How We Survived Potty Training (and What Helped the Most)
If you’ve ever feared that there may be a surprise lurking inside the nugget-couch-castle you just built, then you are probably familiar with potty training.
Fair warning: this post gets real — we’re talking bodily functions, poop fears, and all the chaos that comes with it. But don’t worry it’s also full of realistic tips, gentle strategies, and a few laughs to help you (and your toddler) survive this stage with your sanity intact.
1. Don’t Rush It! Watch for Readiness Signs
It’s so tempting to jump in as soon as your child turns two, but every kid has their own timeline. Before starting, look for readiness cues such as:
- Staying dry for longer stretches of time
- Showing interest in what happens in the bathroom
- Expressing discomfort with dirty diapers
- Communicating clearly about when they go
If you’re not seeing most of these, wait a little longer. Potty training too early can lead to frustration for both of you.
2. Pick the Right Tools to Start
You don’t need a ton of gear, but the right setup can make a big difference. Here are a few items that made potty training smoother for us:
- Mini potty that looks like a real toilet — helps bridge the transition from diaper to a toddler potty, then to a normal potty without huge visual changes
- Favorite potty book — we loved Where Do You Poop? and P is for Potty! for making it fun, interactive, and laughable
- Transitional Underwear — that are easy to pull up and down, with extra padding to catch accidents
All of these were incredibly helpful, but the most important thing you can do is focus on how you approach things.
3. Talk About “Listening to Our Bodies”
One of the best phrases we used was “listening to your body.” Instead of constant reminders, we’d say things like:
- “What’s your body telling you right now?”
- “Does your belly feel full or empty?”
This helps kids connect the physical sensations with actions, building both self-awareness and independence. This is exactly what potty training is all about.
We practiced this during routine times: after meals, before bed, or anytime a sensation was likely to happen. And we modeled it too, by showing our child that we go in the potty when our body tells us it’s time.
4. Expect Setbacks (and Stay Patient)
We celebrated small wins, with every success turning into a cantina band dance party (he loves Star Wars). Even so, there was hesitation moving away from the familiarity of a diaper.
To give him some credit, he did do a very good job peeing on his little toilet. He used clear communication to tell us when he needed to go potty, he would run over there himself, and get excited to use the little flusher. But like many toddlers, pooping felt like a big and unfamiliar step for him.
Even the most “ready” kids hit bumps in the road. Regression, resistance, or fear of pooping are completely normal. Here’s what helped us:
- Stepping back
- Removing pressure
- Turning the process into something lighthearted instead of stressful
4. Make It Fun and Exciting (Yes, Even the Gross Parts)
After one particularly rough week, we decided to turn the process into a learning experience — and accidentally invented something that worked: The “Log Log.” (I know that title isn’t for everyone, but we got a good laugh out of it in our household :P)
I wanted him to feel proud and comfortable with listening to his body and letting it do what it’s meant to do.
I grabbed some craft supplies, made a simple observation chart, and let him describe what he saw (color, size, etc.). It sounds silly, but it gave him a sense of curiosity instead of fear. He felt like a little scientist instead of a nervous toddler.
Turning this into a science observation of sorts seemed intriguing enough, so the first poop after we made this chart we started to ask him questions, reminding him to look only.
Gross? Definitely. But this small shift worked. It turned anxiety into exploration. He got excited to answer these questions, so it distracted him from the uncertainty he was feeling. It was a way to shift his focus into exploration and learning, which is always a goal in this household. Soon enough, he wasn’t afraid at all.
I’ve made this available to download for free if you want to try it out!
You don’t have to make a “Log Log,” but you can borrow the same principle. Add humor, creativity, and control.
Here are some other ideas:
- Sticker charts or printable progress trackers
- Songs and dance breaks after success (we’re partial to Star Wars’ Cantina Band)
- Those fun books we talked about earlier
5. Stay Consistent — But Flexible
There’s no single right method. Some families swear by the 3-day approach; others take it slow over a month. The key is consistency, not perfection. Once you start, try to keep the same phrases, routines, and potty in use. But if something clearly isn’t working, pivot without guilt.
Potty training isn’t a straight line, it’s a loop of progress, accidents, and breakthroughs.
8. Things We Have Added Since
As his confidence has grown, we’ve taken small steps to encourage more independence, helping him recognize when he needs to go and manage the process on his own. Here are a few things that have made a big difference:
- Step stool + seat insert combo — Makes it easy (and safe) for toddlers to go “like the grown-ups,” while giving them a sense of ownership over the process. This also helped us, as we no longer needed to dump his little potty after every go 😛
- Light switch extender — Removing barriers, like needing help to turn on the light, builds confidence and helps them feel capable of handling everything start to finish.
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Final Thoughts
Potty training is one of those milestones that tests your patience. Every accident, every giggle, every small victory matters. If I could leave you with one thing, it’s this:
Go slow, stay kind, and celebrate effort over outcome.
Before long, you’ll realize your toddler has it handled and you survived another parenting chapter (hopefully without any hidden couch surprises). You’ve got this, one flush at a time.
❤️ Until next time,
