Momma Mondays: Potty Training

Erin had an awesome idea to help other moms out with various topics on her blog. That's were Momma Mondays comes from. So in an effort to help out with this week's topic, I am posting what I did with potty training and what worked for us.

First of all, I would like to say that the book Toilet Training In Less Than A Day was the key for us. It was easy to read and take notes. I had to update it for us since it was written in the 1970s. The point of the book is to teach you how to teach your child to understand the feeling of needing to go to the potty. It worked for us and I totally recommend it. We used the little potty seat on top of the big potty. It worked for us. The little stand alone potty just didn't work as well. So we got a step to help the girls reach the toilet and used the seat. They were also able to wash their hands pretty well with the step then making it a little more of an independent process. Also, you can't forget the big girl panties. I let each of the girls pick out a pack of panties so they would be more motivated.

I started potty training Mazie (now age 6) about two weeks after she turned 2. I was pretty pregnant with Jamie and decided I did not want two in diapers at the same time. I have to add here that Mazie was ready and showing great interest in potty training. We did not force her into it. In my opinion, it won't work if you push!

Mazie was awesome. We started on a Saturday and had lots of treats ready to go. Jeremiah left the house and it was just the two of us. I constantly asked her if she needed to go to the potty. She would run and try and sometimes would go and sometimes wouldn't. By the end of the day on Sunday, she understood the feeling and we were on our way to being potty trained. She loved the idea of being in complete control. She was very proud of herself (and we were too).

Mazie took about 2 weeks to get it during the night. She would have an accident every other night until the Killins made a huge deal about her going through the night without an accident. It seemed to make it a bigger deal to her to know that there was other support besides old mom and dad. After that we didn't have an accident (unless she wasn't feeling well-which can't be helped).

Jamie was potty trained by Dad. I will have him add something about how he did the system with her. We started her about two weeks after she turned 2 as well. Mazie and I went out of the house to babysit Kelsea. By about noon, Jamie called me on the phone to tell me that she peed on the potty. She understood a little faster than Mazie, I think, because of Mazie. She saw her big sister doing it and wanted to be like her.

I should add that calling people on a list was one of our treats. Each of the girls made a list of people they would call when they peed or pooped on the potty. This was special because they made the list. It was a huge motivator. There were people on the list we couldn't call, however. Like Pooh or Cinderella. So that was our first big outting after the potty training was down pat. We would go to Disneyland and seek out those particular friends to let them know our great accomplishment. The characters were great too. Really getting into it and making a big deal. For my girls that was a bigger deal than the candy/cookie treats that were used during the actual training period.

We also celebrated each time with a big Potty Party. Pizza, cake, treats, balloons. A big deal for a big accomplishment.

I need to add something here. I am not by any means an expert on potty training. I am just offering advice based on what worked for us. After reading all this, I am very curious to see how this will go for Jacob. We can't go to Disneyland after he is trained so I am going to have to think of a special outing for him, maybe the zoo? I have a little time to work on that one though.

So that's potty training, our way. I hope it helps anyone who is interested or starting soon. Good luck!