If you walk into my kitchen and through my living room, I can tell you, it will not be a pretty sight. My beautiful, stubborn, strong-willed three year old daughter is in the midst of potty training. This part of parenting is definitely not at the top of the list for most enjoyable parts of being a mom. It tests my patience, boundary setting, and if I follow through with the boundaries. This journey is almost complete thanks to the 3-Day Method, but I still put a pull up on at night. And that is okay for now. We’ll get there. I keep telling myself this over and over and over again. I will share my story on potty training my strong-willed daughter. There are many frustrations, and potty training tips that I will share too (and some funny parts too. Potty training isn’t all bad).
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So on a Sunday, I put it into effect, and onto the calendar, that we were potty training. And Sunday was a rough day. Because I tried the 3-Day Method. It forced me to commit to potty training. My daughter wasn’t fully potty trained by day 3, but she fully understood pee (and poop) go into the potty! WIN!
GET UNDIES WITH KID’S FAVORITE CHARACTERS
My daughter loves Minnie Mouse and Bingo (from Bluey). I saw these adorable undies and got them as a motivation for her to want to wear undies. Also tried to put them on her and when she would pee in them, I hoped she would not like being wet. Neither option worked and I was getting so frustrated. She wouldn’t tell me she had to use the potty, she would just go.
Then my mother came to the rescue. She told me when she potty trained me and my sisters, she bought us Cinderella undies (or whatever Disney character we liked). And she would say, “We don’t want to pee on Cinderella.”
On the second day of potty training, I gave it a go. I told my daughter, “Pee goes in the potty. We don’t want to pee on Bingo.” And what happened the rest of the day? She kept peeing on Bingo. I was ready to give up! But I stuck it out. We went past the three days, but later in the week, she got it! She would tell at random times throughout the day, “Don’t want to pee on Bingo.” And she would run to the potty herself almost once an hour. What a big sigh of relief!
POTTY TRAINING TOILET SEAT
I will always recommend these potty training seats with the attached seat to anyone. My daughter can sit on the potty seat and if I have to go, I lift it up and use the normal potty seat. A big game changer, and so much nicer than a separate potty training seat. We have the potty too, but I honestly prefer the attached seat.
POTTY BOOKS
Potty books that teach kids about using the potty were a life saver. I truly believe this is what put us on the right track towards being fully potty trained. My daughter loves to read and she even reads it back to me. I love it so much. It’s a nice way to explain pee and poop go into the potty without saying it over and over again.
STEPPING STOOL
The stepping stool helps my daughter get up on the potty and to wash her hands at the sink. This has helped so much during potty training.
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DON’T GIVE UP
Potty training is hard work, for you and your child. Show them and yourself some grace. And remember it is a process. Each child is different. Some will be fully trained after the 3-Day Method. Or it may take longer. We’re over a week now and that is okay. I have a strong-willed daughter who fought me the whole way. She kept screaming and crying when I put on the toilet on the first day. One day, she peed all over the floor and on herself. As got her bath ready, she used the pee on the floor as a slip and slide. I threw her in the tub and went to clean up the mess. I was almost finished when I heard an “uh-oh”. She pooped in the bath tub. I told my husband about the slip and slide and he thought it was hilarious. Even though it was hard, I can say I see the light at the end of tunnel. Be patient! And keep at it. Don’t give up.
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I don’t have kiddos yet but saving this post for when I do! Great tips, thanks for sharing!
Good ideas!!! Thanks for sharing!
We aren’t ready for potty training yet, but this will be super helpful. My 2 year old has always been very strong willed. When he learns any new skill, he shows me that he can do it once, and then refuses to do it again for months. He’s not delayed, he just doesn’t do anything until HE is ready. I’m dreading potty training.
Yes! I understand this completely. It has to be their idea. You’ll do great with it though.
About to start potty training my 2 year old. Thanks for the tips!