When I started potty training my toddler, I went in with the mindset that he would tell me when he needed to pee. Boy was I wrong, I’d say, “Just let me know when you need to go, okay?” and wait for him to signal. To my surprise, it wasn’t that simple—at least not for us. While this approach might work for some kids, my son wasn’t quite ready to communicate in that way. He wasn’t giving me any cues, and we had A LOT!! accidents and frustrations before I realized I needed a different strategy.
What Didn’t Work: Waiting for Him to Tell Me
I had read that toddlers will eventually signal when they need to go potty, so I thought the wait-and-see approach would work for us. I gently encouraged him to let me know when he felt the urge, but after several unsuccessful attempts, I realized he wasn’t quite aware of the sensations that led up to peeing. It became clear that he needed more structured guidance, and I had to change tactics.
What Worked: Setting a Timer
I decided to take a more proactive approach and began setting a timer. At first, I set it for every hour, reminding my son to try using the potty. If he hadn’t gone after that hour, I shortened the time to every 30 minutes. This gave him frequent opportunities to practice and helped him associate the feeling of needing to pee with going to the potty.
For the first couple of days, it was all about consistency—whether he seemed like he needed to go or not, we’d try every time the timer went off. Some days were harder than others, but gradually, he started making the connection. After a few days of regular practice with the timer, something clicked. He began telling me when he needed to go before the timer even went off!
Why It Worked
I think the timer method worked for a few reasons:
- Consistency: Setting regular intervals gave my toddler plenty of chances to connect the sensation of needing to pee with actually going to the potty. The repetition helped him learn the pattern.
- Less Pressure: Instead of waiting for him to figure it out all on his own, I gave him frequent opportunities to succeed without making a big deal about accidents.
- Positive Reinforcement: Each time he used the potty successfully, I made sure to give him praise. This encouraged him to keep going and to feel proud of his progress.
What I Learned
Every child is different, and what works for one won’t necessarily work for another. The wait-for-cues approach may work for some toddlers, but in my case, structured guidance with the timer made all the difference. It’s important to adapt to your child’s needs and keep trying different methods until you find what clicks.
A Few More Tips from My Experience
- Stay Calm and Patient: Potty training can be frustrating for both of you, but it’s key to remain calm. Accidents happen, and they’re part of the learning process.
- Start When They’re Ready: Look for signs your toddler is physically and emotionally ready to start potty training, such as showing interest in the potty or staying dry for longer periods.
- Make it Fun: Consider using fun potty books, songs, or even a reward system (like stickers or small treats) to keep your child motivated.
In the end, potty training is a journey—some kids catch on quickly, while others need more time. For me, the timer approach turned out to be the winning strategy, and I hope it can help you too!
Remember, the key is consistency, patience, and celebrating the small victories along the way.
Happy potty training!
