+11 votes
by (990 points)
Planning to start my 2. 5 yr old son for potty training. - Any good resource/books you would suggest that has helped? - Any tips/tricks to make it less painful experience? FTM here. Please provide your suggestions.! Thanks in advance.  
Planning to start my 2.5 yr old son for potty training.

10 Answers

+11 votes
by (890 points)
Just go with the flow. My just over 3 year old boy is getting the hang of it and my barely 19 month old girl is already using the potty. Every kiddo is different. We kind of let them lead the process. It’s probably taken way longer but it’s been pretty stress free. They all figure it out eventually  all the best
+7 votes
by (5.6k points)
Wait until THEY are ready. don’t force it. I tried to force it with my older son and it was HORRIBLE. I waited for my younger son to say “I want to wear big boy pants to school (preschool)” and that was it!  
+3 votes
by (5.9k points)
Watch Daniel tiger on going potty. We got a potty watch basically it’s just a timer ⏱ watch that can be set for 30 min 60 min or 90 min it gives them some “control” over the situation! When the timer goes off they get excited to go! If you get frustrated they get frustrated. So make it fun lots of encouragement. We used stickers as rewards. Also we got happy face and sad faces for accidents if they filled up a chart with happy faces and they got to pick what was for lunch or snack or something like that accidents happen so make it easy to obtain happy faces. One time it was helping mommy make dinner (seriously I think I put ice in a bowl and asked them to stir it) or the creamed corn  or something was wasn’t actually necessary for making dinner but it makes them feel “big”. ❤️ I’m also super lame and one time it was yay you get to help mommy sweep the floor or mop the floor because at that age they’re still excited to help mommy Also let them watch YOU or daddy go to the bathroom I know it sounds odd but it’s helpful to watch by seeing and then your showing them what to do
by (5.9k points)
Ohhh and get yourself chocolate and reward yourself too  you’ll be less feisty if you get a reward too  Good luck!  
+5 votes
by (12.3k points)
We used the book oh crap with my first, but in retrospect it was a mistake. There’s a reason some kids take longer. Let them lead this. I’m not a crunchy mom, but we learned this the hard way. Lots of holding issues with our first. Second kid was begging me to wear undies and never had had an accident. Avoid the headaches and let them lead  
+9 votes
by (990 points)
Thank you so much!  
+4 votes
by (1.6k points)
I read Oh Crap! and Potty Training in 3 Days. They are similar and we did a combination that works for our son. I potty trained him a few weeks ago and he has done fantastic. It took more like 5-7 days to really get it but quarantine is the perfect time. I’m honestly bummed my 15mo is too little or I’d be potty training her too. Definitely read the books first. It will make your more confident and more aware. The first 2 days sucked but it’s done quickly. Buy a few packages of undies though!  
+5 votes
by (990 points)
Much appreciated.  
+4 votes
by (10.6k points)
Clear an entire week on your calendar and resign yourself to the task at hand. Skip training pants and go straight to underwear during the day and diaper at night. Give lots of juice to drink so he gets plenty of potty practice. Find out about how often he needs to pee and play a race to the potty game every time a timer goes off. Turn on the water faucet and try to get him to wait 15 or 30 seconds. If using a real toilet maybe try getting Daddy or big brother to teach him to aim at Cheerios.  
by (990 points)
@paternal thanks for the tips.  
by (10.6k points)
Everyone is right if he resists just wait. Making it a game is your best bet.  
+3 votes
by (1.5k points)
Don’t force it. If he doesn’t seem ready once you start, it’s ok to take a break for a month and try again. My son was 3y2m when he finally potty trained.  
by (990 points)
@epidermis I see. Sure will keep that in mind. Thanks.  
+2 votes
by (2k points)
I've been doing potty training for the last 2. 5 weeks. I agree, no forcing them. I did a timer every 30min and it worked for my son. He liked the potty seat in the big potty, instead of the one on the floor. I did a lot of positive reinforcement too. Best of luck!  
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