My thoughts on potty training is that it will happen when it happens. As for now, we just want to introduce the potty so that it won’t be foreign. One thing about me, I like to listen to the wise. Even before EJ came into the picture, I have heard from several parents, including my own mother, that you shouldn’t force potty training. Ultimately, it will stress you and the little one out. So in keeping that advice in mind, I’m sharing three easy ways to introduce the potty.

Patience

Woosah! Yes, patience is key even when introducing the potty. When we first began introducing the potty, EJ would not sit down for two seconds-ha, it was awful! Sometimes he would even get fussy if we attempted to place him on the potty. I had to remind myself and my husband that this is new for him and it’s going to require some patience on both ends. We later figured out that he would stay seated on the potty if played Sesame Street video.

Routine

Routine is what you make it. For us, we decided that the best time to place EJ on the potty is first thing in the morning and when he returns home from daycare. We have been following this routine for several months now, which has been really successful in triggering EJ to use the potty– it’s like clockwork…it never fails!

Praise

Whether or not EJ urinates in the potty, we always praise him. A) I want to praise him for actually sitting down, because that really takes a ton of effort for a busy almost 14 month old and B) He most definitely receives the praise when he urinates in the potty.

For us adults, using the bathroom is a simple, easy task and sometimes we can forget how challenging this can really be for our little one(s). If you are interested in the Munchkin Arm & Hammer Potty Chair (pictured above) or the Summer Infant My Size Potty (not pictured), click the images below to direct you to the retailers website.

I really hope this was helpful to you. To stay up to date with Brown Mommy Diary, be sure to subscribe to the Brown Mommy Diary email list.