatives and allow them to crow, “I’m not in potty training pants any more!” This is something your child will remember.

Be patient, accidents will happen, especially when your child is tired or upset. When an accident happens, remain calm. Stick with a positive statement such as, “Oops, looks like you had an accident. Let’s go ahead and change you. Don’t worry, pretty soon you’ll always be able to make it in time.”

Potty Training Pants aren’t Forever.

Ditching the diapers is great, but leaving the potty training pants behind is even better. Be patient and the best is yet to come. Don’t expect a 3 day potty training adventure. Rather, anticipate a steady growing period for you and your child. Remember, it’s your family.

Many people will try to tell you when to start potty training, but only you know when it’s time to put the potty training pants to pasture.

Potty Training Power…AWAY!!!