Six ways to survive potty training

Potty training is one of the rare occasions where your little one is definitely in control – each child will go at their own pace. There are some tell-tale signs that will help you know that they might be almost there. For example; if they show an interest in using the toilet, are dry for a few hours at a time, or routinely hide behind the door when they do a poo, it could mean they’re ready to try potty-training.

Depending on when your child is ready to go, it can be handy to wait for a spell of fine, warm weather (cross your fingers, everyone) so that they aren’t wearing bulky clothes, or things like tights that can be awkward to take off. It also often means you can be outdoors a bit more, which might be good news for your floors!

Try keeping spare underwear, trousers/skirts and socks in easily accessible places – in the pushchair, in the car, at nursery, in your bag, or at friends’ or relatives’ houses that you visit regularly – so that you can magically produce them when the inevitable accidents happen.

Whenever you decide to begin potty training your little one, you'll probably hear lots of different advice from friends, family and other parents. You might find some tips more useful than others, but try not to feel pressured to do things that aren't right for you and your little one. Different approaches work for different children, and it's fine to just nod and smile if you're given too much 'helpful' input!

Toddlers don’t need presents or huge fanfares when they successfully use the potty, but a bit of recognition goes a long way. A high five from you, a round of applause, or a new sticker on a reward chart will help little ones know they've done well (and remind you that you're doing a great job!).

Whatever else happens, try to stay relaxed – potty training can be a stressful time for little ones and adults. When accidents happen, reassuring your toddler calmly that everything’s okay and they can always try again will be helpful. If you can, avoid potty training close to big events like a house move or a wedding, and start when your child’s routine is fairly settled.

Remember that even though potty training can sometimes seem endless, your little one will get there. Stay strong, everyone, you're doing great work!

Now, where did we put that stain remover?

You can find more information about night-time potty training here.