Potty Training Tips and Tricks (That Actually Worked For Us!)
Potty training: the magical milestone that sounds easy on Pinterest and turns out to be a mix of cheering, cleaning, bribing, and sometimes, literal hallway chaos.
As a mum of two boys (ages 4 and 2), I’ve been through it once and am gearing up for round two. And let me tell you — no chart, book, or well-meaning relative could fully prepare me for the real deal. But I learned a lot, laughed (and nearly cried) through the mess, and came away with a flexible, gentle approach that worked for us.
In this post, I’m sharing what we did, what worked, what didn’t, and how to stay sane through it all — because it’s not just about pee and poo, it’s about you and your little one learning together.
When We Knew It Was Time
With both of my boys, signs of readiness came just before they turned two. My older son started letting me know when he’d done a poo in his nappy or if his nappy was full of wee. I took that as the first gentle nudge that he was beginning to connect the dots between feeling the need to go and actually going.
He was 2½ when we officially started toilet training.
We didn’t rush it. I believe in watching your child, not the calendar. Every kid is different and develops at their own pace. Potty training is one of those things where pushing it too soon can backfire and make it more stressful than it needs to be.
Our Potty Training Method (Flexible + Gentle)
We didn’t follow any rigid method, but we did have a simple plan. It looked like this:
Day 1: Undies on. Asked him to go every 15 minutes.
Day 2-3: Every 30 minutes.
Day 4+: Asked him hourly. If he didn’t go, I asked again every 10 minutes until he did.
We had both a potty and a toddler seat for the big toilet, so he could choose what felt most comfortable. Giving that choice really helped make him feel in control — something toddlers love!
We also used a timer, which kept things consistent and fun.
What Worked (And What Didn’t)
We tried a reward chart. Two stars in, and he was over it. Honestly, praise and enthusiasm worked better for us. We’d cheer, high-five, and sometimes even dance after a successful trip to the potty.
I kept things light and fun. No pressure. If he didn’t want to go or got upset, we just tried again later or the next day.
One of the biggest challenges came when he had a complication that led to surgery — which understandably created a fear of the toilet. That meant we had to pause and start again from scratch. Even now, nighttime is still a work in progress and we’re still in nappies while sleeping.
I never made it scary. If he had an accident, I’d take him to the toilet, let him sit in case there was more, gently remind him about the feeling of needing to go, clean him up, and move on.
Accidents, Setbacks & Funny (Messy) Moments
Every parent has that potty training story.
Mine involves my son, a pair of too-loose undies, and a poo that somehow ended up scattered across the hallway. He was running around laughing like it was a game, and I was trying to keep my newborn from crawling into it like some wild survival challenge. Not glamorous. Not Instagrammable. But definitely real.
Potty training has its mess, and it has its magic. Don’t let the mess overshadow the milestones.
Gentle Parenting Through Toilet Training
I consider myself a gentle parent. That means I lead with empathy, connection, and trust.
During potty training, that looked like:
Following his lead with gentle encouragement
Making it fun, never a punishment
Respecting his fear post-surgery, and not pushing him when he got overwhelmed
Using praise and cuddles more than rewards or bribes
Some days we danced in celebration, other days we called it quits after breakfast. And both were totally okay.
My Top 3 Potty Training Tips for Other Parents
Don’t put pressure on yourself (or your child). It’s not a race. It will happen when your child is ready — and when you’re ready too.
Make it fun! Let them pick their own undies, get a fun potty, and turn it into an adventure rather than a chore.
Start with awareness. Before you even officially start training, help them pay attention to the feeling of needing to go. Narrate it. Acknowledge it when they tell you they’re wet or dirty. That connection is step one.
What I’d Do Differently Next Time
Honestly? Nothing.
Even with the setbacks and the reset after surgery, I’m proud of how we handled it. It wasn’t perfect, but it was gentle, supportive, and based on his pace — and that’s what matters most.
With my younger son, we’ll probably start in a similar way. He’s already showing signs of knowing when he goes, and I’ll keep following his lead.
Final Thoughts: It’s Okay If It’s Not A 3-Day Miracle
Instagram and TikTok can make it seem like everyone else is potty training their kids in three magical days with zero mess, zero tears, and stickers for days.
But here’s the truth: potty training takes time. It’s not just a physical skill — it’s emotional, mental, and sometimes unpredictable.
Your kid might pick it up in three days. Or they might need weeks, breaks, or extra support. Either way, you’re doing great.
Celebrate the wins. Laugh at the mess. Be proud of the progress. And don’t forget to take care of yourself along the way too.
You’ve got this, Mama.
If you’ve got a potty training story or tip that worked wonders for you, drop it in the comments below — because us mums? We’re all learning together.
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