I’ve done it three times already and each time was like trudging through my local car wash getting slapped, whopped, and sprayed from each direction. Potty training is the worst. I dread it each time one of my kids turns two and have to decide on which of the potty training methods I’m going to use. I’d rather run a marathon dragging empty tin cans behind me like a wedding procession except the sign would say “Just Potty Training.”
And now, with my bookend child on-deck, I’m trying to psych myself into potty training one last time. It’s funny how even in toilet training, each kid is so different. Some grasp it like an Otter Pop and some are like trying to teach a wily cat how to use the toilet. I have no idea what to expect out of this last one, so I did a little research on the latest potty training methods. Here are the top six methods that parents are swearing get results.
5 Potty Training Methods: Which is Right for You?
1. Wait & See
What it is:
As a parent, you gauge the readiness of your child, but don’t pressure her. Around 18 months, you can show her the potty and how you or her older siblings use it. She can try if she wants, but no biggie. Maybe you put a little potty seat in the bathroom in case she ever wants to try. This is definitely the most relaxed of the potty training methods.
The Good:
This is an easy-going method that doesn’t end in tears. It’s a gradual process and gives the child the freedom to choose when she is ready.
The Bad:
It may take a looooong time. If you don’t mind buying diapers for the duration of the wait and see method, then go for it. Forty percent of toddlers aren’t trained by the age of three anyway.
Is it right for you?
If you are a patient person who doesn’t mind waiting in long grocery checkout lines, this may be the method for you! It’s also great for strong-willed kids who are going to do things on their own time anyway.
2. Booty Camp
What it is:
You’ve probably heard of the boot camp style of potty training. Basically, you and your toddler hunker down over a weekend or for a week, not leaving the house and focus solely on peeing and pooping in the toilet. It involves drinking—not you silly; unless a week of straight potty training drives you to that. Your toddler drinks lots of water, juice, etc. giving them plenty of opportunities to potty train.
The Good:
The booty camp style forces you to concentrate all your efforts on potty training. No getting distracted by errands and no worry about accidents in public because you don’t leave the house. The biggest upside is that it’s fast.
The Bad:
The booty boot camp is so intense its known to induce tears and four-letter words.
Is it right for you?
If your toddler has a jovial, cooperative personality, this could totally work. But if he is not quite ready yet, maybe try a lighter method. If you don’t commit yourself to the nearest loony bin afterward, I’d call potty training boot camp a success!
3. Training Pants Transition
What it is:
Instead of switching immediately from a diaper to underpants, parents introduce training pants, which are a slightly glorified version of the diaper. Kids get that wet sensation that tells them they’ve peed, but you don’t get the mess on your carpet.
The Good:
The mess is contained, they are easy to pull on and off, and are a good transition to teach your kiddo pee and poo awareness.
The Bad:
They cost a lot, are still basically a diaper, and lengthen the amount of potty training time for toddlers who come to rely on the safety of a sponge between their legs.
Is it right for you?
Yes, if you’re not quite sure your child is ready for potty training yet. This is a good way to test out the waters. Also, it eases a lot of the stress and anxiety of making and cleaning up accidents.
4. Going Cold Turkey
What it is:
Some parents believe in just ripping the band-aid off. Going cold turkey in potty training means jumping straight from the diaper to underpants, or simply to naked time. This method takes the safety of a diaper away from the very beginning.
The Good:
It immediately teaches little ones the sensation of going #1 or #2. If it’s warm outside, going cold turkey can be a great way to potty train because you can spend a lot of time outside. You can even bring the training potty out there with you.
The Bad:
It’s definitely the messiest potty training method. Just imagine taking the lid off a mustard bottle and giving your toddler free reign of the house.
Is it right for you?
Maybe, if you’re just sick of buying diapers and if your patience has run out.
5. Prizes, Prizes, PRIZES!
What it is:
You offer all the incentives you can think of: a treat jar, sticker chart, a trip to the ice cream store, or fancy schmancy underwear. This positive form of potty training is full of fun! Every attempt gets a high five and a “Great job!” Little Suzy gets to call grandma and everyone makes a big deal out of her going potty in the toilet.
The Good:
Incentives are super motivating. Oh, and fun too!
The Bad:
It may condition your child to expect a prize for every action.
Is it right for you?
If your child responds well to incentives, then yes!
***
Of course, you can always customize your own potty training methods by taking a little bit of this and a little bit of that…like building a Subway sandwich.
I could tell you plenty of potty training war stories that would make your nose crinkle and your eyes water, but maybe that’s another post for another day. All I’ll say is that my washing machine will never be the same. Good luck in your potty training endeavors and feel free to share below!
*All photography by Melodee Fiske.
Denise Goodrich says
I have to add my 2 cents regarding potty training ! As a Mom of 6 it was important to ditch the diapers ASAP. I always found the naked training the best way to go, this was the only way they are reminded that the diapers are gone !! Pull ups are just glorified diapers, 2 yr olds can’t tell the difference. I would put a longer dress on the girls and comfortable pants or shorts on the boys and it wouldn’t be too long before it was mastered !!!
Ashley B says
So I have a 2 yr old girl who is currently in pull ups and will occasionally go in her potty but it’s hit or miss. So our biggest problem is no matter what I cannot get her to stop taking milk in her sippy cup to bed! We’ve tried lowering the amount each time to completely taking it away even though she has milk at dinner she gets really upset if she can’t have it. So with that being said, do I go to panties during the day and pull up at night?
rcl says
Mom of six as well, and the 5 kids who have potty trained thus far all did it in less than a week switching straight over to underwear and going to the potty-whether they needed to or not-every 15-30 minutes (gradually increasing the time frame). By day 3, I didn’t even need to set the timer, just asked frequently, and typically by day 5, we are doing great. No muss, no fuss-straight forward expectations, positive reinforcement, logical consequences (you pee on the floor, you will do most of the cleaning, and you will help wash out your undies), and that’s it. We talk a ton about the routines and the sensations to make the child more cognizant of what is happening, and that really helps too. I don’t understand pull ups personally…I find them to be quite confusing for the child. I also think rewards can lead to power struggles. I just find taking a very non-nonsense, rational approach to this that reflects day-to-day routines to be the most effective.
martin says
I am sharing my experience with potty training, I had so much trouble potty training for my first born son and I did lot of review for best potty training, I came across a great online guide that gave me specific methods to potty train my son, which got him completely trained in under a week! I have since used this for my other relatives also and had the same great results with him. If you looking for potty training
check this >>>( go2l.ink/potty )<<< One of the best guides I referred to my friend as well.
Jessica says
We also did the naked potty training for our two older ones, although it was slightly different than described above. We watched for signs of readiness and took a week “staycation” at home over the summer (so in a way, it was almost like a combination of a few different methods listed above). Acquired free hand-me-down potties from friends in the preceding weeks, so when the time came, we had 3 or 4 potties altogether. Placed one in the kitchen, one in the living room, one in the bedroom, and one in the bathroom. On Day 1, had kiddo naked from waist down and spent the day almost entirely in the kitchen watching movies, coloring, etc. Back to diapers for naptime and overnight. Expanded territory to the rest of our small house for day 2. After 2 or 3 days, let kiddo go outside briefly with loose shorts but no underwear. By the day 5 or so, kiddo was ready to go to restaurant or whatever with lots of advance planning (bathroom before, etc.). When the new week started, kiddo was ready to return to daycare/preschool and my recollection is that there were very few accidents. I can’t recall how long we continued the naptime/overnight diaper/training pants, but it doesn’t seem like it was all that long. Maybe a few months? For us, the “naked” method was a successful experience.