Potty-Training Success Tips

What worked for this mom might work for you

By Go-To Mom Amy Blanchard , Wilton, NH

Last month I wrote about potty training troubles: my frustrations, my daughter's indifference, and the whole messy experience. I knew the next time I attempted potty training, I would need more planning, more help and more patience if I expected success.

Well, it's done. She's potty trained! But how we got here is rather different than how I thought it would play out. Simply put, Ella was ready and I had a plan.

I also had the help and the time I needed. My husband was supportive, working with me to encourage Ella to use the potty. We trained her over the long Memorial Day weekend, plus I had one extra day off from work. So I had four good days at home with her to focus on potty training.

Plus, there were rules.

Rule number one: Stay bottom-naked and off the carpet (fortunately, our downstairs is about 80 percent hardwood). (Narmin's Note: We call this the naked & $75 method for potty training!)

Rule number two: If you're going to sit, sit on the potty chair.

Ella took to these rules just fine. And they were very helpful to me. Cleaning accidents off the wood floor was easy and I didn't have to rush her to the potty every time she had to go.

Eventually, she'd pee in the pot and the celebration would ensue. Stickers and chocolates were awarded. Hooray!

But four days into the training, she was still having accidents. Still not "getting it." And we were frustrated.

Then we went back to work and Ella went to Nana's house. After two big accidents on her new carpet, my mom had a "serious talk" with Ella. "You will not pee on my carpet again! Do you hear me?!"

Guess what? Fear works. The very next time Ella had to pee she stopped her playing, told my mom, and they got to the potty in time. No accidents! Yay!

In fact, she's been accident-free ever since.

Now Ella's pottying like a pro! She's still getting used to pooping in the pot, but she knows she has a special treat waiting for her whenever she does. And we now give her candied pineapple chunks for her regular potty-time treats. She loves them and pineapple's ability to aid in digestion gets her pooping more easily. A win/win all around!

A plan, rewards, and a little fear all helped. But Ella's readiness to learn was the real key to our potty training success.