Make Potty Training Easier- Home Prep

0:06Dr Cathryn:We often think the goal of potty training is simply getting rid of diapers. And while that's obviously part of it, how we get there matters even more. A potty journey can be low pressure, confidence boosting, and a powerful way to teach kids about body awareness and that they're the boss of their own body. There's so much talk about how to potty train a child, but that's not what we're diving into today. Today, we're talking about how to prep for potty training so we're ready for the ups and downs, so we can stay composed, and so the whole process can feel kind, nurturing, and even empowering.

0:47Dr Cathryn:Welcome to Toddlers Made Easy. I'm Dr. Catherine, your host, and today we're going to talk about how to prepare for potty training in a way that lets us focus on what truly matters, building confidence, not obedience. So let's get started. When your environment makes cleanup easier, the whole process becomes more manageable. So let's start with prepping your home. In the last part of this series, we talked about how to prep you. So if you haven't listened to it, I would suggest you go back and listen to part one. But the goal here is simple. Help your child go bottomless with less worry, fewer messes, and plenty of learning.

1:29Even spending an hour or two on this when you can helps your child connect that I-need-to-pee feeling with using the potty. So you see, you don't have to do a day or two of going bottomless. You can do an hour or two, or even an hour here and there. So let's get back to cleanup. First, keep cleaning supplies within reach. Accidents are truly the lessons that teach us kids this feeling means I need to get to the potty. There needs to be accidents for the learning to click. So first comes that, oops, I feel wet, I peed. Next comes, oh, I'm peeing right now. And then comes, that's the feeling I get when I need to pee.

2:14So you see, accidents are part of the learning process. They have to happen. They're not really accidents. That's why we call them lessons. So let's get back to how to tolerate these lessons without it triggering you or at least triggering you less.

2:31Dr Cathryn:So keep a small cleaning basket nearby with paper towels, gentle cleaner, wipes, and garbage bags. When everything needed to clean up accidents is handy, you can respond with that easy oops instead of an overwhelming, ugh, not again feeling. Next, protect the floors. Roll up rugs or cover them with towels for a few days. Some families use dog pee pads. They're not glamorous, but they're lower stress and cleanup time. And anytime the stress goes down, the learning goes up. Now let's talk about offering potty choices. Choices help toddlers feel in control, have both a potty and a big toilet ready.

3:15Dr Cathryn:The small potty is wonderful early on because it feels safe and stable and the child's feet stay on the floor, they feel grounded. If you're using the big toilet, add a stool and an insert because dangling legs can make kids feel wobbly and when they feel unstable, they tighten their muscles, which makes letting go harder. If you live on multiple levels, keep a potty on each floor if possible. Otherwise, just move the potty as you move around the house so it's always within arm's reach. The shorter your child has to go to get to the potty is going to mean fewer accidents. So keep that in mind.

3:53Dr Cathryn:Screens are another thing to think about. I know they're so tempting to use to get your kid to sit on the potty and stay on the potty, but screens disconnect kids from their body signals, just like when you scroll and then you suddenly realize, oh my goodness, a half an hour has gone by. Screens also become something to bargain for. One more paw patrol, and some kids hold their pee just a stretch screen time. So keeping potty moments screen-free actually helps kids listen to their body, which is the whole thing we're trying to get them to do in the first place. Now, here are a few extra home prep steps that make bottomless training much easier.

4:32Dr Cathryn:Clear the path to the potty. Move toys, blocks, or anything that might slow your toddler down. You don't need to prep the whole house. Instead, create a potty space for the first couple of days. Choose the room where you spend most of your time. Make sure it's an easy to clean area with toys and books in the potty nearby. This keeps your child close, keeps the learning going, and saves you from having to follow them all over the place. You can add a waterproof layer to your favorite furniture. Kids love climbing onto couches and reading chairs, even when they're bottomless. Also, keep a small trash bin next to the potty.

5:08Dr Cathryn:You don't need to run to the kitchen after every cleanup. Paper towels and wipes can go straight in, which keeps things simple and calm. Also, use gentle, kid-safe cleaners that neutralize odors. And if you have pets, consider blocking their access to the potty area. Dogs love investigating things like we all know, and of course, it's always the things we'd prefer they didn't. A baby gate or closed door keeps the space cleaner and less distracting. And one more simple tip, place a towel or a waterproof pad on chairs your child uses often so that they can sit there without you having to feel anxious about them soiling.

5:49Dr Cathryn:Now let's shift to preparing your child. Potty training doesn't start on the go day. It starts a few weeks before with tiny pressure-free warm-up lessons. Start by introducing the potty as a regular object around the house. Keep it out where your child can see it. Let them sit on it fully dressed. Read a book together while they sit. Let their stuffed animals use it. Everything you do here removes the mystery. Model using the potty or toilet. Kids learn by watching, so let them hear you say, oh, I have that need to pee feeling. I'm going to go sit on the toilet, and then let them see you sit and wipe and wash your hands.

6:29Simple modeling helps kids link the I need to pee feeling with using the potty. Then also teach them the skills they'll need, like pulling underwear up and down or their pants up and down. Also washing their hands, throwing their towel into a hamper if needed. These tiny rehearsals make the first day so much easier. Just imagine if you had to learn five things in the first day instead of just one. We want our kids just to focus on connecting the I need to pee feeling with getting to the potty and not distract them with all the other newness. Now, I've put together a simple guide called the five must-dos before starting potty training, and these warm-ups, they matter.

7:12So I gathered them in one place for you. If you haven't downloaded it, grab it. You'll find it in the show notes, the link to it in the show notes, and it makes everything smoother for both of you. And one last tip here. I suggest you visit public washrooms when you're out to build comfort level with these spaces before they're needed. Preparing your home and your child, it doesn't take long. Put these small steps into place and the whole process feels easier. Pick what you'll find helpful and skip the rest. And if you want a complete, big-hearted plan that walks you through every step from beginning, before, after, during, join me inside the Potty Training Made Easy.

7:53It's the gentle, big-hearted, no-pressure approach that helps your child learn while you stay connected and confident. Keep up the good work, and I'll see you next week.

8:23Thank you.